When the people are loaded with jewels, and covered with the marks which I have just described they think themselves to be highly ornamented But after all, “they are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.”  The “Pearl of great price,” to which I before alluded, the only Pearl which is of any value in the sight of Him who looketh at the heart, and not at the outward appearance, they possess not.  Millions in this Eastern world have never even heard of it.  O how incessantly ought you to pray that they may come into possession of it.  How gladly should you give your money to send it to them.  I wish, in this place, to ask you one question.  Who of you expect, by and by, to become missionaries to this land, to tell this people of the Pearl of great price?

CHAPTER III.

DRESS, HOUSES, EATING, AND SALUTATION OF THE HINDOOS.

My dear Children—­The dress of the Hindoos is very simple.  A single piece of cloth uncut, about three yards in length and one in width, wrapped round the loins, with a shawl thrown over the shoulders, constitutes the usual apparel of the people of respectability.  These garments are often fringed with red silk or gold.  The native ladies frequently almost encase themselves in cloth or silk.  Under such circumstances, their cloths are perhaps twenty yards in length.  Most of the native gentlemen now wear turbans, an ornament which they have borrowed from the Mohammedans This consists of a long piece of very fine stuff, sometimes twenty yards in length and one in breadth.  With this they encircle the head in many folds.

Those who are employed by European or Mohammedan princes, wear a long robe of muslin, or very fine cloth.  This also, is in imitation of the Mohammedans, and was formerly unknown in the country.

The houses of the Hindoos are generally very plainly built.  In the country, they are commonly made of earth, and thatched with straw.  In the cities, they are covered with tiles.  The kitchen is situated in the most retired part of the house.  In the houses of the Brahmins, the kitchen-door is always barred, to prevent strangers from looking upon their earthen vessels; for if they should happen to see them, their look would pollute them to such a degree that they must be broken to pieces.  The hearth is generally placed on the south-west side, which is said to be the side of the god of fire, because they say that this god actually dwells there.

The domestic customs of this people are very different from ours.  The men and women do not eat together.  The husband first eats, then the wife.  The wife waits upon the husband After she has cooked the rice, she brings a brass plate, if they are possessors of one; or if not, a piece of a plantain-leaf, and puts it down on the mat before him.  She then bails out the rice, places it upon the leaf, and afterwards