The professional dress of the Alme consists of a short embroidered jacket, fitting closely to the arms and back, but frankly unreserved in front, long loose trousers of silk sufficiently opaque somewhat to soften the severity of the lower limbs, a Cashmere shawl bound about the waist and a light turban of muslin embroidered with gold.  The long black hair, starred with small coins, falls abundantly over the shoulders.  The eyelids are sabled with kohl, and such other paints, oils, varnishes and dyestuffs are used as the fair one—­who is a trifle dark, by the way—­may have proved for herself, or accepted on the superior judgment of her European sisters.  Altogether, the girl’s outer and visible aspect is not unattractive to the eye of the traveler, however faulty to the eye of the traveler’s wife.  When about to dance, the Alme puts on a lighter and more diaphanous dress, eschews her slippers, and with a slow and measured step advances to the centre of the room—­her lithe figure undulating with a grace peculiarly serpentile.  The music is that of a reed pipe or a tambourine—­a number of attendants assisting with castanets.  Perhaps the “argument” of her dance will be a love-passage with an imaginary young Arab.  The coyness of a first meeting by chance her gradual warming into passion their separation, followed by her tears and dejection the hope of meeting soon again and, finally, the intoxication of being held once more in his arms—­all are delineated with a fidelity and detail surprising to whatever of judgment the masculine spectator may have the good fortune to retain.

One of the prime favorites is the “wasp dance,” allied to the Tarantella.  Although less pleasing in motive than that described, the wasp dance gives opportunity for movements of even superior significance—­or, as one may say, suggestures.  The girl stands in a pensive posture, her hands demurely clasped in front, her head poised a little on one side.  Suddenly a wasp is heard to approach, and by her gestures is seen to have stung her on the breast.  She then darts hither and thither in pursuit of that audacious insect, assuming all manner of provoking attitudes, until, finally, the wasp having been caught and miserably exterminated, the girl resumes her innocent smile and modest pose.

VII

JAPAN WEAR AND BOMBAY DUCKS

Throughout Asia, dancing is marked by certain characteristics which do not greatly differ, save in degree, among the various peoples who practice it.  With few exceptions, it is confined to the superior sex, and these ladies, I am sorry to confess, have not derived as great moral advantage from the monopoly as an advocate of dancing would prefer to record.