XVII.—­INTERNAL CITIES—­SUNSHINE PICTURES

Special precautions against excessive heat in the extreme season—­Internal cities built in galleries—­Their advantages—­How light admitted—­Flowers—­Beauty and odours increased by electricity—­Communication between the palaces in the External and Internal World—­Narrator’s summer-palace—­The pictures representing principal events of his reign—­Sun power utilised—­Sunshine:  how fixed on the canvas

XVIII.—­THE PICTURES.

     Subjects of some of the pictures in the Narrator’s “Internal World”
     Palace

XIX.—­WOMAN.

Tendency of her education—­Happy and contented—­Marked difference in education of the two sexes—­Beauty aided by early care—­Former practices and consequences—­Ravages of time—­Women now lovely in age as in youth—­Beauty regarded as a precious gift from Heaven—­Cosmetics for its “preservation”—­Wrinkles—­Skin and complexion—­Hands and feet—­choosing by hand—­How effected—­choosing by foot—­Expedients used when hand or foot inclined to coarseness—­girl’s dormitories—­Cleanliness—­Separate sleeping-rooms—­Reasons—­Communication with night-watchers—­Precautions—­Mode adopted to ensure early rising—­ Prayer not till after repast—­Reason why old custom changed—­Careful discipline until marriage—­Luxurious habits permitted to married ladies—­Instance of the elastic “frame” cushion—­The self-acting fan

XX.—­CHOICE OF A HUSBAND.

Means taken to secure congenial husband—­Marriage councils—­Choice of husband, how arranged—­Maiden’s right to nominate—­The thirty-one evenings—­The girl, how distinguished—­Gentlemen who wish their pretensions to be favourably viewed—­The unwilling—­Efforts of pretenders—­Agitation on the thirty-first evening—­How the maiden proclaims her choice—­The presentation of flowers—­Subsequent meeting of the parties—­Betrothal—­Consequence of maiden failing to declare preference—­Second meeting—­Third meeting rare

XXI.—­THE DRESS OF SHAME—­SUN COLOURS.

Trust reposed in marriage councils never abused—­The dress of shame—­Rich costumes of married ladies—­Brilliant colours imparted by the sun—­The silver-green silk—­Sun silk—­Women instructed in the art of pleasing—­Former habits of married women—­Example on children—­Deceit

XXII.—­COSTUMES.

Lady’s costume—­The waistcoat—­Tunic—­Trousers—­Anklets—­Trimmings—­ Colours—­Sandals—­head ornaments—­Soles to protect the feet—­The fan—­Precious stones—­Turbans—­Canopy—­Long veils—­Distinctive feature for the unmarried—­Elaborate costumes allowed after marriage—­GENTLEMAN’S costume

XXIII.—­PREPARATIONS FOR THE MARRIAGE.