History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

118 HISTORY OF THE PARSTS. [CHAP. 111.

on light trousers has been recently introduced, The “topi” or skull-cap covers the head, and light shoes protect the feet. The dress of both boy and girl up to the age of six or seven is the same, the girl being distinguished by her long hair and the ornaments on her person. When she is two or three years old both her ears are bored, and rings of thin gold wire are worn in them. On festival days, on their own birthdays, or on those of other members of the family, as well as on occasions of puble gathering or rejoicing, both father and mother take more than ordinary pride and pleasure in dressing their children in the best of rich and embroidered silks of variegated colours, and decking them with gold and jewel ornaments. Thus attired, their smiling bright faces present, when driving out of doors, a most pleasing picture to the eye. The Parsi ladies of the present day are well known for their good taste in dress; and though they take particular pride in adorning their children as much as possible, yet the most fastidious critic would have difficulty in discovering anything in their dress and ornaments that was in bad taste.

The home costume of a Parsi consists of a long muslin shirt (sudra) and girdle (kusti), waistcoat of white cloth or chintz with sleeves, loose cotton trousers, shppers, and a China silk skull-cap. When going out he puts on, over the muslin shirt (or