Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 363

ARTICLES OF CLOTHING
323
the language of the Brahmins
is rich in gracious and
more so in terms of abuse
Though they pride them-
selves on their courtesy and knowledge of the world, when
they lose their tempers they are no better than our lowest
and an incredible quantity of disgusting and
rag-pickers
obscene language pours from their mouths on such occa-
If
flattering expressions, it is even
and coarse, indecent invective.
;
sions.
Their clothing is of the most simple description. It is
as nearly as possible just what it was in the earliest ages.
Two pieces of cotton cloth without hem or stitch, one
10 or 12 feet long, the other 14 or 16, and 3 or 4 feet wide,
With the first piece they cover
are their only garments.
Of
their shoulders, with the second they gird their loins.
the latter, one end is passed between their thighs and is
tucked behind into the portion which goes round their
bodies, while the other end forms a drapery in front, and
hangs with a certain careless grace to their feet. Their
loin-cloths are generally ornamented with a border of silk
This
of a different colour from the rest of the cloth itself.
costume is very suitable for persons who, like them, are
most particular about keeping themselves always in a state
of purity and cleanliness, for, as one may imagine, it does
not cost much to wash their cloths often. Many have also
a kind of large sheet, with which they cover themselves
up at night, or when the mornings are cold. Since Euro-
pean piece-goods have been procurab