FoodNet

The complete Indian housekeeper & cook

1898

Page 153

Presented as published in 1898. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
The same remarks apply to Burmah, only more so, since the climate is Avarmer and damper. Briefly, an outfit for Rangoon may be draAvn up on the Ceylon lines, bearing in mind that everything must be of the thinnest, and yet stand bad washing. Riding is a great amusement in Ran- goon, and tAVO habits are a necessity. One should certainly be of a light serge that will not easily show dirt. They should be made of the best shrunk cloth, as they will have to stand washing, OAving to the mud. Saddles should be brought out, and they must be made to fit ponies under thirteen hands. Waterproof covers should be brought out for saddles, and a chamois leather cover is also a good thing. Mosquitoes being a perfect curse, all dress should aim at leaving no portion of the body exposed that can be pro- tected. Mosquito net in large quantities is also useful. Bombay. — Same as Madras. Finally, a fcAv general remarks may be made about clothing suitable to AA^arm climates. Dark colours absorb the sun’s rays, and are consequently hotter than light ones. White reflects all the rays, and is therefore coolest. The thinnest materials are not the coolest in direct exposure to the suns. rays. The Arab in the desert throws the loose end of his bernous over the shoulder on Avhich the sun falls most. Thus a white coat, padded over the spine and other sensitive parts, is the best clothing in which to brave a tropical sun. 220 The Complete Indian The head-dress should be light in colour and weight, and admit of free air passing to the scalp. The neck should always be loosely clothed, especially in hot weather. In fact, a general easiness of clothing conduces greatly to comfort. But do not bring out shoes a size too large for you, on the advice of friends. The feet do not swell as a rule. In regard to boxes, the best boxes are tin ones — either the American round-topped ones, or the overland case in wooden covers. One of the authors has invariably travelled to and fro with ordinary dress baskets, and has not had to complain of any injury. For the cabin, however, she cer- tainly recommends a low tin case of regulation size. Every one is so eager to have the port open that, sooner or later, a sea is almost sure to come in and set things floating. The fewer things you can take into your cabin, the greater your comfort Avill be. It is an excellent plan, however, to have a second small box for the voyage marked cabin, which, of course, will be left on deck till your arrival, when a word to the baggage officer will generally secure its being placed in a get-at-able place in the hold, whence on baggage days you will have no trouble in unearthing it. The journey, how- ever, occupies so short a time nowadays that elaborate pre- parations are not so much needed. No one with any liking for comfort will inflict on themselves the punishment of changing costume on board ship oftener than is absolutely required.