[ wi] 
formerly inhabited by Amazons, a tradition however founded upon 
no ancient hiftory that I know of. Sappho indeed, the moft re- 
nowned female that this ifland has ever produced, is faid to 
have had manly inclinations, in which, as Lucian informs us, 
fhe did but conform with the fingular manners of her country- 
women; but I do not find that the mode in which fhe chofe to 
fhew thefe inclinations is imitated by the prefent female inhabi- 
tants, who feem perfectly content with the dear prerogative of 
abfolute fway, without endeavouring in any other particular to 
change the courfe of nature; yet will this circumftance ferve to 
fhew that the women of Lefbos had always fomething peculiar, 
and even peculiarly mafculine, in their manners and-propentfities. 
But be this as it may, it is certain that no country whatfoever — 
can afford a more perfect idea of an Amazonian commonwealth, or 
better ferve to render probable thofe ancient relations which 
our manners would induce us to efteem incredible, than this ifland 
of Metelin. Thefe lordly ladies are, for the moft part, very 
handfome in fpite of their drefs, which is fingular and difad- 
vantageous. Down to the girdle, which, as in the old Grecian 
garb, is raifed far above what we ufually call the waift, they wear 
nothing but a fhift of thin and tranfparent gauze, red, green or 
brown, through which every thing is vifible, their breafts only 
excepted, which they cover with a fort of handkerchief; and this, 
as we were informed, the Turks have obliged them to wear, 
while they look upon it as an incumbrance, and as no incon- 
fiderable portion of Turkifh tyranny. Long fleeves of the fame 
thin material perfe@tly fhew their arms even to the fhoulder. 
Their principal ornaments are chains of pearl, to which they 
hang fmall pieces of gold coin. Their eyes are large and fine, 
and 
