DON FELIX D'AZARA. 51 



it is hay, and taunting the European, because he eats 

 like a horse. The master shepherds have an ample 

 supply of garments ; but the herdsmen have neither 

 jacket, waistcoat, trowsers, or ought else than a 

 piece of cloth tied round their loins. Many of them 

 have no shirt; but most can muster a hat, with 

 drawers, a poncho, and half-boots. The women 

 go barefooted ; and, to say the least of it, are far 

 from clean. Their dress usually is a chemise, at- 

 tached round the waist with a band, but without 

 sleeves ; often they have no change. A child is 

 scarcely eight days old when it is taken on horse- 

 back, and galloped over the plains : this exercise is 

 often repeated, till the infant is mounted alone 

 upon the old and quiet horses. Thus they are 

 reared in independence and ignorance. They know 

 nothing of measures, calculation, or rules, and dis- 

 like the society of those who do. They disregard 

 shame, decency, and the ceremonies of civilized 

 life. Education they have none, and don't know 

 what it is to obey. They attach little value to life, 

 and death is indifferent. I have seen a man go to 

 be hanged with the greatest sang froid. They are 

 exceedingly hospitable ; and if a stranger come their 

 way, they lodge and feed him, often without ask- 

 ing who he is, or whither he is going, and he may 

 remain with them for months. They play high, 

 and with the greatest keenness, often losing every 

 thing, to their shirt, if they have one. When they 

 think of getting married, the bridegroom borrows 

 linen for the ceremony, and on leaving the chapel, 



