284 JAMAICA, 



clamour, "to the unfpeakable difturbance of the poor animal, whofe 

 misfortune it may be to be linked in the nuptial bonds with fuch a 

 temper. Fain would I wifh to relate, that the more gentle and 

 efleemable fair-ones apply themfelves to repair the deficiencies of 

 an imperfeft education, by giving fome leifure hours to the mod: 

 approved authors, by whofe help they might add the delights of a 

 rational converfation to thofe abundant graces which nature has 

 bellowed upon them. It is a pity that fuch excellent talents fliould 

 lie wafle, or mifemployed, which require only cultivation to make 

 them fhine out with dignity and elegance. To pleafe the eye, re- 

 ( quires only the flcill of a common mercenary harlot ; but to capti- 

 : vate the heart, and charm the mind, a woman muft divert herfelf, 

 ! as foon as poflible, of grofs ignorance (that fofter-mother of pride), 

 i filly prattle, and conceited airs ; fl^e muft endeavour, by diligent 

 reading and obfervation, to enlarge her notions, banifli her preju- 

 dices, and ftock her intelle£t with fuch improvements, as may en- 

 able her to bear her part in a fenfible converfation. By thefe eafy 

 means, flie may fave many a blufl:, when common fubje<£ls ate dif- 

 cuflcd, of which flie ought not to be ignorant ; (he will entertain 

 her company in a rational manner, and with correal language, and 

 not expofe her hufband to be hooted at, for his folly in tying him- 

 felf for life to a pretty idiot. That audacious flanderer, Dr. Browne, 

 accufes fome of the ladies here of flaying tlieir faces with the 

 cauftic oil of the caihew-nut, in order to acquire a new Ikin. 

 " The procefs" (he fays) " continues fourteen or fifteen days; du- 

 " ring which they fuffer the moft exquifite torture, which tlieir 

 *' vanity enables them to fupport with Chriftian patience." And 

 yet it feems to be to very little purpofe ; " for" (he adds) '< all 

 " this bliflering leaves the countenance much more deformed, than 

 " any fpots or freckles could have made it. Happy," (quoth he) 

 *' had tiiey been equally attentive to the improvement of their 

 «' mind, which they too frequently neg1e6f ; while they bear fo 

 *' much pain, to caft their Ikins, in imitation of fuakcs and- 

 <« adders." 



The dodlor, like many other old batchelors, had ftrange flincies 

 about the operations of the toilet, or (to believe the beft of him) 

 took a hint, from fome girlifh freak of this kind, which might 



have 



