BOOK III. CHAP. III. 413 



of covering this part of their bodies at all times, twlfting one or two 

 handkerchiefs round it, in the turban form, which, they fay, keeps them 

 cool, in the hotteft funfhine. The fame cuftom prevails among the 

 Eaftern nations, and probably from the like rcafon ; even the free 

 Mulatto women here think themfelves not compleatly dreft without 

 this tiara, and buy the fined: cambric or muflin for the purpofc, if 

 their pockets can afford it. The Creole white ladies, till lately, adopted 

 the praftice fo far, as never to venture a journey, without fecuring 

 their complexions with a brace of handkerchiefs ; one of which being 

 tied over the forehead, the other under the nofe, and covering the 

 lower part of the face, formed a compleat helmet. The Negroes ufe 

 their heads, inftead of their fhoulders, or backs, for carrying all forts 

 of burthens; with a dried plantain leaf they plait a circular pad, 

 which they call a coita ; upon this, the load refts, and preferves their 

 wool from being rubbed off. This cuftom enlarges, and ftrengthens, 

 the mufcles of their necks, in an amazing degree ; and it is really 

 wonderful to obferve, what prodigious loads they are able to carry 

 in this manner, with the greateft apparent eafe ; infomuch, that they 

 will even run with them, and affirm, at the fame time, with a laugh, 

 that they feel no weight ; perhaps, the perpendicular pofition of the 

 load, and the equilibre which, from habit, they know well how to 

 give it, produce this facility of carriage, while the incumbent pref- 

 Aire is diminifhed in proportion to the velocity of their progreffive 

 movement under it ; this, however, is no more than happens every day 

 with the London porters, fome of whom will carry 300 lb. weight. 

 The cotta ferves likewife for another purpofc; on the voluntary divorce 

 of man and wife, it is cut in two, and each party takes half; as the 

 circle was a fymbol of eternity, and the ring of perpetual love or 

 fidelity, fo this ceremony, perhaps, is meant to exprefs the eternal 

 feverance of their mutual affection. Their diet confifts generally of 

 pulfe, herbs, plantains, maize, yams, or other roots, prepared with 

 pork, and fifh, frelh or fait ; faltcd beef, herrings, jerked hog, or 

 fowls. Salt fi(h they are extremely fond of, and the more it ftinks, 

 the more dainty ; they make likewife a kind of pudding, with pounded 

 maize ; and fometimes of the fweet potatoe, which they call a pota- 

 toe-pone ; their broths, or pots (as they are termed), are well feafoned 

 with the country peppers; ochra is a principal ingredient ; and they are 



extremely 



