NUDITY VERSUS CLOTHING. 39 



of the Tweed after the advent of the wee small hours 

 and a modicum of "whuskey." Winsome lassies and 

 gallant chiels show to great perfection then, especially 

 when the latter are without "breeks," and so do the 

 little sand grouse when they are footing a measure 

 on the distant South African veldt. 



Scarcely had we returned to the camp-fire when a 

 party of ladies put in their appearance, relations of the 

 first comers. Of their personal charms I cannot speak 

 enthusiastically, although one, if she had been white- 

 washed and got up with an ample supply of the 

 starch of European apparel, minus dress- improver 

 (for Nature has furnished all this race with abundance 

 of after-development), might have passed muster in a 

 crowd. 



These Hebes would take no denial, so my snuff- 

 box had again to be produced, and marvellously did 

 their nostrils devour its contents. 



Clothing is no doubt indispensable in our climate 

 and necessary in civilised countries ; but I cannot 

 help thinking that it is far from useful or ornamental 

 among these primitive people. However, nudity is 

 the first established custom attacked by the Missionary, 

 the result, doubtless, of prudish ideas ; but I defy any 



