ULLOA's voyage to south AMERICA. 58 1 



latter however, are but little worn, the encumbrance of embroidery being fuited rather 

 to enlarge than diminifh the appearance of a fmall foot. * 



They are fond of white filk ftockings, made extremely thin, that the leg may appear 

 the more fliapely ; the greatefl part of which is expofed to view. Thefe trifles often 

 afford very fprightly fallies of wit in their animadverfions on the drefs of others. 



Hitherto we have confidered only the more common drefs of thefe ladies ; the reader 

 will conceive a ftill higher idea of their magnificence, when he is informed of the 

 ornaments with which they are decorated in their vifits, and upon public occafions. 

 We Ihall begin with their manner of dreffing the hair, which being naturally black, 

 and capable of reaching below their waiils, they difpofe in fuch a manner as to appear 

 perfedly graceful. They tie it up behind in fix braided locks, through which a gol- 

 den bodkin, a little bent, is inferted, and having a clufter of diamonds at each end. 

 On this the locks are fufpended fo as to touch the fhoulder. On the front and upper 

 part of the head they wear diamond aigrets, and the hair is formed into little curls, 

 hanging from the forehead to the middle of the ear, with a large black patch of velvet 

 on each temple. Their ear-rings are of brilliants, intermixed with tufts of black filk, 

 covered with pearls, refembling thofe already defcribed. Thefe are fo common an 

 ornament, that befides their necklaces, they alfo wear about their neck rofaries, the 

 beads of which are of pearls, either feparate or fet in clufters to the fize of a large 

 filbert ; and thofe which form the crofs are flill larger. 



Befides diamong rings, necklaces, girdles, and bracelets, all very curious both with 

 regard to water and fize, many ladies wear other jewels fet in gold, or for Angularity's 

 fake, in tombago. Laflly, from their girdle before is fufpended a large round jewel 

 enriched with diamonds : much more fuperb than their bracelets, or other ornaments. 

 A lady covered with the moft expenfive lace inflead of linen, and glittering from head 

 to foot with jewels, is fuppofed to be dreffed at the expence of not lefs than thirty or 

 forty thoufand crowns ; a fplendour flill the more aflonifhing, as it is fo very common. 



A fondnefs for expence in thefe people, does not confine itfelf to rich apparel ; it 

 appears no lefs in the ftrange negle6l, and the fmall value, they feem to fet upon 

 them, by wearing them in a manner the moft carelefs, and by that means bringing 

 upon themfelves frefh expencesin repairing the old or purchafing new jewels ; efpecially 

 pearls, on account of their fragility. 



The mofl common of the two kinds of dreffes worn when they go abroad, is the 

 veil and long petticoat ; the other is a round petticoat and mantelette : the former for 

 church, the latter for taking the air, and diverfions ; but both in the prevailing tafle 

 for expence, being richly embroidered with filver or gold. 



The long petticoat is particularly worn on Holy Thurfday ; as on that day they vifit 

 the churches, attended by two or three female Negro or Mulatto flaves, dreflTed in an 

 uniform like pages, t 



With regard to the perfons of the women of Lima, they are in general, of a middling 

 flature, handfome, genteel, and of very fair complexions without the help of art ; the 



* All thofe who can afford them wear (hoes made in the European manner, but with heels of wrought 

 filver ; the tinkling of which, added to the fmallnefs of their feet, has really, at leaft to the weather- 

 beaten fealor, fomething captivating. A. 



-j- The lower clafs of women, whofe whole flock of apparel feldom confifts of more than two camifas 

 (ftiifts) and a faya (petticoat), wear bracelets, rofaries, and fmall golden images about their necks and 

 arms, to the intrinfic value of fifty or fixty crowns, and to them of much greater value, having coft near 

 that fum in benedidion from the priells, without which the inaages, &c. would be efteemed pollutions. A. 



beauty 



