OF NORTH CAROLINA, 143 



ing eyes which sets them off to advantage. They 

 marry very young ; some at thirteen or fourteen ; 

 and she that stays till twenty is reckoned a stale 

 maid, which is a very indifferent character in that 

 warm country. The. women are very fruitful, 

 most houses being full of little ones. It has been 

 observed that w^omen long married and without 

 children in other places, have removed to Caroli- 

 na and become joyful mothers. They have very 

 easy travail in their childbearing, in which they 

 are so happy as seldom to miscarry. Both sexes 

 are generally spare of body and not choleric, nor 

 easily cast dow^n at disappointments and losses, 

 seldom immoderately grieving at misfortunes, un- 

 less for the loss of their nearest relations and 

 friends, which seems to make a more than ordi- 

 nary impression upon them. Many of the women 

 are very handy in canoes and will manage them 

 with great dexterity and skill, which they become 

 accustomed to in this watery country. They are 

 ready to help their husbands in any sendle work, 

 as planting, w^hen the season of the weather re- 

 quires expedition ; pride seldom banisliing good 

 housewifery. The girls are not bred up to the 

 wheel and sewing only, but the dairy and tlie af- 

 fairs of the house they are very well acquainted 

 withal ; so that you shall see them, whilst very 

 young, manage their business with a great deal of 

 conduct and alacrity. The children of both seeea 

 are very docile and learn any thing with a great 

 deal of ease and method, and those that have the 



