LAg Letter IX. 
introduced among them, broken bottles have been in consider- 
able demand, for it is with these original razors that the opera- 
tion is generally performed. 
As a set-off against this process of self-denuding, they exert 
themselves to improve their appearance by the use of artificial 
ornaments. : 
It is curious how deeply the love of ornamenting the person. 
seems to be rooted in the human mind. The most polished 
and civilized nations, and the rudest and most barbarous tribes, 
are alike affected by it. Both exercise all the intelligence and 
‘skill which they possess, to make or procure those things which 
they consider will improve their representation of the human 
form. The first class lavish enormous riches and employ no 
end of workmen, in satisfying this craving for ornamentation ; 
while the latter, not having such resources at their com- 
mand, make up for it by a bold and unsparing use of what 
they have. 
The savage has his ear-rings, bracelets, necklaces—if not 
equal in quality to ours, at all events superior in point of quantity. 
For he will hang tortoise-shell rings in his ears until the lobe 
is lengthened some inches; and he will string shells, beads, 
and whale’s-teeth round his neck and arms, until the weight 
must be quite burdensome. But especially does he delight in 
paint. Nothing, in his eyes, beautifies like paint ; and he uses 
it with a prodigal hand. With what contempt would he look 
upon the lady of civilization, lightly tinting her cheeks and 
darkening her eyebrows, as he plastered on thick coats of red, 
black, and blue. Sometimes he lays it on in alternate stripes, 
or, if he be of an artistic turn, he may put in circles or in a 
variety of curves; but for every-day wear, he generally covers 
his face with a coat—one side all black. and the other 
red. 
It will be observed that I have spoken of the male savage 
