5 A True and ExaB Hifiory 



"^x^i Gambia.^ vvhoare thick liptj fhortnos'd, and commonly low tore- 

 -heads. But' thefcg are compos d of fuch features, as would mar the 

 .judgment 6f the beft Painters^to undertake to mend. Wanton, as the 

 ifbyl that bred them, fweet as-the fruits they fed on 3 for being come 

 fonear, asT:heir^motions5 and graces might perfeftly be difcern'dj I 

 -guefs'd that Nature could not, without help of Art, frame fiich tie- 

 ?offlpH{h'dbeauties,not only of colours,and favour,but of motion too, 

 •Which is the higheft part of beauty*-^ If dancing had been in faflaion 

 in this Ijland^l 'M^t have beeh perfwaded, that they had been taught 

 thofe motions^ by Ibme who had ftudied that Art. But confidering the 

 ■VadresMxxfick to be thebeftthelfland ^afforded, I could not butcaft 

 away that thought , and attribute all to pure nature 5 Innocent, as 

 youthful, their ages about fifteen. Seeing their beauties fb frefli and 

 youthful, withall the perfedions I have named, I thought good to try, 

 whether the uttering of their language, would be as fweetand harmo- 

 nious, as their other parts were comely. And by the help of a Gen- 

 tleman that (fdkf: TortHgal^ accoftedthem , and began to praife their 

 beauties, fhapcs, and manner of dreffings , which was extreamly pret- 

 ty. Their hair notfhornas the Negroes in the places I have named, 

 dole to their heads 3 nor in quarters, and mazes, as they u(e to wear 

 itj which is ridiculous to all that fee them , but themtelves : But in 

 a due proportion of length, fo as having their Ihortenings by the na- 

 tural Curls, they appeared as Wyers, and Artificial Drenifigs to their 

 faces. On the fides of their Cheeks, they plat little of k , of purpofe 

 to tye (mall 'Ribbon 5 or fbmefmall beads, of white Amber, or blew 

 bugle , fometimes of the rare flowers that grow there ; Their, ears 

 hung with Pendants, their necks and arms adorn d with bracelets of 

 Counterfeit pearls, and blew bugle, ^Mch.2iSt\\Q Portugal s beftow on 

 themj for thele are firee Negroes^ and wear upon the final! of one of 

 their legs, the badge of their freedom, which is a finall piece of fil- 

 ver,or tin, asbig astheftaleof a Spoony which comes round about 

 the leg : and by reafbn of the fmoothnels, and lightnefSj is no impedi- 

 ment to their going. Their cloaths, were Petticoats of Strip'd filk^ 

 next to their linnen, which reach to their middle leg .- and upon that 

 a mantle of blew Taffity, tyed with a Ribbon on the right fhoulder: 

 which coming uftder the left arm , hung down carelefly fomewhat 

 lower than the Petticoat, fb as a great part of the natural beauty of 

 their backs and necks before, lay open to the view, their breafl round, 

 firm, and beautifully fhaped. 



Upon my addreflfes to them, they appeared a little difturb'd 5 and 

 whilpered to one another, but had not the Confidence to fpeak aloud 5 

 I had in my hat a piece offilver andfilk Ribbon , which I perceiv'd 

 their well (hap'd eyes, often to dart at 3 but their modefties would not 

 give themi Confidence to ask. I took it out, and divided it between 

 them , which they accepted with much alacrity 3 and in return, 

 drank to one another my health in the liquor of the pure fountain , 

 which I perceiv'd by their wanton (miles, and jefticulations, and call- 

 ing their eyes towards me : when they thought they had expreft 

 enoughjthey would take in their Countenances, and put themlelves in 

 the modeftefi: poftures that could be , but we having brought a 

 Cafe of bottles, of EngliJIj (pirits, with us 3 I calfd for fome, and 

 drank a health to them, in a fmall dram cup 3 and gave it to one 



of 



