449 



the burden of whatever they may have to 

 tranfport. Thus in removing from any place 

 of abode to take up a new home, the different 

 articles of furniture, and all the little variety 

 of implements and ' utenfils are loaded upon 

 the backs of the women, who follow in filent 

 train, bending under a heavy load, while their 

 imperious lord marches on before unincum- 

 bered. 



From the rigid government exercifed 

 over them, by the men, the women appear to 

 be fombre and referred. They commonly 

 fit with their backs towards ftrangers, and re- 

 main in profound filence when their hufbands 

 are prefent. In their abfence they fhew lefs 

 reftraint, and feem more difpofed to cheerful- 

 nefs and vivacity. Like the men they are 

 very fond of rum, and drink it glafs after glafs, 

 as though it were only water, 



I have obferved that notwithstanding the 

 great heat of climate, the Indians of South 

 America are not of the fame meager appear- 

 ance as the negroes. From their habits of 

 indolence a portion of fat is depofited under the 



TOi. II. G G 



