228 



CUSTOMS AND MANNERS. 



excites the envy of all the other ladies in the world. . Art thoo 

 desirous to see the mischiefs by which this detestable paint is 

 accompanied ? Remark the forehead, which has a somewhat 

 disproportionate width : it proves that the hair has fallen off 

 at the temples, by the fri6lion of this vile ingredient. Observe, 

 now that she smiles : she has several decayed teeth ; and if it 

 were lawful for thee to approach her, thou wouldst be sensible 

 that her breath even is in some measure vitiated. All these 

 are consequences of the same abuse." 



*' The hands," exclaimed in continuation the scrupulous 

 censor, *' those hands which, physically, are beyond a doubt 

 well shaped, delicate, and handsome, have, in a moral point 

 of view, several very notable defefls. Those honourable marks 

 which the use of the needle, or of the distaff, occasionally 

 leaves, are not to be traced on them. Among her country- 

 women, it is considered as derogatory, to know how to take up 

 a loop in a stocking ; and but few are to be found who are 

 able to embroider a pair of ruffles, for the husband, or for the 

 boys. The discoloration which is so perceptible at the tips of 

 the thumb, fore-finger, and middle finger of the right hand, 

 is owing to these extremities being regularly made to answer 

 the purpose of the fork, in the repasts : — a filthy pradlice by 

 which the strongest stomach must be nauseated. Fortunatel 

 however,' this indelicacy is not to be found among certc 

 principal nymphs who are the flower and the glory of tl 

 highly favoured country. So long as Eugenia and her few 

 culpable companions shall persist in this uncleanly custom, 

 they will not merit my prepossession, nor the suffrage of 

 Justice." 



Here the old man made a brief pause, as if he meant to point 



out 



