26$ A VOYAGE TO Book V. 



either males or females any indications of the age of 

 puberty. 



The youths of family are here inftru6led in philo- 

 fophy and divinity, and fome proceed to the ftudy 

 of the civil law, but follow that profeflion with re- 

 iudtance. In thefe fciences they demonftrate a great 

 deal of judgement and vivacity, but are very deficient 

 in hiftoricai and political knowledge, as well as other 

 fciences, which improve the human underftanding, 

 and carry it to a certain degree of perfedlion not other- 

 wife attainable. This is however their misfortune, 

 not their fault ; being owing to the want of proper 

 perfons to inftrud them ; for with regard to thofe 

 who vifit this country on commerical affairs, their 

 minds have generally another turn, and their whole 

 time is devoted to acquire riches. Thus, after feven 

 or eight years of fcholaftic inftru6tion, their know- 

 ledge is very limited though endowed with ge^ 

 niufes capable of making the greateft progrefs in the 

 fciences. 



In the women of rank here, their beauty is blended 

 with a graceful carriage, and an amiable temper ; 

 qualities indeed common to the whole fex in this part 

 of America. Their children are always educated un- 

 der their own eyes, though little to their advantage, 

 their extreme fondnefs preventing them from feeing 

 thofe vices which fo often bring youth to ruin and in- 

 famy ^ nor is it uncommon for them to endeavour to 

 hide the vices of the fon from the knowledge of the 

 father ; and in cafe of detec^lion, to interpofe paffionate- 

 ly in defence of their favourite, in order to prevent his 

 being properly corre6led. 



This country is obferved to abound more in women, 

 than men ; a circumftance the more remarkable, as 

 thofe caufes which in Europe induce men to leave their 

 country, namely, travelling, commerce, and war, can 

 hardly be faid fo fubfift here. Numbers of families 

 may be found in this country^ that have a great va- 

 7 riety 



