564 WOMEN AND THEIR EMPLOYMENTS.— MARRIAGES. 
the range and variety of its occupations being naturally more circum- 
scribed, it continues nearly in the same state, because the situations 
in which it is placed, have many circumstances in common with all 
the rest of the world. Often, when in the presence of a crowd of 
these poor African women, one might be led to fancy that they were 
not so very far below the uneducated peasantry of Europe, as the 
term ' savages ' induces us to suppose ; and this, certainly, would 
not altogether be an imaginary feeling: for, surrounded by a crowd of 
men, one could not, for a moment, forget that we were in the midst 
of a nation differing extremely from our own ; but on turning to 
hear the conversation and remarks of the women, we might seem, in 
an instant, to have travelled several thousand miles nearer to Europe, 
and to feel less sensibly the impression of being in a strange land. 
In public the women do not much associate with the other sex, 
their occupations being distinct : the men employing themselves in 
the chase ; in warfare or plundering ; preparing leather ; sewing 
clothes, even those for the women ; making various implements, such 
as hatchets, knives, and all similar articles j milking ; in attending 
cattle ; and in all work in which oxen are used: — while the women 
build the houses ; plant and reap the corn ; fetch water and fuel ; 
and cook the food. It is very rarely that the men are seen helping 
the women, even in the most laborious work. It must not however 
be inferred from these remarks that they are deficient in mutual 
affection ; that would be too unnatural to be probable ; but their 
affection towards each other, if a stranger may give any opinion, 
appeared to possess little of a refined character. 
Nor is this to be wondered at, when most of their marriages are 
formed without consulting the inclinations of the intended wife. In 
many cases the girls are betrothed while yet but children ; the 
bargain is made with the parents, and to them the price is paid : for 
she is in reality sold ; and on this account, the husband considers her 
generally as a servant whom he has bought to build his house and 
cook his food. There is little difference between such a wife and a 
domestic slave. Though the girl should have arrived at a marriage- 
able age before a husband appear, yet even then she is purchased of 
