566 
VANITY PERSONAL DECORATION. 
parents prefer foreign husbands for their daughters, because the 
Bachapins pay them ten oxen, which is more than they can obtain in 
their own tribe. On the other hand, the Koras, as if to counter- 
balance this irregularity, are equally unpatriotic in their choice, and 
often select their wives from among the Bachapins. 
It may be said that 'vanity is to be found even at Litakun, and 
that it follows the same general rule as in other countries, and in 
most instances holds in direct proportion to the gifts of Nature in 
personal endowments. I have often been amused at the various 
effects produced on a party of young women, by my looking-glass ; 
those who were pretty continued for some length of time viewing 
themselves with a smiling air, while those of a different complexion 
returned the glass after the first glance, and were unable to prevent 
their countenance from betraying disappointment. 
But all feel that universal desire for personal decoration^ which 
is not only natural to the sex, but the total absence of which, 
more especially in youth, may even be considered as an indica- 
tion of a wandering from the usual track. They sometimes, 
when desirous of exhibiting their beauty in its most attractive light, 
adorn themselves on the cheeks, the forehead, or the nose, with 
streaks of red ochre mixed up with grease. This piece of coquetry 
may gain the admiration of their own countrymen ; but it would 
have a very different effect upon a European, who would view it as 
the most absurd disfigurement which could be devised. 
They are fond of wearing some ornament in their ears : that which 
is in most general use, is the manjena (manyana) or ear-drop, a small 
pendant made of copper wire, and of the form and size represented on 
the opposite page, by the two outermost figures. It consists of a thin 
wire very neatly wound about another of larger dimensions and 
terminated by a small knob formed by a piece of copper hammered 
round the end ; the upper part being bent into a ring by which it is 
fastened to the ear, in the manner shown by the 7th plate. They 
are not always worn in both ears at the same time : sometimes as 
many as six are appended ; and most frequently more than one. 
