TRAVELS IN 
dried skin announces the approach of a Hottentot lady long 
before she makes her appearance. The rest of the body is 
naked. Some, hcvever, wear skin-caps on their heads made 
up iiito different shapes, and ornamented as caprice may 
direct. In the winter months both sexes cover themselves 
with cloaks made of skins. 
The custom of greasing the body and wrapping it in skins 
has been a constant theme of abuse against this race of people 
by most travellers who have written on the subject. There 
are always two ways of representing things, and the poor 
Hottentot has been unfortunate enough to have his character 
painted in the very worst light. To cover the body with 
some unctuous matter in a hot climate where water is ex- 
tremely scarce, is the only and a very natural resource to 
prevent the skin from being shrivelled and parched by the 
scorching rays of the sun, and indeed has been the practice 
of most nations situated in or near the torrid zone. The oil 
that ran so profusely down " Aaron's beard even to the skirts of 
his garment," was in all probability animal fat ; for during 
the forty years that he and Moses occupied the thoughts of 
the Children of Israel in the desert with a promised land, it 
is not very likely they had any means of procuring a supply 
of vegetable oil ; and though some late celebrated historical 
painters have clothed these leaders of the Children of Israel 
in high-colored garments trimmed with fringe and lace, 
it may be doubted if they had any other clothing than such 
as the skins of their sheep, and calves, and goats, supplied 
them with. If the practice of smearing the body with fat 
were adopted in South America, there would not probably be 
