A P R I C A. 113 
able among a certain horde, of whom I fhall 
foon have occafion to fpeak. I fay it is fa- 
fliionable; for, inftead of being the gift of 
nature^ it ought to be confidered as one of 
the moft monftrous refinements ever invented 
by I know not what coquetry, altogether 
peculiar to a certain fmall corner of the 
world. 
Some old authors have faid that the fami- 
lies of the favages fleep all promifcuoufly to- 
gether, in the fame hut ; and are neither ac- 
quainted with difference of age, nor that in- 
vincible horror which feparates beings con- 
ceded by blood. The favages indeed, con- 
fined to what is ftriflly neceflary, have never 
thought of preferving, under an apparent de- 
cency, all the turpitude of unnatural inclina- 
tions ; and feparate apartments for brother 
and fifter, mother and fon, are not to be 
found among them. But to conclude, be- 
caufe they have only one habitation, one bed, 
and one mat to repofe on, after the labours 
of the day, that they live like the brutes, 
would be to calumniate innocence, and offer 
an infult to nature. There is only one ill- 
informed or malevolent author who has 
fuffered himfelf to give credit to thefe infa- 
Vol. II. I , niQus 
