AFRICA. 365 
language to comprehend the whole of the nar- 
i^ation ; but I underftood, that it commonly 
related to fome event to the honour of the na- 
tion, and that the unfortunate hero of the 
tale was almoft always a hysena, a lion, or a 
Houzouana. Every now and then, the orator 
was interrupted by the noify fallies of the 
women, who fhook their very fides with laugh- 
ter. The men, without taking any fhare in 
this extravagant mirth, reafoned gravely, and 
with an appearance of profound thought, on 
the circumftances they had juft heard. In 
the midft of this grotefque and incongruous 
pi£ture, I amufed myfelf with the dignity of 
the reafoners; while the women, w^ho faw 
me fmile, and knew that I underftood nothing 
of the tale, redoubled their laughter till they 
were out of breath. 
Their mufical inftruments are the fame as 
thofe of the other Hottentots ; but their dan- 
cing is very different, and refembles the temper 
of the nation. If the countenance have received 
from nature, features that can exprefs our paf- 
fions, the body alfo has its attitudes and move- 
ments that paint our temper and feelings. The 
dance of the Nimiqua is frigid^ like himfelf, 
and 
