TRAVELS IN BARBARY. 
look at them, under pain of death. They do not, 
however, spend their time in that supine indolence 
which has been often imputed to them. They knit, 
weave, and embroider ; they pay particular atten- 
tion to cookery, in order to guard against the dan- 
ger of poison ; and they find much employment in 
superintending the labours of their numerous slaves. 
On some, their confinement seemed to weigh hea- 
vily ; but in general, they were far from melan- 
choly. 
The toilet is an occupation, in which much time 
and expence are employed, though natural charms 
are rather obscured than embellished by it. The 
lady of rank in dressing is attended by a number 
of female slaves, to each of whom a particular de- 
partment is assigned. One plaits the hair, another 
perfumes it ; a third arranges the eye-brows, a 
fourth paints the face, and so on. Perfumes and 
scented waters are lavishly poured upon the hair, 
and a vast quantity of powder of cloves is stuffed 
into it ; the eye-brows, besides being painted black, 
are shaped by having a number of the hairs pulled 
out. Even the fingers and feet are blackened with 
henna. In short, the full dress of a Moorish lad? 
employs several hours, and forms then so complete 
a disguise, that her nearest relations cannot recog- 
nise her. On great occasions, the display of jew- 
els, and of gold and silver ornaments, is very pro- 
fuse, A bride is described to have received com- 
