1^6 DISCOVERIES OF THE PORTUGUESE. 
the missionaries had to encounter. In vain did 
they urge, that if their companions were agree- 
able, they ought at once to marry, or if disagree- 
able, to separate from them. A little longer time 
was still asked before a final resolution. Merolla 
complains, with peculiar bitterness, that the fe- 
males were always the most determined upon hav- 
ing the benefit of this trial, and the most difficult 
to satisfy as to the result. All direct remon- 
strances having proved fruitless, he bethought 
himself of acting upon them through the medium 
of the mothers. Being, therefore, sent for to con- 
fess one, whose daughter he knew to be under 
trial, he positively refused absolution, until she 
had compelled the young lady to marry. The 
mother declared, that she would by no means 
hazard incurring her daughter's curse, by oblig- 
ing her to form such an engagement, contrary to 
her own inclination. All arguments having fail- 
ed, the missionary went next to the daughter, and 
roundly asked, if she was willing " that her mo- 
ther should go to hell upon her account." The 
poor girl fell into a violent fit of trembling, and 
declared, that she would take the first opportuni- 
ty of marrying, which she accordingly did. But, 
in general, both parties were equally intractable, 
and the mothers, in particular, positively refused 
to take any concern in abridging the period of 
their daughter's trials. One of the missionaries. 
