27 
LOO’lCnf^-G4LA3S. 
ferently fpoiled ; in fon^e par^Uieir nofes are broke 
down, or ftretched put on the lides, by heavy brafs 
rings, whi^e Jtbeir ears ar^ lengthened exceffively by 
the like irritating operation. Nor arc they lefs tor- 
tured in a fort of prefs, ufed for fmoothing, poliftiing, 
or enlarging their heads, according to the caprices 
of parents. 
Thus, in China, the principal charm lies in a 
fmall foot. Mothers there take particular care to 
flop the growth of that ufeful limb. This fmgu- 
Jarity is accounted for by eminent writers who have 
vifited that eaftem country. 
We, however, need not travel fo far to look fot 
extraordinary or fantaftic modes, nor even among 
the wildeft tribes, fince polhhed nations furnilh fuf- 
ficient examples of the abufe of tafte and judgment 
* It is fuppofed that the Chinefe firfl: placed an extraordinary va- 
lue on fmall feet from motives of jealoufy. Without thinking of bad 
confequences, mothers began betimes to bind, fwaddle, and wrap up 
their daughters in fuch a manner as prevented them from ftirring out 
of doors, or walking upright, without attendants. Hence proceeded 
that unnatural form, which was foon rendered fo familiar, as to be- 
come, in their eyes, the ftandard of beauty. In the fame way we find 
the V enetian ladies doomed to a clofer retirement than what they 
would probably fulFer, were it not for the inconvenience of large 
pattens Such ftrange fafliions are not eafily left off; nor do 
French manners gain ground in any country fo fall as thofe principles 
of liberty which have never been entirely eradicated from the human 
hreaft. 
in 
