CHAP. V. 
PORTRAITS OF NATIVE WOMEN. 
137 
forest scenery, in which the large trees are covered with 
Orchidaceous and other plants, some of them in full blossom, 
are remarkably striking. 
What effect coloured landscapes, or other views of natural 
objects, might produce upon the natives, I am unable to say; 
but it was curious to notice the intense interest excited by the 
portraits, and the different effect produced by the view of a 
group of trees, or flowers, a house, or any other inanimate 
object. In the former the features, the aspect, the dress, the 
ornaments, and all the little accompaniments were subjects 
of curious examination and animated remark by wives and 
children, as well as companions or friends. One man had a 
mole on his cheek, and, as it was on the side next the light, it 
came out clear and strong; nothing excited more remark than 
this. I saw the man himself, after feeling the mole on his 
cheek with his finger, go and touch the mole on the picture 
hanging up to dry, exclaiming, “ How very wonderful! I never 
felt anything here,” putting his finger to the mole on his cheek, 
“ and yet there it is,” pointing to the picture. But the form 
of a building, the shades in a flower, the perspective of a land¬ 
scape, seemed to excite no interest. Another phase of human 
character, peculiar perhaps to no country, but rather common 
to all, was the evident anxiety about personal appearance, 
when that was to be regarded by others or perpetuated. I 
never suggested the arrangement of the dress or the hair; 
but rarely found any one come and sit for a likeness without 
giving some previous attention to one or both. Even the 
labouring woman, returning from work in the field, with her 
child at her back, as shown on the adjoining page, when 
asked if she would have her likeness taken, adjusted her 
burden before having her tout ensemble rendered permanent. 
Sometimes the women brought their slaves to arrange their 
hair immediately before sitting down. At other times the 
men brought looking-glass and comb, and, borrowing a bowl 
