The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1824-07-08

/ cd, the girl ehsnges her abode from her mo'h
ev's hut TO that Of The bridegroom. Thes,
bargains are made With hes parents only
wi,hous ever consulting the wishes (even i
she had sny) Of her daughter. They sr'
made by Offering them . lesthern bag, o
some similar s'iiels, which, II seee epted, rs,i
fies end confirms tho ms,eh.-I sav at thi,
krssl several mothers who could DOT have
been moro than ten or twelve years old.
Whom it happens, which 10 not often the
case, that girl has gfovn up 10 womsnhood
without having previously been bsirothed
her lover must gain he, own spptobstion, a,
well as that Of he' parents; spd on this oe.
cssiou HE suen,ions arc received With an Of
feeteiion Of great alarm and disinelinsiion on
hor part, and With some 'quabbling 90 the
part Of her friends.
Several OF these girls nigh, bo said to be
pretty, moro on account Of their youth end the
blessing expression of their countensnees
than Of any beauty offeatures but IL is doubt.
fol whetber, through the whole nation, one
could be found whom Europesn could deem
handsome. Whom, in the morning, they
came to the general disiribution Of tobacco,
they had not yet performed the duties OF their
toilet but ] now had the pleasure of behold
ing them as fine and as captivating ss buks
sDd red ochro could mako them. The for.
mer, ss q green powder. was ,prinkled over
their head sod mock, and the lattor, mixed
with grease, was applied 10 dsubs or sresks
owe, or slong the nose, aud across tho cheek
bones end what was thought by those simple
Africans TO be the most graceful and fsscina,.
ing style Of adorning themselves, was precise
" he same as that which the clowns and buff
foons q, our fairs have adopted in order TO
render their appearance absurd and ridIcu.
lous. s.,..
Many of The women were Distinguished by
having The hair of the forehead, by the con.
stan, accumulation of grease and rcd ochre,
cloucd into large red Jumps like, stone this
was no, through negleel Of cleaning it swsy,
but from 'ancy that il sdded greatly to their
charms. Some had the crown Of their besds
shaved, or, rather, sc,sped bald, and row Of
buttons fastened round the remaining hair,
which had been left in it's natural state. Al
Of them wore bracelets, other of leather, or
Of twis,ed sinew, or copper; and mos, Of
hem wero decorated with some kind Of orna.
ment hsnglng from the ear. Their stature
wss extremely small, and their figure in geo
e'aI deIica'e; their height being universally
less than Eve feet.
I noticed singulariy of figure, which I
had not hitherto observed among Hotrntols f;
nor was IL since found to be, in any tribe, 80
remarkable q, in Busbwomen. The thigh,
6cnos OF those who were above tho middle
age appeared bowed ou,wards in en- unusva'
degreeS or ra'het, the outer part OF them was
exceedingly pro,vberant. AS to the cause ol
teiorm'iy, ! can only venture q supposition,
that ], may be an enlargement Of that process
OF tho bono called roehanfer major. But 10
his do no, pretend to any positive opinion ;
and leave it to be determined by those VIII,
may hereafter have an opportunity Of examin.
ing the skeleton Of Bushwoman Of this con
70, nation.
Wmh regard to fOlygamy, was told tina, q
second wife is never AIKEN, until the Fl st, as
before stated has become old, no, 10 years, bu'
IN constitution aud sometimes, though rae
ly. bird supplies, in like manner, the place
of,he second. This was generally the grea,
extent OF their po'ygamy; nor were tho old
wives. on that account, neglected or left un.
provided for by their husbands but constant
" -temsined with him on the same terms as
before. I could not learn tina, any nice feel.
ings Of jealousy between these w,vss eve,
dislu bed ihe hs' r,ony Of the family. ..
Some men passing by. seemed much anus.
cd a, my questions, ond joined us: on which
inquired Of The women # their husbands ev.
o. beat them we'll knowing that this subiec,
was one OF great importance 10 thei' domes.
tic arrangements The men laughed. and
quickly replied, "no, no." The women as
loudly led, A" Yes, yes they beat Us on the
head-so." And efficiently proved the truth
Of thei' assertion, by the resdy and natural
mannsr in which they imits,ed this &C. OF
coniugal discipline.
To/orr: sound and healthy body III you
would SEQ the son Of you' prayers and hopes,
blooming With heslth, and rejoicing daily in
the full and sparkling tide OF you,hfu! boysn-
cy # you wish hin to DO strong and athletic
and esrelea, Of fatigue ;--be no, dseomposed d
st tho sight Of his seod hills 10 the road, his
snow forte in Feb'ua y, aud his mud dams in
April ;-nor when you chsnce to look out in
The midst OF On August shower, and see him
wsdng and sailing and sporting along with