Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1888-09-22
NINE WOMEN TO ONE MAN.
And They as Beautiful as Can he
Found i'm the World.
From the Boston Transcript

Paraguay is surely one of the most
favored lands on earth. There no III
sane love of gold compels the heart to
quest onable deeds. No political situa-
ton harnesses the mind. The very at
mosphere breathes peace. The air IS
soft and halmy, inviting to repose, ana
prolific nature, throwing about every
thing her garments Of rich vegetation,
supplies man with all the needs and
beautities all thar his eyes rest upon.
Paraguay is, indeed, almost q falryland
of romance, so beautiful are its mani
fold attractions. The native portion al
the population is remnant of the tribe
of Guarani Indians, one of the loftlest
tribes in the grade of civilization of all
the American race.
But nothing astonishcs the visitor to
Paraguay so much as the vast prepon-
derance Of tho female over the male pop
ulation. The proportion is something
like nine to one. This is the result of
long and very fierce war, in which the
Guaranians followed and supported q
cruel and ambitious ruler through in
describable harlships and sutferings.
This war ended only with the death Of
the man who wagcd il, AMI has reduced
the whole population to about one-sixth
Of what it was twenty years ago, leaving
only women and boys. These women
are as beautiful and fair to look upon
as can be found in any part of the
world.
They are of medium height, rather
slight and 1.-the, with finely moulded
limbs, small, pretty hands and feet, and
figures of matchless grace and beauty
that would serve for models OF the
sculptor's art. Their carriage is so easy
and natural as to be almost the poetry
of motion for the freedom from high
heeled boots and tight clothing has left
their step light, supple and strong.
Their dress is of the simplest form, u
short tunic or robe, not unlike skirt
falling to below the knees, and shou.-
der covering not unlike shawl-both Of
pure white, and adorned with pretty
native lace.
They are gracefully worn and be
witchinely serve to half reveal and half
conceal the form beneath. In the mid
day siesta they are fond of lying
languidly in their hammocks, slipping
their mate and singing in their low,
sweet voices, vet sal and with touch
of melancholy, the "narancaras, or
songs of the orange gatherers, or those
other strange, weird songs OF theirs,
whose words are all of love Indeed,
what need to do aught els in a land so
blessed rs theirs
Living entirely upon fruits and vcge.
tables that are secured with bat little
effort; unmoved ly the ambitious
peans, upon whom they look with ques-
tioning wonder, and possessed Of
languid volupuOus natures that are fos-
tered by the climate, what else should
they do save love and dance and sing!
Dancing is their only pastimc, and into
that they throw the whole spirit of their
joyous nature. The slightest excuse is
all that is necessary for getting mp
ball, at which the whole neighborhCod
ut once assemblies.
The girls and women are dressed only
in the robes described. The men wear
white linen trousers anl red pouches.
The dancers are in quaint original fig
urcs. but nearly always very graceful.
Sometimes the festivities will he kept
up through the entire night. after which
the participants will gayly return to
their occupation of whatsoever mature,
always con:entel, always happy. Some.
times there will he n grand contribution
picnic at some distant point, where the
dancing will be kept mp the round Of
whole twenty-four hours. For truly
these people live but to be happy
through the livelong day.
One is not surprised to hear that
many Europeans, Eneli>hmen among
the rest, have settled down in the coun-
try.