Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/264

228 excites the envy of all the other ladies in the world. Art thou desirous to see the mischiefs by which this detestable paint is accompanied? Remark the forehead, which has a somewhat disproportionate width: it proves that the hair has fallen off at the temples, by the friction of this vile ingredient. Observe, now that she smiles: she has several decayed teeth; and if it were lawful for thee to approach her, thou wouldst be sensible that her breath even is in some measure vitiated. All these are consequences of the same abuse."

"The hands," exclaimed in continuation the scrupulous censor, "those hands which, physically, are beyond a doubt well shaped, delicate, and handsome, have, in a moral point of view, several very notable defects. Those honourable marks which the use of the needle, or of the distaff, occasionally leaves, are not to be traced on them. Among her country-women, it is considered as derogatory, to know how to take up a loop in a stocking; and but few are to be found who are able to embroider a pair of ruffles, for the husband, or for the boys. The discoloration which is so perceptible at the tips of the thumb, fore-finger, and middle finger of the right hand, is owing to these extremities being regularly made to answer the purpose of the fork, in the repasts:—a filthy practice by which the strongest stomach must be nauseated. Fortunately, however, this indelicacy is not to be found among certain principal nymphs who are the flower and the glory of that highly favoured country. So long as Eugenia and her few culpable companions shall persist in this uncleanly custom, they will not merit my prepossession, nor the suffrage of Justice."

Here the old man made a brief pause, as if he meant to point out