Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 2 (Stockdale).djvu/62

48 ladies, as they sit with their knees asunder, to cover with one foot, what modesty bids them conceal in that situation.

These people seemed to be so nearly in a state of nature, that their most trifling actions appeared to me worthy of observation. I shall not pass over in silence, therefore, the correction a father gave one of his children, for having thrown a stone at the back of another younger than himself: it was merely a light slap on the shoulder, which made him shed tears, and prevented his doing so again.

The painter to the expedition expressed to these savages a wish of having his skin covered like theirs with the powder of charcoal. His request, as might naturally be supposed, was favourably received; and immediately one of the natives selected some of the most friable coals, which he ground to powder by rubbing them between his hands. This powder he applied to all the parts of the body that were uncovered, employing nothing to make it adhere beside the rubbing of the hand, and our friend Piron was presently as black as a New-Hollander. The savage appeared highly satisfied with his performance, which he finished by gently blowing off the dust that adhered very slightly, taking particular care to remove all that might have gotten into the eyes. When