You rarely saw a white face, but still less
would you see a discontented one, imperturbable good humour and self-
satisfaction being written on the features of every one. The women
struck me especially. They were smartly dressed in white calico,
scrupulously clean, and tricked out with ribands and feathers; but
their figures were so good, and they carried themselves so [43] well
and gracefully, that although they might make themselves absurd, they
could not look vulgar. Like the Greek and Etruscan women, they are
trained from childhood to carry weights on their heads. They are
thus perfectly upright, and plant their feet firmly and naturally on
the ground. They might serve for sculptors' models, and are well
aware of it."
Regarding the other sex, Mr. Froude says:--
"The men were active enough, driving carts, wheeling barrows, and
selling flying-fish," &c.
He also speaks with candour of the entire absence of drunkenness and
quarrelling and the agreeable prevalence of good humour and light-
heartedness among them. Some critic might, on reading the above
extract from our author's account of the men, be tempted to ask--"But
what is the meaning of that little word 'enough' occurring therein?"
We should be disposed to hazard a suggestion that Mr.
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