as I was myself at beholding, in the midst of a nation which sought to
enrich itself, only by the plunder of its neighbours, so rare a specimen
of honest industry, one of those moral virtues which elevate the
character of a people upon a basis incomparably more firm and
respectable than any which can be raised by the sword, and in the
same proportion in which the arts of peace stand morally higher, and
are more honorable, than the arts of war.
That I might possess a genuine specimen of his workmanship,
I sent him some spike-nails to be made into a knife and a hassagay.
These he accomplished with tolerable exactness; and, if the tools
with which he worked, be considered, they afford a proof of some
skill.
After leaving the blacksmith, I went to a different part of the
town to take a further view of it, and make another sketch. All the
buildings were formed so nearly alike, that a painter finds but little
variety of subject for his pencil, if the outlines of the houses only
be regarded; but the scene is every where so strange and interesting,
and the moving accompaniments so varied and remarkable, that he
might for a long time employ himself at Litakun.
At my return home, I found a little girl standing in the mootsi,
looking at my people as they were at work. She was the prettiest I
had hitherto seen, and appeared to be about twelve or thirteen years
of age. She was the daughter of Mattivi; her name was Mtissisan
(Massisaan); and as she presented a good specimen of Bachapin
beauty, I asked her to sit for her portrait; to which she consented
with a degree of good nature which might give a favorable opinion of
her disposition. Seeing the book in my hand, she immediately comprehended
what was required of her, and with remarkable patience
stood perfectly still, till I had quite finished the drawing.
The accompanying plate will give a correct idea of her features
and appearance, and will, besides, exhibit the usual dress, and the
peculiar manner in which the females of this tribe twist their hair so
as to give it the form of a cap. This singular fashion will be more
particularly described in the eighteenth chapter. The only ornaments
which she wore, were two manjenas or mangjenas (manyanas) or
.T iu& hfd fy Juryman- £ • C tJ& f J.1823.