1775. Among the Hottentots, as well as in all probability among the reft of mankind difperfed over the whole globe, we muft acknowledge the fair fex to be the moft modeft; for the females o f this nation, cover themfel ves much more fcrupuloufly than the men. They feldom content themfelves with one covering, but almoft always have two, and very often three. Thefe are made of a prepared and well-greafed ikin, and are fattened about their bodies with a thong, almoft like the aprons of our ladies. The outer- moft is always the Iargeft, meafuring from about fix inches to a foot over. This is likewife generally the fineft and moft ihowy, and frequently adorned with glafs beads ftrung in different figures, in a manner that ihows, even among the unpoliihed Hottentots, the fuperior talents and tafte o f the fair fex relative to drefs and ornament, as well as their powers o f invention and difpofition to fet off their perfons to the beft advantage. The outermoft apron, which is chiefly intended for ihow and parade, reaches about half way down the thighs. The middle one is about a third, or one half lefs, and is faid by them to be neeeffary by way of referve, and as an additional entrenchment of modefty, when their gala-gar- ment is laid afide. The third, or innermoft, which is fcarcely larger than one’s hand, is faid to be ufeful at certain periods, which are much lefs troublefome to the fair fex here than in Europe. All thefe aprons, however, even - to that which is decorated with beads, are not lefs be- fmeared and greafy than their bodies. So that it was probably fome of thefe aprons, particularly the innermoft, which jnifled the reverend jefuit T ackard, T a c k a r d , who, on hist return to Europe, firft propa- um gated thofe ftories concerning the natural veils or ex-, crefcences o f the Hottentot Women. Thefe females, moreover, are careful, as a matter of decency, to pull their aprons tight about them, fo as to reach under their feat when they fit down. In other refpeiis, the garment worn by the Hottentots for covering their bodies is a fheep-fkin, with the woolly fide turned inwards; this pellifle, or a cloak made of fome fmaller fur, is tied forwards over the breaft. When the weather is not cold, they let it hang loofe over their Ihoulders in a carelefs manner, when it reaches flown to the calves o f the legs, leaving the lower part o f the breaft, ftomach, and fore part of the legs and thighs bare; but in rainy and cold weather they wrap it round them; io that the fore part of the body likewife, is in fome mea- fure covered with it as far as below the knees.’ As orte fheep-ikin alone is not fufiicient for this pur- pofe, there is a piece fewed oh’ at the top on each fide, (or to fpeak more properly) fattened on with a thong, finew or catgut. In warmer weather they wear this cloak fome- times with the hairy fide outwards, but in that cafe they oftener take it off entirely and carry it on their arms. In general, the Hottentots do not burden themfelves with a great many changes o f thefe cloaks or krojes, (as they call them in broken Dutch) but are content with one, which ferves them at the fame time for clothing and bed- ding; and in this they lie on the bare ground, drawing themfelves up in a heap fo clofe, efpecially when the: wea- B b 2 ther
27f 72-1
To see the actual publication please follow the link above