Libr@rsi

1 656 - 58] RELA TION OF 1637 -58 285
After he has been well bedaubed, he is looked upon
as a handsome man, whereas in Europe he would be
taken for a demon.
[no] In France, large eyes, and lips rather com-
pressed than open, are beautiful. In Africa, small
eyes, the blackest complexion, and hanging, recurved
lips make a beautiful face. In Canadas, black eyes
and a large face, after the style of the ancient Caesars,
bear off the prize for beauty and grace. In Europe,
the whitest teeth are the most beautiful. The
Moors and Savages surpass us in this attraction,
having teeth whiter than ivory. In some parts of
Oriental India, those who eat the Betel-nut have
red teeth ; and this color constitutes a part of their
glory.
In France, hair that is a little blond, well washed
with soap and cleansed of oil, carefully arranged and
curled, is the most beautiful. Negroes like it short,
black, and very crisp. The Savages wish it long,
stiff, black, and all lustrous with grease. A curly
head is as ugly to them as it is beautiful in France.
There is nothing so grotesque as a Savage's head-
dress. Instead of [in] Cyprus powder, they sprinkle
their well-greased hair with down, or the tiny feath-
ers of birds, and with this fine adornment think
themselves as comely as those who wear ribbons.
Indeed, this down is as delicate as the web of the
silkworm.
The hair is not dressed according to fashion in that
country. Their fancy is their fashion. Some wear it
erect on the head, pointing upward. There is a whole
Nation called the cheveux relevez, because they like
this mode of head-dress. Others shave the middle
of the head, wearing hair only on the two sides, like