The Elderly Ladies, In General, Made Sure Of A
Prize By A Little Artful Flattery.
They commonly enquired for our
names, and then adopted us as their sons, at the same time introducing
to us the several relations, whom we acquired by this means.
After a
series of little caresses, the old lady began, Aima poe-eetee no te
tayo mettua? "Have you not a little bead for your kind mother?" Such
a trial of our filial attachment always had its desired effect, as we
could not fail to draw the most favourable conclusions from thence in
regard to the general kind disposition of the whole people: for to
expect a good quality in others, of which we ourselves are not
possessed, is a refinement in manners peculiar to polished nations.
Our other female relations in the bloom of youth, with some share of
beauty, and constant endeavours to please, laid a claim to our
affections by giving themselves the tender name of sisters; and all
the world will agree that this attack was perfectly irresistible." But
it must not be imagined that the fair sisters in this happy island,
any more than elsewhere, were exempt from certain ruder passions, by
which, at times, they seem to vie with the lords of the creation. Mr
F. has preserved a very characteristic trait of such a spirit of
domination in his account of one of the Potatow's wives, which may be
read, but it is to be hoped will not be imitated, by any of our female
friends.
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