n all weathers. Around their
shoulders is thrown a description of plaid, generally of a brown
colour, about three feet wide and six feet long; and from keeping this
in its proper position, a slight stoop becomes habitual. They have
wide drawers of blue serge, or sometimes of the material of their
coats, which is thicker; of this also are their leggings formed. Under
the opunkas is worn a thick woollen sock; but in wet weather the men
and women usually go barefooted. On their head is a small round cap of
scarlet or black cloth. Their custom is to shave the whole of the face
excepting the mustaches, as well as the sides and crown of the head;
but from long neglect, it is often difficult to distinguish the
favoured localities. Petrarca, in his avocation of barber, was in the
greatest request. The costume of the women does not differ widely, but
the coat is longer, and a petticoat replaces the blue drawers--round
their waist is a belt of great weight, about three inches wide, and of
the thickest leather, set with cornelians and other coarse stones,
mounted in brass. The red cap is usual, and the hair is often prettily
braided. I have seen some head-dresses composed of silver coins. None
of the people seem to be in the habit of bathing or washing, and they
do not remove their garments at night. The children have often nothing
but a shirt. As a nation they are healthy and robust, though fevers
occur at certain times in some districts. Among the men two casts of
features are general; the one, known among us as the "Jack Sheppard
face"--the lower parts rather prominent, and the nose short and
somewhat turned up, the complexion and hair very dark. The other is
very different, a bright colour and high handsome features; yet nearly
every person one meets belongs to one of these two varieties. The
latter is commonest among the tallest men. They have all very good
teeth, and their expression is intelligent and good-humoured. As in
feature, so in stature, considerable uniformity appears. Their height
averages about five feet ten, with great development of muscle. The
women are relatively inferior in looks--they are broad and short,
seeming to possess great strength; but the labour they undergo, and
the burdens they carry, appear inimical to beauty. They have often
pleasant countenances and good brick-dust complexions. The Servian or
Naski here spoken is considered among the purest dialects of
Sclavonic--it has a very pleasing sound, b