always full of bright canary-color, is fastened with golden
brooches,--one in front and one at either side. As for the
remainder of the dress, it is simple enough: an embroidered, low-
cut chemise with sleeves; a skirt or _jupe_, very long behind,
but caught up and fastened in front below the breasts so as to
bring the hem everywhere to a level with the end of the long
chemise; and finally a _foulard_, or silken kerchief, thrown over
the shoulders. These _jupes_ and _foulards_, however, are
exquisite in pattern and color: bright crimson, bright yellow,
bright blue, bright green,--lilac, violet, rose,--sometimes
mingled in plaidings or checkerings or stripings: black with
orange, sky-blue with purple. And whatever be the colors of the
costume, which vary astonishingly, the coiffure must be yellow-
brilliant, flashing yellow--the turban is certain to have yellow
stripes or yellow squares. To this display add the effect of
costly and curious jewellery: immense earrings, each pendant being
formed of five gold cylinders joined together (cylinders sometimes
two inches long, and an inch at least in circumference);--a necklace
of double, triple, quadruple, or quintuple rows of large hollow gold
beads (sometimes smooth, but generally ally graven)--the wonderful
_collier-choux_. Now, this glowing jewellery is not a mere
imitation of pure metal: the ear-rings are worth one hundred and
seventy-five francs a pair; the necklace of a Martinique quadroon
may cost five hundred or even one thousand francs.... It may be
the gift of her lover, her _doudoux_, but such articles are
usually purchased either on time by small payments, or bead by
bead singly until the requisite number is made up.

But few are thus richly attired: the greater number of the women
carrying burdens on their heads,--peddling vegetables, cakes,