Note 203 — Chapter XIII

I presented one of these rings, some years since, to Mr. James Willis, ci-devant consul for Seni-Gambia; they are of pure gold, twisted, and open at the extremity, for the purpose of inserting them in the middle cartilage of the nose; and such is the fashion, that it is esteemed more genteel to appear in rags with a nose-ring, than in fine garments without one. I saw a party of these Wangareens whilst I was on a visit to the Viceroy of Suse, the Khalif Mohammed ben Delemy, who, when eating, threw the ring upwards, to prevent it from coming in contact with their mouth.