Manners, customs and genius of the natives

“The natives of these islands, although their deportment is grave, are extremely quick and sensible. The women are remarkable for their vivacity and sprightly conversation, which far exceeds that of the French, English, or other northern nations. […] The gentry of these islands are commonly poor, yet extremely polite and well bred. The peasants and laboring poor are not without a considerable share of good manners, and have little of that surly rusticity which is so common among the lower kind of people in England; yet they do not seem to be abashed or ashamed in presence of their superiors. […].

People of all ranks in these islands are of an amorous disposition; their notions of love are somewhat romantic, which may be owing to the want of innocent freedom between the sexes […]. Young men are not permitted to court young girls when they have no intention to marry them; for if a woman can prove that a man has, in the least instance, endeavoured to win her affections, she can oblige him to marry her. I do not remember to have ever sailed from the Canary Islands, without being strongly importuned to allow young fellows to embark with me, who were under promise of marriage, and wanted to forsake their mistresses […].

Many young married men go to those ports (South-American ports) from the Canary islands with an intention to get a little money and return to their families; but they seldom find the way back again, for after they have contracted acquaintance with the gallant ladies of that country, who swim in luxury and pomp, they are ashamed to send to the Canaries for their home-bred rustic wives.”

George Glas