430 AUDUBON 



in by degrees, ready dressed, and music was called for. 

 My son, by way of overture, played " Hail Columbia, 

 happy land," then went on with " La Marseillaise," and 

 ended with " God save the King." Being merely a spec- 

 tator, I ensconced myself in a corner, by the side of an 

 old European gentleman, whom I found an agreeable and 

 well informed companion, to admire the decorum of the 

 motley assemblage. 



The dancers stood in array, little time having been spent 

 in choosing partners, and a Canadian accompanying my son 

 on his Cremona, mirth and joy soon abounded. Dancing 

 is certainly one of the most healthful and innocent amuse- 

 ments ; I have loved it a vast deal more than watching for 

 the nibble of a trout, and I have sometimes thought the 

 enjoyment of it softened my nature as much as the pale, 

 pure light of the moon softens and beautifies a winter 

 night. A maiden lady who sat at my side, and who was 

 the only daughter of my talkative companion, relished my 

 remarks on the subject so much that the next set saw her 

 gracing the floor with her tutored feet. 



At each pause of the musicians refreshments were 

 handed round by the hostess and her son, and I was not 

 a little surprised to see all the ladies, maids and matrons, 

 swallow, like their sweethearts and husbands, a full glass of 

 pure rum, with evident pleasure. I should perhaps have 

 recollected that, in cold climates, a glass of ardent spirits is 

 not productive of the same effects as in burning latitudes, 

 and that refinement had not yet induced these healthy and 

 robust dames to affect a delicacy foreign to their nature. 



It was now late, and knowing how much I had to ac- 

 complish next day, I left the party and proceeded to the 

 shore. My men were sound asleep in the boat, but in a 

 few moments I was on board the " Ripley." My young 

 friends arrived towards daylight, but many of the fisher- 

 men's sons and daughters kept up the dance, to the music 

 of the Canadian, until after our breakfast was over. 



