Change of Plans. — Farewell Entertainment. 321 



homeward bound. It was also his intention to institute 

 certain inquiries while residing in the capital of Peru, re- 

 specting the actual condition of those Tyrolese families, who, 

 misled by alluring prospects of all sorts, had resolved on 

 emigrating to Peru in 1851, and had since then sunk into a 

 most wretched state, according to indirect accounts received 

 of their unhappy case. Commodore Wiillerstorff, always ready 

 to assist, whenever it is in his power, in promoting and ad- 

 vancing scientific aims, at once acceded to this request, con- 

 ceiving that it was a deviation quite within the scope of his 

 instructions for the Expedition, and compatible with the ob- 

 jects aimed at by its illustrious projector. 



Before the departure of the Novara, the Austrian Consul- 

 General gave a splendid entertainment. This had been re- 

 peatedly postponed, as, under existing circumstances, it was 

 not certain whether Chilean society could well be present. 

 The intelligence, however, which a few days previous had 

 been received from the Northern provinces as to the attitude 

 of Government, the suppression of the insurrection, and the 

 flight of the leaders, had produced a vehement reaction in 

 the public mind, and, at least among governmental circles, 

 had given hope of a happy solution. 



Accordingly the ball came off, and very gay it was. The 

 spacious and elegant residence of M. Flemmich (the head of 

 the distinguished English firm of Huth, Griining, & Co.) was 

 richly adorned with flowers in every apartment, and the 

 whole brilliantly lit up, while a bevy of graceful ladies swept 



VOL. III. 



