88 . THE FANDANGO. 
and often use it in winter as a surtout: among 
the common people it makes the daily, and 
sometimes even the only clothing. 
The officers of the regiment stationed here 
politely gave a ball in our honour, which, as 
might be expected in this poor village, did not 
prove very brilliant; but as my young officers 
found plenty of pretty and agreeable partners, 
they were perfectly satisfied. The old custom 
of opening a ball with a minuet is still practised 
here, and the Chilians dance it remarkably well. 
Besides the dances common among us, a sort | 
of fandango is a favourite here: it is expressly 
adapted to display the graces of a fine figure to 
the best advantage, and is danced by two per- 
sons, whose picturesque attitudes and motions 
are accompanied on the guitar, and by tender 
songs, according in expression with the panto- 
mimical representations of the dance. 
We determined to return the complaisance of 
the natives by giving a ball on board our ship 
to our acquaintances in Talcaguana, and some 
from Conception. My officers made every effort 
to surpass the Chilians in the elegance of their 
entertainment; and having been detained on 
