SOCIETY. 146 



table between the different courses, the promenade, are alike infested; and if one it known to 

 smoke the weed at any time, he is really importuned to follow the custom incessantly. It in 

 presuincil that the ladies have become "used to it," as eels are said to do about skinning; 

 for it is ilillicult to conci-ivo that the odor of burning tobacco is originally grateful to the olfac- 

 turirs of any one. Erstwhile they, too, were accused of indulging in the vice, and of especially 

 favoring gallants by the presentation of a cigar which their own sweet lips had touched in 

 ; but as no such distinguished compliment ever was paid to ourselves, we are envious 

 to believe the charge wholly scandalous. So universal is the custom among the "lords 

 of creation," that it is rare to find a parlor without its silver brasito, containing a burning coal ; 

 and the three principal promenades are frequented by boys provided with fire, which they offer 

 to passers-by, in expectation of a mediocito in return. 



Like an overgrown country village through which there are few travellers, and but occasional 

 intercourse with the rest of the world, it is quite natural that Santiago should become a very hot- 

 bed of gossip, if not of scandal. If a stranger of note arrive, there being but one direction to come 

 from, it is known through the city by nightfall. Should he, in his ignorance of the habits of 

 the nation, make a remark respecting any one, it is repeated through every coterie; and in this 

 case, contrary to the proverb respecting the "rolling stone," so much moss is gathered that, 

 before the end of the week, his originally innocent language may come back to him in a shape 

 causing the deepest mortification or regret. At times, intelligence of the most trivial character 

 is transmitted with a degree of celerity absolutely surprising, and it seems impossible for any 

 act or conversation wholly to escape the argus-eyed and inquisitive public. With such a pro- 

 pensity to gossip, few families wholly elude slanderous remarks ; and, in justice to all, one must 

 discredit at least three fourths of the reports circulated. These rumors, or presumed events, are 

 not generally talked of with malicious motive, or from ill-will toward the person, but from a 

 desire to tell news ; indeed, amiability is quite a decided characteristic with the most inveterate 

 gossips among them. But, as might be anticipated, the predilection has disunited no small 

 number of families, whose individuals, with bitterness at heart, are courteous and affable when 

 by chance they meet in the house of another, though nothing would tempt them to darken each 

 other's doors. Sincerity and affection are what they are most wanting in; virtues in which 

 they cannot become eminent until a different system of domestic education has been adminis- 

 tered to at least two generations. 



If ladies are out visiting, unless some one of the young men is sufficiently an admirer to offer 

 such courtesy, they come home at all hours unattended by gentlemen. Although there may be 

 half a dozen beaux in the saloon they have left, they are rarely accompanied except by a servant ; 

 so that, if a gentleman and lady are met in the street together even after midnight, it would 

 be safe to wager, nine times in ten, that they are not husband and wife. Yet, insults to ladies 

 in the streets are exceedingly rare, and it is a source of the deepest mortification to acknowledge 

 that Anglo-Saxons have been the most (in)famous in this respect. One to whom special refer- 

 ence was made by citizens, was a countryman of our own in Santiago some years since ; another, 

 equally notorious, an Englishman more recently a resident, both occupying positions which 

 should have warranted ladies to regard them as protectors. Yet, if not guilty of rude language, 

 there is an evident want of courtesy towards them in the street, on the part of their country- 

 men ; men who claim to be gentlemen retaining their places on the narrow sidewalk, or, as often 

 as not, taking the inside, unless the promenader happen to be an acquaintance. At the same 

 time, if a male friend to whom he is desirous of showing marked civility approach, he will turn 

 out from the instant of recognition to give him the inside; and a complimentary contest often 

 occurs in the middle of the street, on these occasions, each one striving to make the other pass 

 inside. In order to carry out an excess of attentive civility at such times, gentlemen often cross 

 to the opposite wall rather than be outdone in their fancied courtesy. 



In all countries where the Catholic religion is exclusive, the customs of society prohibit 

 unmarried ladies from receiving the visits of gentlemen, or from being in their company 

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