1832.] POINTS OF ETIQUETTE 41 



turf we saw many ostriches (Strutbio rbea). Some of tbe flocks 

 contained as many as twenty or thirty birds. These, when standing 

 on any little eminence, and seen against the clear sky, presented a 

 very noble appearance. I never met with such tame ostriches in 

 any other part of the country : it was easy to gallop up within a 

 short distance of them; but then, expanding their wings, they made 

 all sail right before the wind, and soon left the horse astern. 



At night we came to the house of Don Juan Fuentes, a rich 

 lauded proprietor, but not personally known to either of my com- 

 panions. On approaching the house of a stranger, it is usual to 

 follow several little points of etiquette : riding up slowly to the door, 

 the salutation of Ave Maria is given, and until somebody comes out 

 and asks you to alight, it is not customary even to get off your 

 horse : the formal answer of the owner is, " sin pecado concebida " 

 that is, conceived without sin. Having entered the house, some 

 general conversation is kept up for a few minutes, till permission 

 is asked to pass the night there. This is granted as a matter of 

 course. The stranger then takes his meals with the family, and a 

 room is assigned him, where with the horsecloths belonging to his 

 recado (or saddle of the Pampas) he makes his bed. It is curious 

 how similar circumstances produce such similar results in manners. 

 At the Cape of Good Hope the same hospitality, and very nearly the 

 same points of etiquette, are universally observed. The difference, 

 however, between the character of the Spaniard and that of the 

 Dutch boer is shown, by the former never asking his guest a single 

 question beyond the strictest rule of politeness, whilst the honest 

 Dutchman demands where he has been, where he is going, what is 

 his business, and even how many brothers, sisters, or children he 

 may happen to have. 



Shortly after our arrival at Don Juan's, one of the large herds 

 of cattle was driven in towards the house, and three beasts were 

 picked out to be slaughtered for the supply of the establishment. 

 These half-wild cattle are very active; and knowing full well the 

 fatal lazo, they led the horses a long and laborious chase. After 

 witnessing the rude wealth displayed in the number of cattle, men, 

 and horses, Don Juan's miserable house was quite curious. The 

 floor consisted of hardened mud, and the windows were without 

 glass ; the sitting-room boasted only of a few of the roughest chairs 

 and stools, with a couple of tables. The supper, although several 

 strangers were present, consisted of two huge piles, one of roast 



