90 ELIZABETH CARY AGASSIZ 



they are leading, surrounded by beauties which they 

 never see, all nature tempting them to walk, to row, 

 to open their eyes only and look; and they sit speech- 

 less and stupefied, putting on their fine things Sundays 

 and festas to show themselves in the streets for a few 

 minutes. They are more to be pitied than blamed, 

 though; the men are to be blamed for it all. A woman 

 is exposed to every sort of scrutiny and scandal who 

 goes out unattended, and her only safety is to stay 

 at home. I believe I am looked upon as a very ex- 

 traordinary specimen; but everything is forgiven to a 

 stranger, so I go on my way unmolested. When I am 

 walking in the woods here, as I constantly do, I often 

 meet Indian women (whose life is perfectly free and 

 a thousand times pleasanter than the ladies' life), 

 and they always express their wonder at meeting a 

 "senhora" alone and ask me if I am not afraid. To 

 which I always answer, "No, why should I be? The 

 senhoras in my country walk and row and ride and are 

 perfectly safe, and I think it's a great pity that your 

 ladies never go out." 



. . . Would Georgie like another feather for her 

 doll's hat? Tell her as the winter was coming on, I 

 thought she might like a change. I cut these from a 

 bird which was beautiful when it was brought to us, 

 but I see that they are losing some of their brilliancy. 

 Give her my best of love and a kiss, and tell her that 

 I hope they will not be spoiled before they reach 

 Cambridge, and that they will be becoming. 



