84 WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA. 



to the north of the line, and wear scarlet to the south 

 of it. 



For three months in the year the environs of Pernam- 

 buco are animated beyond description. From 

 November to March the weather is particu- 

 larly fine ; then it is that rich and poor, young and old, 

 foreigners and natives, all issue from the city to enjoy 

 the country till Lent approaches, when back they hie 

 them. Villages and hamlets, where nothing before but 

 rags was seen, now shine in all the elegance of dress ; 

 every house, every room, every shed become eligible 

 places for those whom nothing but extreme necessity 

 could have forced to live there a few weeks ago : some 

 join in the merry dance, others saunter up and down 

 the orange-groves; and towards evening the roads 

 become a moving scene of silks and jewels. The gaming- 

 tables have constant visitors ; there thousands are daily 

 and nightly lost and won ; parties even sit down to try 

 their luck round the outside of the door as well as in 

 the room : 



" Vestibulum ante ipsum primisque in faucibus aulas 

 Luctus et ul trices, posuere sedilia curse." 



About six or seven miles from Pernambuco stands a 



pretty little village called Monteiro; the 



river runs close by it, and its rural beauties 



seem to surpass all others in the neighbourhood ; there 



the Captain-General of Pernambuco resides during this 



time of merriment and joy. 



The traveller who allots a portion of his time to peep 

 at his fellow-creatures in their relaxations, and accustoms 

 himself to read their several little histories in their 

 looks and gestures as he goes musing on, may have full 

 occupation for an hour or two every day at this season 



