YOUTH AND EARLY WRITINGS 69 



white, collars Shakespeare style, very small bonnets, 

 chiefly little hats ; chignons are invisible, thank Heaven ! 

 The hair is done very nicely ; no pads. It is often done 

 in two bundles ! — 'One on each side of the parting, with one 

 piece drawn back between them from the forehead to the 

 nape of the neck. Often the neck is open, which I like. 

 This would suit Lizzie Cowley. This is walking dress. 

 Evening dress is generally closed up to the neck, and 

 resembles a waistcoat. With a Shakespeare collar and the 

 hair done close to the head, these dark ladies look almost 

 like very handsome men. I have several times at the 

 opera, where one cannot see the petticoat, had to look 

 twice to make sure, and then only told by the absence of 

 whiskers, and the expression of trusting, relying upon 

 others, which always dwells upon a woman's face. Fans 

 are used by every lady who thinks anything of herself, 

 and very skilfully too. It is impossible not to fall in love 

 with these girls. They are so animated, so full of life — 

 to watch them converse is a study — so different from our 

 cold, milk-and-water, yes and no young ladies. I am 

 dreadfully annoyed that I do not speak and read fluently, 

 for manners are very easy here, and I could often join 

 parties. I admire them greatly — they are so graceful. 

 The children are almost as interesting. I used to hate 

 children. I don't know why, but I am growing very fond 

 of them. They are dressed most charmingly, with such 

 taste, and then, to see little things of 4 and 5 gesturing 

 away whUe they talk is very amusing. Everyone is 

 sociable here, and all Brussels has a great reunion once 

 a day in the park or on the Boulevards. In the park you 

 take a chair for 5 cents, and converse or watch the com- 

 pany promenade, while the children romp, play kiss-in- 

 the-ring, and laugh, whUe the wind blows the yellow 

 leaves of autumn rustling along, and the fountain plays, 

 and the sun shines warm. Such an atmosphere of happi- 

 ness I never saw, as full as is this city. Everyone seems 

 happy — horses fat, dogs fat, workmen fat. I have been 

 here a week nearly, and have not seen one beggar, and not 



