chap. II.] PARTIES. 35 



both by the public, are rarely met with in Portugal or her 

 colonies. 



PARTIES. 



The hospitality of Madeira merchants is proverbial. They 

 give many pleasant parties and balls for the entertainment of 

 their friends, and all is done that kindness and consideration 

 can do to make people forget the distance at which they are 

 from their homes. Funchal parties are not generally in- 

 fected with the contagion of the late hours of London. It is 

 practicable to unite sociability with prudence, and retire to 

 rest at a moderate bour. For those who are seeking health, 

 however, the wisest course is to go out as little as possible at 

 night. The English and Portuguese do not mix often to- 

 gether in society, and there is consequently very little to 

 remind you that you are living amongst foreigners. Such in- 

 tercourse, however, as you hold with the Portuguese is agree- 

 able, from their civility, good-nature, and absence of pride. 



