214 BALL IN NEWFOUNDLAND. 



loose boards that formed a kind of loft overhead, where he soon ex- 

 changed his dripping apparel for a dress suited to the occasion, when 

 he dropped upon the floor, and strutting up and down, bowed and scrap- 

 ed to the ladies, with as much ease, if not elegance, as a Bond Street highly- 

 scented exquisite. Others came in by degrees, ready dressed, and music 

 was called for. My son, by way of overture, played " Hail Columbia, 

 happy land," then went on \vith " La Marseillaise," and ended with 

 " God save the King." Being merely a spectator, I ensconsed myself in 

 a comer, by the side of an old European gentleman, whom I found an 

 agreeable and well-informed companion, to admire the decorum of the 

 motley assemblage. 



The dancers stood in array, little time having been spent in choosing 

 partners, and a Canadian accompanying my son on his Cremona, mirth 

 and joy soon abounded. Dancing is certainly one of the most healthful 

 and innocent amusements. I have loved it a vast deal more than watching 

 for the nibble of a trout, and I have sometimes thought enjoying it with 

 an agreeable female softened my nature as much as the pale pure light of 

 the moon softens and beautifies a winter night. A maiden lady, who sat 

 at my side, and who was the only daughter of my talkative companion, 

 relished my remarks on the subject so much, that the next set saw her 

 gracing the floor with her tutored feet. 



At each pause of the musicians, refreshments were handed round by 

 the hostess and her son, and I was not a little surprised to see all the 

 ladies, maids and matrons, swallow, like their sweethearts and husbands, a 

 full glass of pure rum, with evident pleasure. I should perhaps have re- 

 collected that, in cold climates, a dose of ardent spirits is not productive 

 of the same effects as in burning latitudes, and that refinement had not 

 yet induced these healthy and robust dames to affect a dehcacy foreign 

 to their nature. 



It was now late, and knowing how much I had to accompUsh next 

 day, I left the party and proceeded towards the shore. My men were 

 sound asleep in the boat, but in a few moments I was on board the Rip- 

 ley. My young friends arrived towards daylight, but many of the fisher- 

 men's sons and daughters kept up the dance, to the music of the Cana- 

 dian, until after our breakfast was over. 



Although all the females whom I had seen at this ball were perfectly 

 free from mauvaise Jionte, we were much surprised when some of them, 

 which we afterwards met in the course of our rambles in the neighbour-^ 



