WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA. 305 



ladies are persuaded that the head can be ornamented 

 without a cap. A rose-bud or two, a woodbine, or a sprig 

 of eglantine, look well in the braided hair ; and if there 

 be raven locks, a lily or a snowdrop may be interwoven 

 with effect. 



Now that the packets are so safe, and make such quick 

 passages to the United States, it would be as well if some 

 of our head milliners would go on board of them, in lieu 

 of getting into the Diligence for Paris. They would bring 

 back more taste, and less caricature. And if they could 

 persuade a dozen or two of the farmers' servant girls to 

 return with them, we should soon have proof positive, 

 that as good butter and cheese may be made with the hair 

 braided up, and a daisy or primrose in it, as butter and 

 cheese made in a cap of barbarous shape ; washed, perhaps, 

 in soap-suds last new moon. 



New York has very good hotels, and genteel boarding- 

 houses. All charges included, you do not pay above two 

 dollars a day. Little enough, when you consider the 

 capital accommodations, and the abundance of food. 



In this city, as well as in others which I visited, every 

 body seemed to walk at his ease. I could see no inclina- 

 tion for jostling ; no impertinent staring at you ; nor 

 attempts to create a row in order to pick your pocket. I 

 would stand for an hour together in Broadway, to observe 

 the passing multitude. There is certainly a gentleness in 

 these people, both to be admired and imitated. I could 

 see very few dogs, still fewer cats, and but a very small 

 proportion of fat women in the streets of New York. The 

 climate was the only thing that I had really to find fault 

 with ; and as the autumn was now approaching, I began to 

 think of preparing for warmer regions. 



Strangers are apt to get violent cold, on account of the 

 sudden change of the atmosphere. The noon would often 



X 



