90 ELIZABETH CARY AGASSIZ 
they are leading, surrounded by beauties which they 
never see, all nature tempting them to walk, to row, 
to open their eyes only and look; and they sit speech- 
less and stupefied, putting on their fine things Sundays 
and festas to show themselves in the streets for a few 
minutes. They are more to be pitied than blamed, 
though; the men are to be blamed for it all. A woman 
is exposed to every sort of scrutiny and scandal who 
goes out unattended, and her only safety is to stay 
at home. I believe I am looked upon as a very ex- 
traordinary specimen; but everything is forgiven toa 
stranger, so I go on my way unmolested. When I am 
walking in the woods here, as I constantly do, I often 
meet Indian women (whose life is perfectly free and 
a thousand times pleasanter than the ladies’ life), 
and they always express their wonder at meeting a 
‘**senhora” alone and ask me if I am not afraid. To 
which I always answer, “No, why should I be? The 
senhoras in my country walk and row and ride and are 
perfectly safe, and I think it’s a great pity that your 
ladies never go out.”” 
... Would Georgie like another feather for her 
doll’s hat? Tell her as the winter was coming on, I 
thought she might like a change. I cut these from a 
bird which was beautiful when it was brought to us, 
but I see that they are losing some of their brilliancy. 
Give her my best of love and a kiss, and tell her that 
I hope they will not be spoiled before they reach 
Cambridge, and that they will be becoming. 
