VALPARAISO. 159 
each other. We found our old lady sitting where we had left her, 
distributing advice and plants of various kinds to two or three women 
and children, who had collected round her while we were in the 
garden : 
For herbs she knew, and well of each could speak, 
That in her garden sipped the silvery dew, 
Where many a flower displayed its gaudy streak 
‘With herbs for use, and physic not a few, 
Of grey renown, within whose borders grew 
The tufted basil, pun-provoking thyme, 
Fresh baum, and marigold of cheerful hue, 
The lowly gill that never dares to climb ; 
And more I fain would sing, disdaining here to rhyme. 
Among the little girls were two fishermen’s children with laver, 
another sort of sea-weed, and several kinds of shell-fish for sale, 
some of which I had never seen before ; and upon my saying so, my 
young companion and I were asked to come some day to eat of them 
dressed in the country fashion. It was too late to-day to prepare 
any; but we were so earnestly pressed to come back after our 
intended walk to the Quebrada, farther on, and partake of the family 
dinner, that I, loving to see all things, readily consented; and 
accordingly returned at two o’clock to the flower-garden house. 
We found the mother sitting alone on the estrada, supported by 
her cushions, with a small low round table before her, on which was 
spread a cotton cloth, by no means clean. The daughters only 
served their mother; but ate their own meals in the kitchen by the 
fire. We were accommodated with seats at the old lady’s table. 
The first dish that appeared was a small platter of melted marrow, 
into which we were invited to dip the bread that had been presented 
to each, the old lady setting the example, and even presenting bits 
thoroughly sopped, with her fingers, to Miss H., who contrived to 
pass them on to a puppy who sat behind her. I, not being so near, 
escaped better; besides, as I really did not dislike the marrow, 
though I wished in vain for the addition of pepper and salt, I dipped 
my bread most diligently, and ate heartily. The bread in Chile is 
