CLIMATE. 33 



Indies, the burning heat never ceases all the year 

 round. It is true that the custom of European dress 

 is often waived in the more social circles that gather 

 round the tea-table, where the light, cool and elegant 

 vestures of the East supersede the cumbrous garb 

 of Northern chmates. 



It " were a consummation devoutly to be wished," 

 though, I fear, little to be expected, that J;he Euro- 

 pean badges of distinction, in exterior decoration, 

 could be dispensed with' at all festivals, public and 

 private, formal, social, or domestic, in warm latitudes. 

 It requires but the most superficial glance to per- 

 ceive that coolness during our repasts is salutary, as 

 well as comfortable; and that, from the extensive 

 sympathies existing between the skin and several 

 important organs, particularly the stomach and liver, 

 the converse of the position is equally true ; espe- 

 cially as, in the latter case, we are led a little too 

 much to the use of " gently stimulating liquids " to 

 support the discharge. 



The newly arrived European justly observes that 

 he finds himself drenched with perspiratiqn three or 

 four times a day, in which state he cannot remain 

 with either safety or comfort. Certainly, it would 

 be useless to point out the evil without suggesting 

 the remedy ; and, happily, it may be obviated, to 



3 



