RIO JANEIRO. 69 
dress after the French fashion, and are usually covered with finery, 
often displaying splendid jewels, without taste. There is none of 
that ease and gaiety which exists where the fair sex is considered on 
an equality with the other, and there is a total absence of that tone 
which a consciousness of their value gives to society. Though there 
is a great advancement in their education, yet there is still much 
room for improvement. Formerly they were not allowed to be 
educated at all. Their usual place of resort during the afternoon 
and evening is the balconies of their houses; some of them are 
occasionally seen at church. It is said they soon lose their beauty, 
an early age being considered as their prime. 
It gives me pleasure to bear testimony that I witnessed an excep- 
tion to the above general rule. 
Among the many places to which we had the honour of an 
invitation, was the White-Jacket Ball, at Praya Grande, so called 
in consequence of a request being made on the card of invitation, 
that the gentlemen would come in white jackets, and the ladies 
appear without brilliants or other jewels. We gladly accepted the 
invitation. 
The row across the bay was. beautiful; the water, undisturbed by 
any breeze; the air cool and balmy; while thousands of lights along 
the shores, and the phosphorescence of the water, gave additional 
interest and brilliancy to the whole. The distance, though great, was 
not too much for so beautiful an evening. 
After being once or twice deceived, we at last found the landing, 
and walked a short distance from the beach. On reaching the 
anteroom, we were met by the committee of gentlemen or managers, 
and kindly greeted without ceremony, making us at once feel at our 
ease. We were shortly after ushered into one of the most splendid 
ball-rooms I ever saw ; it would contain over one thousand persons. 
There were upwards of three hundred present, all dressed in pure 
white, without any finery whatever. The room was brilliantly 
lighted. We were shown around and introduced to a great many 
persons of both sexes, who all seemed bent on amusement. It was 
truly a sans souci meeting. Seldom have I seen so much good taste 
as was displayed in the arrangements, or so good a tone of society. 
A good band of music, all Brazilians, played waltzes and marches 
alternately. I was told there were many distinguished persons, 
senators, representatives of the congress, &c, present. 
These balls take place monthly, and are really what they profess 
VOL. I. 18 
