66 RIO JANEIRO. 



corps, many retired gentlemen, and generally the officers of the several 

 men-of-war of different nations. I had the pleasure of meeting some 

 old friends, and the time I could spare was very agreeably spent in 

 their society. 



There appears to be but little intercourse between the Brazilians and 

 the foreign society. The female sex particularly is still much restricted 

 in this respect, and although great improvement has taken place, yet 

 they seldom mix in social intercourse with foreigners ; I am told that 

 even among themselves they are seldom seen except at ceremonious 

 parties. They are very much as one would expect them to be, 

 reserved, retiring, and wanting in education. They 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 at fault, we at last found the landing, 

 and walked a short distance from the beach. On reaching the 

 ante-room, 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 



