BALL. 



47 



longer in the capital, to have seen more of the dif- 

 ferent members of Government, as well as to ex- 

 tend my acquaintance amongst the English resi- 

 dents, and the merchants of the country. 



I reached Valparaiso before the French ships 

 made their appearance, and was much struck with 

 the ill-suppressed anxiety with which the inhabit- 

 ants awaited the event. National pride forbade 

 the expression of any alarm, but a knowledge of 

 the defenceless state of the place filled them with 

 very natural apprehension. Nothing, however, as 

 the event proved, could be more unfounded than 

 such fears ; for the Frenchmen, after a short and 

 friendly visit, sailed away again, carrying off the 

 hearts of half the ladies of the Port. 



Previous to their departure the Governor gave 

 a grand ball to the French Admiral and his offi- 

 cers ; and, without considering the size of his 

 rooms, invited the whole beauty and fashion of the 

 town to meet them. Many of the company, well 

 known to be in indigent circumstances, and whose 

 ordinary style of living was of the humblest de- 

 scription, surprised us by appearing in rich dresses, 

 and wearing jewels of considerable value. There 



