142 



CHILI. 



way up the approach, when we were overtaken by 

 two riders, one of whom proved to be the master 

 of the house. He immediately dismounted, and 

 welcomed us to the country with a frankness of 

 manner, and a kindliness of tone peculiarly pleas- 

 ing to an uninvited visitor. The ladies of the fa- 

 mily, they said, were just behind us, the whole 

 party being on their return from a little dance in 

 the neighbourhood. We therefore hurried on, 

 and had our horses put away in time 4;o hand the 

 ladies from their careta. 



22th of March. — When we met the next morn- 

 ing, every one looked well pleased to find himself 

 in the country free from the bustle and distraction 

 of the capital. The fresh feeling, always pro- 

 duced by the free air of the fields, was increased 

 on this occasion by their being covered with vines, 

 and olive trees, and sweet-scented shrubs, and 

 decked out with all sorts of gay blossoms. There 

 is a genial influence in the country in all climates, 

 under which the frost of etiquette melts^ away:, the 

 natural character comes into view, and inany ami- 

 able qualities, heretofore unobserved, are disco- 

 vered and acknowledged. But we missed: the so- 



