78 DINNER AND BALL AT MENDOZA. 



shewn to rne as a chronometer, and some bauble 

 paste rings as diamonds : fans smeared over 

 with gold and silver spangles and stars, were 

 represented as very superb, and in high request 

 among the ladies of Mendoza, to whom we were 

 to have the honour of being introduced, which 

 ceremony took place soon after our arrival, a 

 dinner and ball being given for the purpose. 

 Frequently were we asked, very seriously, if 

 this carriage really did belong to the M.s, such 

 a thing never having before been seen in Men- 

 doza ; for I have observed, it was not one of the 

 vehicles of the country, but a light, English, 

 travelling-carriage. The day of days arrived — 

 the carriage was flying about the town, with a 

 couple of mules, to bring all the ladies to dinner, 

 in order to meet the foreign gentlemen. We 

 were all seated higgledy-piggledy at table ; dish 

 after dish came in ; every one helped themselves ; 

 no carving was required, being all made dishes : 

 The master of the house was walking round the 

 room, with his coat oif, very comfortably smoking 



