WASHER-WOMEN OF BUENOS AYRES. 289 



ding^ or other joyous ceremony^ is celebrated 

 with African magnificence ; a canopy is formed 

 from the linen^ and the heroine of the day placed 

 under it ; red handkerchiefs for flags are carried 

 upon sticks^ with saucepans, drums, &lc. They 

 dance pas-seuls, after the mode of Guinea and 

 Mozambique 1 presume. The music consists of 

 singing and clapping of hands ; thunders of ap- 

 plause follow — Parisot and Angiolini never re- 

 ceived more ; a general shout ends the enter- 

 tainments. Their adherence to African customs 

 is a peculiar trait. At the approach of rain 

 confusion seems at its height, and ^ chaos come 

 again ;^ the ladies hurrying in all directions to 

 save their linen from the pitiless storm.'^ 



The landing at Buenos Ayres is very bad, 

 being obliged to get out in large carts ; for the 

 boat touches the ground sometimes at a distance 

 of more than a quarter of a mile from the shore. 

 Not unfrequently will these carts upset amongst 

 the rocks, discharging their whole contents of 

 passengers and luggage into the water ; although 



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