232 CUSTOMS AND MANNERS. 



dral. church, from which it is distant about fifty paces. 

 Thence the expe6tants proceed, either to seek diversion from 

 the chances which may present themselves, or to wait the 

 appointments that have been already made. It is needless 

 to add, that the Calk del Pcligro (Hazard-street), for so this 

 street is denominated, on account of the dangers to which 

 libertines were formerly exposed, in their intercourse with 

 the abandoned females by whom it was frequented, still con- 

 tinues to be the rendezvous of gallantry. 



The station occupied by the women who deal in flowers, 

 is divided between those whose speculations are on a large 

 scale, and the retailers. The former have their backs to 

 the church ; each of them confining herself to one or 

 two specieses of flowers. They are the female gardeners ; 

 and in their front are ranged those who make the pu~ 

 cheros, on the tables placed before them. They are very 

 intent on this occupation, and at the same time very cour- 

 teous. 



In private houses, the puchero, or that which corresponds 

 to the puchero^ is constantly made to serve as a domestic and 

 favourite gratification. The ladies select the flowers, and free 

 them from the sandy and seminal particles, which are apt to 

 soil, and are devoid of scent ; such as the yellow at the extre- 

 mity of the orange-flower, the fibrils of which give out an 

 amber stain, in common with those of the daisy and rose-bud, 

 and of the blossoms of the medlar, apple, and smaller fruits. 

 Having sprinkled them afresh with the purest water, they are 

 placed beneath a crystal vase, into which is introduced a small 

 chafing-dish filled with live coals. On this chafing-dish is 

 poured the most exquisite perfume, blended with different aro- 



matics. 



