StITA. 221 



men, who (except whilst dancing) did not 

 mix with the women. The room was mise- 

 rably lighted, — ^^just making darkness visi- 

 ble. The music consisted of a small harp, a 

 guitar, and a drum, formed by a small cask, 

 or piece ot wood hollovved out, and covered 

 with hide ; this is placed between the per- 

 former's knees ; he rests his wrist on the 

 edge, and beats time with his fingers. He 

 is a most necessary person at these assem- 

 blies, entirely regulating the time to be 

 kept by the other musicians. We were 

 paraded round the room, presented to all 

 the fair ones, and made acquainted with 

 the first characters amongst the men. Coun- 

 try-dances commenced, followed by double 

 fandangos, and waltzing, — in which latter 

 we joined. I was much disappointed in 

 the want of beauty, expecting in so tem- 

 perate an atmosphere to have met many 

 rosy cheeks; but not one did I find — all 

 dark and Moorish. 



