46 



EVENING PARTIES. 



/ 



tage the proportions of their figures. In fact 

 the head alone is exhibited or adorned, the 

 rest of the person, loosely attired, being en- 

 veloped in an ample shawl. The young 

 ladies, although of dark complexions, are 

 not destitute of a ruddy glow of counte- 

 nance, nor of agreeable manners besides. 

 They converse with ease and vivacity, and 

 are extremely inquisitive about the state 

 of society in England ; they sing with feel- 

 ing and discrimination, accompanying their 

 voices with the guitar, or a small harp, like 

 the ancient Irish one ; they are passionately 

 fond of dancing, and the waltz is a great 

 favourite with them. The natural capacity 

 and talents they evince, excite regret for the 

 entire neglect of their education, the defects 

 of which the conversation addressed to them 

 by the men is little adapted to supply. 

 Gallantry, though universally professed by 

 the latter, does not seem to inspire them 

 with any idea of those pleasing assiduities. 



