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as they. Many of the good citizens invited us to their houses, and 

 sent for their friends to come and look at us. As the dwelling we 

 occupied was very large, we were frequently entertained by Crowds 

 of young persons of both sexes, who came to the door to see how 

 we ate and drank. It was gratifying to us to perceive that this 

 general wonder subsided into a more social feeling ; we met with 

 civil treatment every where, and were frequently invited to dine 

 with the inhabitants. At the public parties and balls of the gover- 

 nor we found both novelty and pleasure ; novelty at being much 

 more liberally received than we were in the Spanish settlements, and 

 pleasure at being in much more refined and polished company. 



The dress of the ladies abroad, and especially at church, consists 

 of a garment of black silk, with a long veil of the same material, 

 trimmed with broad lace ; in the cooler season black cassimere or 

 baize. In the same veil they almost always appear in the streets, 

 though it has been partially superseded by a long coat of coarse 

 woollen, edged with velvet, gold lace, fustian, or plush, according 

 to the rank of the wearer. This coat is used as a general sort of 

 undress, at home, in their evening walks, and on a journey, and the 

 ladies, whenever they wear it, appear in round hats. The appella- 

 tion of Paulista is considered by all the females here as a great 

 honour; the Paulistas being celebrated throughout all Brazil for 

 their attractions, and their dignity of character. At table they are 

 extremely abstemious ; their favourite amusement is dancing, in 

 which they display much vivacity and grace.' At balls and other 

 public festivals they generally appear in elegant white dresses, with 

 a profusion of gold chains about their necks, their hair tastefully 

 disposed and fastened with combs. Their conversation, at all times 

 sprightly, seems to derive additional life from music. Indeed the 

 whole range of their education appears to be confined to superficial ac- 

 complishments ; they trouble themselves very little with domestic 

 concerns, confiding whatever relates to the inferior departments of the 

 household to the negro or negra cook, and leaving all other matters 



