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her to take one from her hair to present to him. This elegant com- 

 pliment he is expected to return in the course of the visit, by se- 

 lecting a flower from the profuse variety Avhich adorn the garden, 

 or the balcony, and presenting it to her. ; i 



One singular custom I must not omit to notice, that of throwing 

 artificial fruit, such as lemons or oranges, made very delicately 

 of wax and filled with perfumed water. On the two first days of 

 Lent, which are here celebrated with great festivity, persons of both 

 sexes amuse themselves by throwing these balls at each other; the 

 lady generally begins the game, the gentleman returns it with such 

 spirit that it seldom ceases until several dozens are thrown, and both 

 parties are as wet as if they had been drawn through a river. Some- 

 times a lady will dexterously drop one into the bosom of a gentle- 

 man, which will infalHbly oblige him to change his linen, as it 

 usually contains three or four ounces of cold water. On these days 

 of carnival the inhabitants parade the streets in masks, and the 

 diversion of throwing fruit is practised by persons of all ages. It is 

 reckoned improper for men to throw at each other. The manufac- 

 ture of these missiles, at such periods, affords no inconsiderable 

 occupation to certain classes of the inhabitants ; I have been in- 

 formed that in the capital of Brazil many hundreds of people 

 derive a temporary subsistence from the sale of them. The practice 

 (as I can testify) is very annoying to strangers, and not unfrequently 

 engenders quarrels which terminate seriously. 



During our stay here an unpleasant report was circulated, that the 

 port of Lisbon was shut against the English, and that war was 

 daily expected to be declared between the two powers. Had it not 

 been for the kindness of the governor in offering to permit our de- 

 parture before he should receive orders to the contrary, we should 

 have fplt ourselves in a very disagreeable predicament. But news 

 soon arrived that His Royal Highness the Prince Regent had left 

 Portugal with all the court, and that they were embarked for the 



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