BUENOS AYRES. 



67 



to reach the shore without being carted ; which 

 is the common practice, when the decline of the 

 river, after a cessation of wind, makes the ap- 

 proach over the shallows almost impracticable 

 even for a small boat. The cold was so pierc- 

 ing that I was glad to take refuge in the 

 house of my friend, Mr. Gore,* by his fire ; 

 but, after a good warming, I sallied out again 

 with Captain H., in search of apartments 

 at Smithes hotel, where we succeeded in 

 making ourselves comfortable. When the 

 Hamiltons fix upon a house the captain and 

 myself are to be their guests ; but that will 

 not be for some days. 



The change of climate, after the heat of Rio, 

 is to me perfectly enchanting. The season is 

 now reckoned more than usually cold. 



* Then Secretary of Legation, now Earl of Arran. 



