70' 



VALPARAISO. 



these heights. The ships at anchor in the bay 

 appear almost moored to the houses. In a 

 southerly and easterly wind the roadstead is 

 good, but much exposed to the north and 

 north-west gales, which at times are severe. 



March 8. — I am begining to be weary of 

 Valparaiso. There is no Spanish society here, 

 and the merchants are too busy in this thriving 

 little town to be entertaining- 



I have found a bathing-place near a convenient 

 rock, and every morning regale myself with a 

 dip in the Pacific. Seclusion on these, occa- 

 sions is difficult, and, moreover, it is not looked 

 upon as necessary. Ladies of various hues and 

 ages, make it a practice to bathe quite uncere- 

 moniously, close to the spot I have chosen for 

 the same purpose ; and they do not deem it 

 expedient to encumber themselves with any 

 bathing-dress. 



