58 



THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



«^ What do you think of his lordship's mutton, Mr. L 



asked Dom Bento. 



My officer broke in ; I agree with Mr. L , this is most 



exquisite mutton, and the capers sauce is luscious !" 



I was not thinking of his lordship's mutton; but, preju- 

 dice aside, it is universally conceded, that there is no mutton 

 in the world like the English." 



"No one disputes that the mutton is good in England, but 

 that it is better than any other, I doubt," said the sarcastic 

 gentleman ; <«you will say the same of the beef, and I assure 

 you, I have eaten better beef, and better mutton too, both in 

 Peru and Montevideo, than I ever did in England !" 



The Attache was not easily disconcerted, for when Dom 

 Bento said — I must confess somewhat maliciously — " the mut- 

 ton you are now eating and praising, is Brazilian, and reared 

 upon my own estate," the great man quickly replied, "I dare 

 swear it is of English breed !" 



This conversation, or rather dialogue, was carried on in 

 English. The ladies were speaking Spanish. 



<^ How is it," asked Mrs. Brunner, that not a North Ame- 

 rican — not a single one, of the many who have been in Brazil, 

 has ever married a lady of the country ? Foreigners from every 

 other part of the world have found wives here !" 



"Oh!" said an old bachelor, "the ladies are too unsocial 

 and formal for them ; only think, it requires, I am told, six 

 years to become acquainted, and besides, you are all such stub- 

 born Catholics, that, to gain your hands, a man must forswear 

 his religion !" 



"I will contradict that," said Brunner. 



<^So you may," replied the bachelor, exceptio probat 

 regulam.^^ The fact is, that North Americans — much as they 

 are given to wandering — possess a greater love of country than 

 any other adventurers who seek their fortunes abroad. I say 

 adventurers^ because no man will leave his own fire side, un- 

 less it be with a hope of better fortune, and an easier life in 

 another clime ; except travellers from curiosity. 



After the ladies retired, several songs were sung, and the 

 Attach6 did me the honor to ask me to take wine with him ; 



