98 



THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



not flag; and I was impressed with the fact, that the ladies fre^ 

 quently displayed considerable archness and humor in their re- 

 marks; and this I found to be the case in all my intercourse 

 with Chilian society. 



J ust before taking leave, Dona Ignacita left the room, and 

 returned in a few minutes with a handful of flowers, and pre- 

 sented one to each of the guests, in a manner that was very 

 graceful, her face being lighted up with smiles ; yet she said 

 not a word. This universal custom of presenting flowers to 

 guests, is a beautiful token of welcome; and where they are 

 not ofiered, it is certain that the visiter has not made a favor- 

 able impression, and a repetition of his visits will not be ac- 

 ceptable. This presentation is made on the three or four first 

 visits, but is afterwards omitted. Of the origin of this custom, 

 I know nothing ; yet I was pleased with it, and bore off my 

 rose as an emblem of friendship, and valued it more when I 

 came to understand the full force of this kind of language. 



When we took leave, the ladies again embraced their female 

 guests ; and Dona Juana said to me, <^ Senor Don Francisco, ya 

 sabe usted la casa, y es £t la disposicion de usted." — "Don 

 Francisco, now you know the house, and it is at your disposal." 

 I thanked her, and said, I should take great pleasure in repeat- 

 ing my visit. "Cuando guste usted Caballero." <«When you 

 please, Cavalier," she replied, and turned to my friend Don 

 Samuel, and said, " no olvide usted la noche de Domingo, y 

 diga k su amigo, que venga tambien." — " Dont forget, Sunday 

 \ night, and tell your friend to come also !" 



Such are, generally, the events and ceremonies of a first visit 

 on a week day evening. It will be observed, that I was intro- 

 duced as a friend, without my name being mentioned, nor was 

 any other than my Christian name asked, until my third or 

 fourth visit. After that the flowers are not given, unless other 

 strangers be present, when the old acquaintances also receive 

 the compliment, in common with the rest of the company. 

 There is something so very amiable in the character of the 

 Chilenas, that it is almost impossible not to be pleased in their 

 society. Foreigners who are unable to speak Spanish well, are 

 always treated with the greatest indulgence, as respects errors 



