146 



THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



left, the youngest being at the foot. The son was absent. 

 The dinner was served up on silver, dish after dish, to the 

 number of thirteen, commencing with soup, and ending with 

 roast beef. The intermediate dishes were all compounded, 

 or made in the form of hashes, stews, &c. Besides the wine 

 of the country, and " chicha," there was very excellent claret. 

 The desert, consisting of pudding, sweetmeats, and fruit, 

 was succeeded by a large silver basin of water, and a towel, 

 into which each one dipped the ends of her fingers, wet 

 and wiped her lips, and then pushed it on to the next. As the 

 fingers frequently supply the place of forks during the repast, 

 this practice is certainly necessary and commendable. Before 

 beginning to eat, Don Ambrosio, in a reverent manner, invoked 

 a blessing, and after the meal, returned thanks, which was the 

 signal for the younger children to retire. 



Don Ambrosio and his lady were lively, and, it is hardly 

 necessary to add, polite, for all the natives, from the president 

 to the beggar, are so. During dinner, he asked me which one 

 of his daughters I thought handsomest ; even if they had not k 

 been present, it was a question not easy to answer, and I there- 

 fore requested to be allowed to withhold my decision till I had 

 become better acquainted. Four of them were from fifteen to 

 nineteen years of age, and one was to be married in a few 

 weeks. After dinner, my hospitable host gave me a cigar, and 

 begged to be excused, while he should give directions to some 

 workmen who were employed on the estate, adding, " when 

 I am present the girls are as quiet as lambs, but let me be out 

 of sight, and they are more noisy than so many chattering par- 

 rots. If you are afraid of them, I will carry you with me ; but 

 I dare say you will find them musical, and if they wont sing 

 and play, my wife will, and they shall dance for you. Adios 

 — dont make love to more than two of them at a time.'^ 



So soon as he had disappeared, I found the young ladies very 

 entertaining, and every thing a father could wish ; they played, 

 sang, and chatted until tea and <*mate" were brought, and 

 Don Ambrosio returned. The evening passed pleasantly, and 

 about nine o'clock, (though the distance was not more than a 



