270 



THREE TEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



frequent compliment paid by the hostess, is to present a cigar, 

 after smoking a few whiffs, to her most distinguished guest. 



Qui vit sans tabac n'est pas digne de vivre !"* seems to be 

 a creed subscribed to in Lima. Within a few years, however, 

 the elder ladies alone smoke in this kind of tert61ia; the younger 

 ones enjoy the cigar only in private, and very many never in- 

 dulge in this practice. I have never seen a Limanian who 

 chewed tobacco, but snuff taking is quite common. As in Chile, 

 the pinganillos," or dandies, carry small gold tweezers to 

 hold the "ciganto," to avoid staining their fingers. 



It is interesting to observe the contrast between the parties 

 in the different rooms. In the one is a scene of gambling en- 

 veloped in cigar smoke, while in the other is presented a pic- 

 ture of hilarity and innocent amusement. A few cakes and 

 sweetmeats, with cordial and wine, are the only refreshments 

 served. About half past ten o'clock the party broke up, and 

 the family, after partaking of a hot supper, retired. 



The morale of Lima society, may be gathered from the fact, 

 that females, married or single, who are known to have yielded 

 to amatory intrigues, are received in the fashionable circles. 

 Few persons who know any thing of Lima, have not heard of 

 the celebrated Josepha Luisa, the heroine of a correspondence 

 between herself and a notorious judge,t which was printed at 



• ** Quoi qa*en disc Aristote, et sa docte cabale, 

 Le tabac est divin, il n*est rien qui l*egale ; 

 Et par les faineants, pour fuir I'oisivet^, 

 Jamais amusement ne fut mieux invent^, 

 Ne sauroit-on que dire ? on prend la tabatiere ; 

 Soudain a gauche, a droit, par devant, par derriere ; 

 Gens de toutes fagons, connus et non connus, 

 Pour y demander part sont tres bien venus, 

 Mais c'est peu qu'a donner instruisant la jeunesse, 

 Le tabac 1' accoutume a faire ainsi largesse ; 

 C*est dans la medecine un remede nouveau : 

 II purge, rejouit, conforte le cerveau ; 

 De toute noire humeur proniptement le d^livre ; 

 Et qui vit sans tabac n'est pas digne de vivre, 



O tabac, 6 tabac, mes plus cheres amours ! " 



Le Feslin de Pierre. 

 f Manuel Lorenzo Vidaurre y Encalada. 



