396 



THREE YEARS IN TRE PACIFIC. 



formerly known. The matron made her appearance, with her 

 arms drawn out of the sleeves of her dress, which were pen- 

 dent at her sides, her hair hanging down her back and shoul- 

 ders, and her bosom nearly bare. In this slovenly attire, for 

 which the heat is offered as an apology, it is not uncommon 

 for married ladies of Lambayeque to be seen, in their own 

 houses, during the summer season. As is customary in other 

 countries besides this, the conversation began upon the wea- 

 ther. Que calor hace — how warm it is ! said Dona Juan- 

 ita, (the elderly matrons are always pleased to have the dimi- 

 nutive annexed to their names, even after the hair has become 

 silvered,) at the same time passing her pocket handkerchief, 

 first on one side of her neck, and then on the other, to dry away 

 the effects of the heat of which she complained. This remark 

 was most philosophically replied to by a young Peruvian of 

 our party i — Si, Senorita ! — Es verdad, pero es la fruta de la 

 estacion." — Yes, madam ! — It is true, but it is the fruit of the 

 season. After exhausting the subject of the weather, not for- 

 getting to dwell on the pleasures and advantages of sea-bathing, 

 the comparative facility of learning various languages was next 

 discussed. On a due consideration of French, Italian and Eng- 

 lish, Spanish was decided to be more easily acquired by fo- 

 reigners than any other, ^^porque como se pronuncia se escri- 

 be, y como se escribe se pronuncia," — because as it is pro- 

 nounced it is written, and as it is written it is pronounced ; but, 

 continued our hostess, " el idioma de ustedes se escribe de un 

 modo, y se habla de otro," — your language is written in one 

 way, and spoken in another. These remarks 1 have heard in 

 every town from Valparaiso to Panama. After waiting some 

 time, and losing all patience for the appearance of the young 

 ladies, the mother oi^served, ^Mas ninas estan peindndose," — 

 tlie girls are dressing — but as the hair is the material part of 

 the female toilet in South America, the expression is better 

 rendered, "the girls are<iombing."* 



• I am informed bj an English lady who has long resided in Lima, that the 

 belles never wear corsets, except on the occasion of attending public balls ; 

 hence whatever beauty their persons may possess is natural, and not the re- 



