22 TRAVELS THROUGH NORTH AMERICA ! 
chills to the very heart those who come to 
visit them. In their private societies a tristesse 
is apparent, near which mirth and gaiety can 
never approach. It is no unusual thing, in the 
genteelest houses, to see a large party of from 
twenty to thirty persons assembled, and seated 
round a room, without partaking of any other 
amusement than what arises from the conver¬ 
sation, most frequently in whispers, that passes 
between the two persons who are seated next 
to each other. The party meets between six 
and seven in the evening; tea is served with 
much form; and at ten, by w hich time most 
of the company are wearied with having re¬ 
mained so long stationary, they return to their 
own homes. Still, however, they are not 
strangers to music, cards, or dancing; their 
know ledge of music, indeed, is at a very low 
ebb; but in dancing, which appears to be 
their most favourite amusement, they certainly 
excel. 
The women, in general, whilst young, are 
very pretty; but by the time they become mo¬ 
thers of a little family they lose all their beauty, 
their complexions fade away, their teeth begin 
to decay, and they hardly appear like the same 
creatures. In a few instances only it would be 
possible to find a fine woman of the age of 
forty, who has had a large family. The sud¬ 
den decay of the teeth, is a circumstance which 
