Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/287

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CUSTOMS AND MANNERS.
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our country are slaves. My wonder was augmented, however, when several of these females, stationed the nearest to us, said to each other reciprocally: "See there, the judge's lady; the countess of ——, the marchioness of ——, donna Fulanita de ——," &c. naming in this manner all the principal titles of the ladies who inhabit the capital. I could no longer contain myself, and was at a loss to ascertain whether what was passing was an illusion or a reality. My host, who had been highly diverted by my astonishment, said to me: "Certainly, friend, you have never seen the like. What think you of such a countess, of such a marchioness, and of such a seignora, with a beard more copious than that of the animal with pointed horns, the lascivious spouse of the she-goat?" Imagining that what he said to me was in jest, I drew out my glass, and directed it to the swarthy visages of these ladies; when, lo! how great was my surprize! I saw them covered with beards still more bushy than that of the unfortunate countess Trifaldi. At this time several other personages, equipped in a similar manner, entered the apartment. In rising from the bench to receive them, the company displayed feet[1] as large as those of Polyphemus, but well made. "What is this?" said I to my host: "Is there in this country such a class of women?" He, observing my simplicity, and want of apprehension, bit his lips, and could with difficulty refrain from laughter. At length, recovering his gravity, he said to me: "These are of the number of those whose graces and fine airs you recounted to me this morning. Here they are not


  1. The Peruvian ladles value themselves exceedingly on the smallness of their feet, and on this account are accustomed from their infancy to wear tight shoes.
under