loose boards that formed a kind of loft overhead, where he soon exchanged
his dripping apparel for a dress suited to the occasion, when
he dropped upon the floor, and strutting up and down, bowed and scraped
to the ladies, with as much ease, if not elegance, as a Bond Street highlyscented
exquisite. Others came in by degrees, ready dressed, and music
was called for. My son, by way of overture, played " Hail Columbia,
happy land,'"' then went on with " La Marseillaise," and ended with
" God save the King.1' Being merely a spectator, I ensconsed myself in
a corner, by the side of an old European gentleman, whom I found an
agreeable and well-informed companion, to admire the decorum of the
motley assemblage.
The dancers stood in array, little time having been spent in choosing
partners, and a Canadian accompanying my son on his Cremona, mirth
and joy soon abounded. Dancing is certainly one of the most healthful
and innocent amusements. I have loved it a vast deal more than watching
for the nibble of a trout, and I have sometimes thought enjoying it with
an agreeable female softened my nature as much as the pale pure light of
the moon softens and beautifies a winter night. A maiden lady, who sat
at my side, and who was the only daughter of my talkative companion,
relished my remarks on the subject so much, that the next set saw her
gracing the floor with her tutored feet.
At each pause of the musicians, refreshments were handed round by
the hostess and her son, and I was not a little surprised to see all the
ladies, maids and matrons, swallow, like their sweethearts and husbands, a
full glass of pure rum, with evident pleasure. I should perhaps have recollected
that, in cold climates, a dose of ardent spirits is not productive
of the same effects as in burning latitudes, and that refinement had not
yet induced these healthy and robust dames to affect a delicacy foreign
to their nature.
It was now late, and knowing how much I had to accomplish next
day, I left the party and proceeded towards the shore. My men were
sound asleep in the boat, but in a few moments I was on board the Rip.
ley. My young friends arrived towards daylight, but many of the fishermen's
sens and daughters kept up the dance, to the music of the Canadian,
until after our breakfast was over.
Although all the females whom I had seen at this ball were perfectly
free from mauvaise honte, we were much surprised when some of them,
which we afterwards met in the course of our rambles in the neighbouring
meadows and fields, ran off on seeing us, like gazelles before jackalls.
One bearing a pail of water on her head, dropped it the moment she saw
us, and ran into the woods to hide herself. Another, who was in search
of a cow, on observing us going towards her, took to the water and waded
through an inlet more than waist-deep, after which she made for home
with the speed of a frightened hare. On inquiring the reason of this
strange conduct, the only answer I received from several was a deep
blush.'