Page:Ornithological biography, or an account of the habits of the birds of the United States of America, vol 2.djvu/250

214 loose boards that formed a kind of loft overhead, where he soon ex- changed his dripping apparel for a dress suited to the occasion, when he dropped upon the floor, and strutting up and down, bowed and scrap- ed to the ladies, with as much ease, if not elegance, as a Bond Street highly- scented 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 vith " La Marseillaise," and ended with " God save the King." Being merely a spectator, I ensconsed myself in a comer, 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 re- collected 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 dehcacy foreign to their nature.

It was now late, and knowing how much I had to accompUsh 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 fisher- men's sons and daughters kept up the dance, to the music of the Cana- dian, until after our breakfast was over.

Although all the females whom I had seen at this ball were perfectly free from mauvaise Jionte, we were much surprised when some of them, which we afterwards met in the course of our rambles in the neighbour-