Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/287

Rh 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 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 under