The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-07-24

IL We follow the Limena (he white
Creole, be it understood) into the retire
ment Of domestic life. We find that she is an
affectionate mother, but not very clever
housekeeper. Every lady has at her COM
mand great many more domestcs than are
necessary some are servants, but most OF
them slaves. The establishment usually
consists Of a cook, a nurse-maid one
or two house-maids, a needle-woman, sew.
eral men-servants, and little negro or
Indian, whose chief business is TO carry
carpet behind his mistress when she
goes to church. These servants all do as
they please, and the lady Of the house con-
Germs herself very little about the Incidence
which her want Of vigilance encourages.
She rises at late hour, and having dressed
herself and decorated her hair with spIigs OF
jasmine and orange blossom, she takes her
breakfast. That meal being ended, she
goes out to make visits. During the sultry
hours Of midday she reposes, either by
swinging in hammock or reclining on a
sofa, and meanwhile smokes cigar. After
dinner she again makes visits, and the even
ingis spent in the theatre. on the plaza, or on
the bridge. Some few ladies employ them
selves in needle-work, in which they are Of
ten most accomplished adopts; they especi-
ally excel in embroidery and fancy work
but they never pursue these employments
before company.
The Ladies of Lima are passonaiely fond
OF music. Most Of them play the piano
forte or the guitar, and also sing; but for
want Of good instruction neither their play
ing nor their singing is above mediocrity.
Smoking is pretty general among females,
at least those Of mature age; but they in
dulge in this practice only in their own
apartments. or late years the custom OF
smoking has been on the decline in Lima,
in proportion as it has been increased on
the continent Of the old world. Though
snuff-taking is prohibited in the converts,
yet the nuns practice it to great extent.
They use an exceedingly fine kind Of red
snuff, which has the effect Of closing the
breathing passage through the nostrils, and
Of producing peculiar nasal tone Of voice.
With the ladies Of Lima, vanity and the
love Of dress appear to have reached their
climax. To this passion for personal
adornment they sacrifice everything. For
merly, when none but real pearls and dia-
monds were worn, many lady was known
to have ruined her husband by the purchase
Of those costly articles; now, however,
thanks to French mock jewelry, they are
enabled to bedeck themselves in glittering
ornaments at trivial expense. Another OF
their passions is fondness for perfumes.
They are continually besprinkiing them.
selves with eau de Cologne; esprit de La
rande, aqua ria, or mistura. The lat.
ter is fragrant yellow-colored water. pre-.
pared from gillyaower, jasmine, and for de
mistela (Talinum umbellatum.) They
perfume their apartments daily with Sahn
naerios (pastiles.) When the lady of the
house wishes to show particular attention to
her visitors, she offers them perfumed water
dropping it into the bosoms Of the ladies, and
on the pocket-handkerchiels of the gentle
men. Considering their free use Of per
fumes, it is not surprising that the fail
Limenas should be constantly complaining
OF headache, vertigo, and other nervous all
ments, Or, to use their own phrase (los ner
vios.)
Above all things the Limenas pride them