Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-09-06
NO. 3G.


The preponderance of females is oxtraordi-
nary. The population of the country was es-
timated to be about two hundred and twenty
thousand in 1910. The natural rate Of increase
till 1865 would have doubled this number,
but in the subsequent five years war the loss
es may be estimated at half the population
one hundred and seventy thousand males by
battle and disease, and fifty thousand women
and children by famine and exposure. The
census of 1873 was probably correct, there
fore, in its result, viz, two hundred and
twenty-one thousand OF this number, about
twenty-eight thousand seven hundred were
males, and over one hundred and six thous-
and were females. The population is chiefly
Indian, and most Of the pure whites are gath
cred around Asuncion.
But, though their complexion varies from
that of true black to that of the rich brunette
of CASTLE, all the women look exceedingly
cleanly and even handsome with their exquis-
itely white frocbs and glossy raven hair,
which, like mermaids they are constantly
combing. Their figures are faultless and re-
markably erect, never having known the de-
forming confines of a corset the pose CT
their heads is something to excite the envy Of
n Clara We're de We're, and their pace in walk
ing is worth the emulation of Won Hillern.
Yet, whatever they carry is balanced on their
heads-jars of water, baskets OF &tTJa, or bags
of maHdiOcd. One meets them every morn
ing coming to market in single file, all dress
ed the same, laughing and talking, with their
naked toes seeming to grasp the ground Ow-
ing to the rank herbage. they do not turn
their feet out, as the only tracks through the
dense grass from one house to another is that
of the bullock-wagons, which is invariably
followed, as it is easy to lose ones self in the
tall pampa- grass and underground. The
ground is sometimes covered with tangled
creepers, evYn in the city, which caught us
and threw us down, while the branches play
cd havoc with our clothing, ana seemed deter
mined to simplify our attire
Being convinced of the reasonablentss of
that proverb which admits the propriety of
doing in Rome what the Romans do, We at
tended ball on Sunday evening, and was
not long in recognizing pretty maiden who
had welcomed me agreeably on the steamers
landing. She was again among n crowd of
others, many of them carrying lighted can
dies, and few affecting high-heeled boots in
addition to the ordinary robe of calico or lin
en-. As we entered the musicians were tun-
ing their instruments, which consisted of a
harp, violin, and flute; and, they
struck up a Spanish dance, the ballroom be-
came a ripping lake of white skirts and CO.
quettsh scarfs. But the music was almost
drowned by the laughter. The Paraguayans
find mirth in everything, we have said. If
bull runs away if they fall down if it
rains; if it shines-small misfortunes as well
as good luck invariably evoke ebullitions of
melodious laughter. Across the room from
us two saucy little beauties were dancing to-
gether, but their glances betrayed a willing
ness to form more appropriate partnership.
On the opposite side was lady handsomely
dressed in black with a mantilla flowing from
high comb. Her bodice was of fine lace,
ending with n skirt of black silk the daintiest
of silk stockings, and tiny kid slippers. The
comb was shaped into spray of golden flow
ers, exquisitely wrought, and on one of her
fingers there were what appeared to be nine
rings The native rings are made of pure
gold, and one ring has many circlets of which
hers was an illustration. Her figure was up
right, her step light, and her face full of soft
southern color, with long silken lashes to the
eyes, and the most delicate contour. This
was the daughter of Lopez, and she seemed
Is. embodv all that is noble and heantifnl in
teniOer.