The Washington times., 1894-05-06
THAT LANGUID LIFE
IN WICKED PARA.

Major Kirby, late consul at the Mouth Of
the Amazon, who recently made the explora-
tion "Across Equatorial America" says of bis
official residence: para is the most delight
fully wicked city OF 100,0 900 rather indiscrim-
inate)y mixed Portuguese, Spanish and In
dian population on the civilized globe"
Other interesting incidents Of South Amrican
life are related by the major.
One of the largest official balls OF the sea-
son was held in the grand opera house in
honor of the retiring provisional governor,
who was about to embark for Rio de Janeiro.
As an ex-American consul. Mr.. Kirby had the
honor of an invitation to this most brilliant
reception, attended by the most beautiful
women Of the town and where wine flowed
like water. While the attendance was very
large at this official demonstration, 1t must be
stated of the best ladies' society that the aris-
tocratic element was conspicuously absent,
for the very sufficient reason that the governor
OF Flo as his special guests, whom he and his
naval officer had brought along as part OF
their suite when appointed governor.
There was no expressed indignation what
ever, in fact, an attempt was made to keep
the matter quiet, even the ladies who had re-
fused to add by their presence to such an out
rage on responsibility making as regrets for
non-attendance the excuse that they had not
time to prepare suitable dresses for the grand
occasion. As it was the first time in the his
tory Of Para that the senoras had ever been
known to decline an invitation to ball, the
apologies were not exactly satisfactory.
There were plenty OF ladies there however,
the foreign element turning out Il few.
The wife OF an American consul was among
hAV fArt
wife is generally termed the ''consueleza,"
end is referred to as public official. This
lady was nearly six feet tall, with strong
face that resembled, as an Englishman oh
served, 'the pictures We see Of George Wash
ington."
In conversation the major ventured to offer
some suggestion from his experience as to
proper society for strange lady,te which
she replied, in a harsh tone:
1--WE don't care d-n about private So
ciety, we will go into official society only"
and this was her first appearance in "ofdcial
society,"
The dress worn by an American lady Off
cial at a certain consulate on one occasion
would be difficult to describe. 1t was of such
a character that the people who were present
talked OF it for months after the ball. A ma
tive lady gave the information that 1t was
combination of colors comprising the red,
white. and blue OF the American flag. mixed
with the yellow and green OF the nation.
Quite happy Idea in conveying in dress the
union Of the two republics. 1t had an i'm
mense train and was cut very low, in fact,
quite decollete, and would have been about
suitable for school girl of 10 to wear at an
exhibition.
The native ladies never appear In decollete
toilet. The missionary ladies cannot teach
these senoras how to wear their clothes.
They come by it naturally. They receive
their gowns and fashions direct from Paris
and Lisbon.
There also appeared at Para ''another
American woman" as these people called a
lady representative Of the Women's Christian
Temperance Union. She delivered lecture.
which though largely advertised, was attended
by but few rowdy foreigners and Some
curious natives who went with the intention
of guying the lecturer. The American consul
and his wife also attended. The lecturer was
introduced by an American missionary, who,
as interpreter, injected some OF his own
fanatacisms in his preliminary remarks.
The audience raised storm of indignation,
in which even the lecturer herself Joined; the
result was general row and closing of the
doors against further abuse.
One VINO has lived in these countries can
readily see the impropriety of societies send
ing out lady lecturers, who cannot speak the
language OF the country, to speak on intem-
peraDce; especially to people who are intem-
perate in neither drink, language, nor the
absurdities of dress and department.
Though wine is used by all classes with the
meals. intoxication is only known among the
foreigners.
These indications are only referred to as H.
lustrations. They do our refined and culti-
waited American ladies a positive wrong. as
all the arguments that could be brought TO
bear would fail to convince the natives that
the few loud specimens that they see are not
representative American ladies.
But after considering all the disadvantages
connected with life under the equator as at
Para, one must concede that it has many,
very many, pleasures that fully compensate
for the discomforts.
There is a singular fascination attached to
life in the tropics. which all who have become
acclimated experience. One longs to take
part in all the festivities in spite of the ener-
waiting climate, which results so frequently in
illness.
In the very hot and humid atmosphere
there seems to be an overpowering influence
that. like wine. stimulates every one to enter
with unusual zest into the enjoyment Of the
free and easy excitement OF social life There is
not only an absence OF restraint, but one soon
learns that. generally speaking. the people Of
that region are not disposed to NEEDLE with
the affairs of others. Probably because each
has as much as he can do to attend to his
own separate concerns.
Two Birds with One Stone.