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to her aunt； a Roman Catholic lady。 As Miss Procter had herself
professed the Roman Catholic Faith two years before； she entered with the
greater ardour on the study of the Piedmontese dialect； and the observation
of the habits and manners of the peasantry。 In the former； she soon
became a proficient。 On the latter head； I extract from her familiar letters
written home to England at the time； two pleasant pieces of description。
… Page 53…
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS
A BETROTHAL
〃We have been to a ball； of which I must give you a description。 Last
Tuesday we had just done dinner at about seven； and stepped out into the
balcony to look at the remains of the sunset behind the mountains； when
we heard very distinctly a band of music； which rather excited my
astonishment； as a solitary organ is the utmost that toils up here。 I went
out of the room for a few minutes； and； on my returning； Emily said； 'Oh！
That band is playing at the farmer's near here。 The daughter is fiancee
to…day； and they have a ball。' I said； 'I wish I was going！' 'Well；' replied
she； 'the farmer's wife did call to invite us。' 'Then I shall certainly go；' I
exclaimed。 I applied to Madame B。； who said she would like it very
much； and we had better go； children and all。 Some of the servants were
already gone。 We rushed away to put on some shawls； and put off any
shred of black we might have about us （as the people would have been
quite annoyed if we had appeared on such an occasion with any black）；
and we started。 When we reached the farmer's； which is a stone's throw
above our house； we were received with great enthusiasm； the only
drawback being； that no one spoke French； and we did not yet speak
Piedmontese。 We were placed on a bench against the wall； and the
people went on dancing。 The room was a large whitewashed kitchen （I
suppose）； with several large pictures in black frames； and very smoky。 I
distinguished the Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian； and the others appeared
equally lively and appropriate subjects。 Whether they were Old Masters
or not； and if so； by whom； I could not ascertain。 The band were seated
opposite us。 Five men； with wind instruments； part of the band of the
National Guard； to which the farmer's sons belong。 They played really
admirably； and I began to be afraid that some idea of our dignity would
prevent me getting a partner； so； by Madame B。's advice； I went up to the
bride； and offered to dance with her。 Such a handsome young woman！
Like one of Uwins's pictures。 Very dark； with a quantity of black hair；
… Page 54…
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS
and on an immense scale。 The children were already dancing； as well as
the maids。 After we came to an end of our dance； which was what they
called a Polka…Mazourka； I saw the bride trying to screw up the courage of
her fiance to ask me to dance； which after a little hesitation he did。 And
admirably he danced； as indeed they all didin excellent time； and with a
little more spirit than one sees in a ball…room。 In fact； they were very like
one's ordinary partners； except that they wore earrings and were in their
shirt…sleeves； and truth compels me to state that they decidedly smelt of
garlic。 Some of them had been smoking； but threw away their cigars
when we came in。 The only thing that did not look cheerful was； that the
room was only lighted by two or three oil…lamps； and that there seemed to
be no preparation for refreshments。 Madame B。； seeing this； whispered
to her maid； who disengaged herself from her partner； and ran off to the
house； she and the kitchenmaid presently returning with a large tray
covered with all kinds of cakes （of which we are great consumers and
always have a stock）； and a large hamper full of bottles of wine； with
coffee and sugar。 This seemed all very acceptable。 The fiancee was
requested to distribute the eatables； and a bucket of water being produced
to wash the glasses in； the wine disappeared very quickly as fast as they
could open the bottles。 But； elated； I suppose； by this； the floor was
sprinkled with water； and the musicians played a Monferrino； which is a
Piedmontese dance。 Madame B。 danced with the farmer's son； and Emily
with another distinguished member of the company。 It was very
fatiguingsomething like a Scotch reel。 My partner was a little man； like
Perrot； and very proud of his dancing。 He cut in the air and twisted about；
until I was out of breath； though my attempts to imitate him were feeble in
the extreme。 At last； after seven or eight dances； I was obliged to sit
down。 We stayed till nine； and I was so dead beat with the heat that I
could hardly crawl about the house； and in an agony with the cramp； it is
so long since I have danced。〃
… Page 55…
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS
A MARRIAGE
The wedding of the farmer's daughter has taken place。 We had
hoped it would have been in the little chapel of our house； but it seems
some special permission was necessary； and they applied for it too late。
They all said； 〃This is the Constitution。 There would have been no
difficulty before！〃 the lower classes making the poor Constitution the
scapegoat for everything they don't like。 So as it was impossible for us to
climb up to the church where the wedding was to be； we contented
ourselves with seeing the procession pass。 It was not a very large one； for；
it requiring some activity to go up； all the old people remained at home。
It is not etiquette for the bride's mother to go； and no unmarried woman
can go to a weddingI suppose for fear of its making her discontented
with her own position。 The procession stopped at our door； for the bride
to receive our congratulations。 She was dressed in a shot silk； with a
yellow handkerchief； and rows of a large gold chain。 In the afternoon
they sent to request us to go there。 On our arrival we found them d