sually men of rude and brutal
dispositions. The very nature of their calling makes them so. This
Frenchman, however, seemed to be an exception. He appeared a most
respectable old gentleman. I rather liked his looks, and began to feel
quite an interest in him, though he by no means appeared to reciprocate
the feeling.

Some one complained of the mosquitoes, and suggested the opening of the
folding-doors of the ladies' cabin. This suggestion was backed up by
several others--ladies and gentlemen. The clerk of the boat is the man
charged with such responsibilities. He was at length appealed to. The
appeal was reasonable--it was successful; and the great gates of the
steamboat Paradise were thrown open. The result was a current of air
which swept through the long saloon from stem to stern; and in less than
five minutes not a mosquito remained on board, except such as had
escaped the blast by taking shelter in the state-rooms. This was
certainly a great relief.

The folding-doors were permitted to remain open--an arrangement quite
satisfactory to all, but particularly to a number of the gaily-dressed
young clerks, who could now command a full view of the interior of the
harem. Several of them might be observed taking advantage of the new
arrangement--not staring broadly, as that would be accounted rude and
noted against them. They only appealed to the sacred shrine by
side-glances, or over books which they pretended to read, or pacing up
and down approached the favoured limit, glancing in at intervals, as if
undesignedly. Some appeared to have acquaintances inside, though not
upon terms of sufficient familiarity to give them the right of entry.
Others were in hopes of making acquaintances, should opportunity offer.
I could detect expressive looks, and occasionally a smile that seemed to
denote a mutual intelligence. Many a pleasant thought is conveyed
without words. The tongue is often a sad disenchanter. I have known it
to spoil many a nice love-plot silently conceived, and almost ripe for
being carried out.

I was amused at this speechless pantomime, and sat for some minutes
regarding it. My eyes wandered at intervals towards the interior of the
ladies' saloon, guided thither partly by a common curiosity. I have an
observant habit. Anything new interests me, and this cabin-life on an
American steamboat was entirely new, and not a little _piquante_. I
desired to study it. Perhaps I was somewhat intere