368 NOTES TO BOOK IV . well-filled baskets are disclosed, feasting on which forms certainly the most substantial part of their day's enjoyment; but perhaps the most agreeable is that which succeeds, when the party divides for the pleasure of walking; and there are undoubtedly worse occu¬ pations in the world, than wandering with a pretty woman through the skirts of a wood, or along the margin of the sea, enjoying " sweet converse," and the delights of the open air and surrounding scenery. As the evening approaches, they reassemble, and the party, followed by their servants, bringing along the fragments of the pic¬ nic, return to the boat, in which they embark. The evenings at this season are usually clear, agreeably warm, and tranquil; the sea calm and unruffled ; and as neither the wine nor the wreck of the fowls, hams, &c, are forgotten, a repetition of the pic-nic may be said to take place on the water. It sometimes happens, that in returning from these parties, the tide has ebbed so far that the boat cannot approach within a hun¬ dred yards of the shore ; but, as it would be extremely ungallant to allow the ladies to remain any time without landing, the gentlemen, let their rank in society be what it may, (if even members of his Majesty 's Colonial Council, Judges of the , or the principal officers of his Majesty 's customs,) all get into the water ; and although often sinking at every step more than a foot in the mud, each carries a lady in his arms to dry terra firma. The rendezvous for winter pic-nics is usually a respectable farm¬ house, some miles distant in the country. No small part of the pleasure of these excursions is enjoyed in driving to the appointed place with a lady, in a well-furred and cushioned cabriole, drawn over the snow or ice by one or two horses. These carriages take but two persons ; the gentleman drives, as there is no seat in front for a servant. If the ice be smooth and glibby, and if the wind blows across the cabriole, it is frequently turned round, bringing the horse up at the same time with it, although generally going at great speed. These carriages, in turning corners, or passing over uneven roads, frequently overturn, leaving the passengers behind on the snow, but scarcely ever injured, although annoyed by the laugh which their awkward situation irresistibly excites in the by-standers. As servants are seldom brought to attend at these winter parties, the gentlemen, as soon as they hand their fair companions out of