Mr. Merrythought, such was the name of the gentleman to whom Phillipson introduced me, was a very good natured-looking middle-aged man; and by the smile on his countenance, I presume he had been indulging in his merry thoughts at the very moment of our entrance. He was dressed (I write this for the amusement and information of those ladies who always inquire how Mr. or Mrs. so and so were dressed) in a white jacket; his waistcoat and pantaloons were of the same colour; his shoes, to use an Irishcism, were what West Indians call overseer's boots; and his hat, made in the country, was of a kind of straw, with a brim that might have extended some thirteen inches beyond the crown. Ah, me! Ah, me! I intended to bring one of the said chapeaux home with me, but the winds in the Indies are sometimes adverse as well as the winds in the channel, and accordingly it was taken by the same from the seat of all my knowledge, and carried where "Miles and miles across the briny deep;" "It sunk, and sunk, alas! to rise no more." I am heartily sorry for the fact, especially as my readers, (for whose amusement I am really anxious, are deprived of a glimpse of the said hat, which they might otherwise have taken; as I intended to sport it in the Regent's Park; that park which is the most fashionable of all fashionable places every day in the week, and the most vulgar of all vulgar promenades on a Sunday afternoon. But to return to the manager and his hat, which he never doffed, except to hang it on the brass headed nail in his hall till it should be again wanted; he doffed it not therefore to your humble servant and his friend, but rather addressed us with an open hand, and an open heart, and gave us both a hearty squeeze, and a cordial welcome. I am sorry, said he, that to-day is market day, and the negroes are all gone to dispose of their fruit and vegetables; consequently there is no sugar making on the estate: however, you will come home and dine with me; we can find you beds for to-night, and to-morrow you may see the whole process of sugar making at your leisure; in the mean time your horses shall be taken care of. "Here," said he, to a youngling who stood near him, "go and tell Cudgoe to call Prince, to carry these horses to the stable— you hear, boy." "I heare, massa," was the reply; and away scampered the child of sable hue, chanting a lay as merry as the lark's when he leaves the grove in the morning, and soars upward towards the heavens. This kind invitation was given in the true spirit of Barbadian hospitality, and my friend took upon himself to say yes for both of us. By the way, Master Phillipson, I think you might have asked my opinion of the matter; he didn't though, good reader; on the contrary, he seemed to think it no matter at all. Now be it known I am a quiet soul, and therefore made no opposition; and so we all trudged on to the great house, where the reader will find us at the commencement of the next chapter. CHAPTER VII. HOSPITALITY AND CHARACTER OF THE BARBADIANS. What hospitable welcomes greet For ginger wine, the best receipt, Ask, and you'll find it at Longleat. Countess of Morley. THE Owner of Colville estate was one of those proprietors who reside always in England: and provided the manager to whom the property is entrusted keeps it clear of debts, and contrives to send home a certain quantity of sugar annually, is contented with the yearly income it produces, and feels perfectly satisfied that it is in good hands. Mr. Merrythought therefore, as personating the proprietor, made the great house his residence. This was a commodious building, one story high, with a long gallery in front, and might have contained some six or seven chambers, besides the servants' rooms, kitchen, &c. which were unattached. When we entered the hall, we were somewhat astonished at being introduced by the worthy manager to his wife and daughter; I say astonished, because there are few worthy managers in the West Indies who can boast the possession of such legitimate gems we were, however, rather pleased than otherwise at this, especially as we found the ladies by no means deficient either in personal charms or in the powers of conversation. Mrs. Merrythought was a Creole, and had never left Barbados; her manners were plain and homely, and altogether without affectation. Her long residence in the island had furnished her with many anecdotes of the negroes; and she described, in a very lively manner, some circumstances concerning the last insurrection of the slaves, which proved very interesting,-in short, I found her an extremely agreeable companion, and for a time I neither discovered the absence of the planter, who had retired "pour changer ses habits," nor the earnest conversation of his fair daughter with my friend, who, I should have told my readers, "Was fam'd for gallantry in war and love," Tempus fugit," that is to say, time flies, and very often much faster than we poor mortals are aware of, Mr. Merrythought returned, saying it was five o'clock, and the servant followed him, saying, "Massa, dinner ready;" accordingly we proceeded to the dining-room, and now "nous allons manger quelque chose." Reader, I am a bad hand at describing, although a tolerable good one at demolishing a dinner; what then shall I tell thee of the turtle? shall I say it was delicious? alas! I fear that would only make thy mouth water for a share; shall I say it was like "mock turtle," that would be mockery indeed; so I will say nothing at all about it; I will not even men tion the wines; for since I have taken to drink the detestable sherry we get in England, I cannot bear to think of the good old West India Madeira; when I do so I sigh in very sorrow, and wipe away just such a tear as the soldier did when "He turn'd upon the hill "To take a last fond look "Of the valley, and the village church, T. H. Bayly. Well, well; the repast was removed, and the dessert placed on the table; then, and not till then, did I remember that we, viz. my friend and self, had engaged to go to Mrs. L's ball, which was to take place that very evening. Phillipson had forgotten it altogether, and seemed so well pleased with his condition, that I verily believe he wished I had forgotten it also. As I remembered it, however, there was no excuse for him, and we were obliged to defer the pleasure of passing a night at Colville estate to some future opportunity. Our horses were brought to the door; and we parted from our kind friends, though not without many pressing invitations to repeat our visit whenever business or pleasure might attract us to that road. We put our horses on the gallop, and were not long returning to town, when we each sought our respective homes, in order to dress for Mrs. L-'s ball. The little incident that had just transpired was not one of those that happen "once in a thousand years;" |