shape flew erratically in search of their prey. These bats are inclined to visit unannounced through the open windows of any unattended house, so I ventured inside and drew the blinds in my bed-chamber closed. Outside, the crickets and frogs raised their inharmonious voices, while inside those disgusting pests of the West Indies, the cockroaches, made themselves ready to crawl over floors and ceilings. Insect life appears to be altogether more gigantic than in England, for these troublesome ogres achieve extraordinary size, dashing themselves against lamps with great force, and occasionally slapping one most disrespectfully about the face. The monstrous chorus of the abundant mosquitoes declared these imps' intent to inflict torment. Happily this buzzing fellow's presence completes the menagerie of tropical pests with whom we unfortunates are forced to dwell.
It would seem that in these parts the arrival of a guest offers much-needed contact with the outside world, and helps break the routine of daily existence. Therefore, my presence is an event of consequence amongst the whites of this island, though of course, because of my ailment, few have had the opportunity to acquaint themselves with me. Now that it appears as though I might be regaining some little strength, Mr McDonald has taken it upon himself to visit with more frequency, which gives me much pleasure. My feeble attempts to disguise my loneliness having failed, he has chosen to bring me gifts which he imagines
might help to assuage my sad solitude. The books he offers are poor enough things, for it would appear that little of quality is read in these colonies, and bookshops are quite unknown. Low and unappetizing English novels, much out of date, some of dubious moral tone, are the staple diet.
As for newspapers, we find here an even sorrier spectacle. Two newspapers issue weekly from different presses to enlighten the lettered inhabitants of what passes in this colony. They are light affairs of four to six pages, and printed on outlandishly coarse, semi-porous paper. Most columns are filled with advertisements by merchants hoping to dupe the population into parting with money for little-needed inventions from Europe. The remaining columns are filled with details of slave auctions and rewards offered for those who have escaped, or 'pulled foot', from their plantations. Foreign news is simply copied verbatim, and such items are studiously kept to a minimum. The stock news involves reports of the doings of local politicians, conveyed in such vitriolic and abusive language as in London would surely lead to litigation. These newspapers seemed determined to out-do the other in vulgarity of tone, freely heaping abuse without recourse to the facts. One of these sheets serves as the organ of the administration, its rival as that of the opposition. Never before have I witnessed such vicious parade of injustice and intemperance. I thanked Mr McDonald generously, without displaying my scarcely governed dislike of these sheets, and informed him that he need not bring these newspapers again to distress my sensibility. To be honest I would rather sink in isolation than be offered the comfort of such vileness. Mr McDonald understood, and suggested that he might introduce a colleague to lunch with us, hoping as he did to extend my social circle by degrees. I readily agreed and informed my bouncing black Stella of the impending luncheon appointment, to which purpose she immediately began to busy herself. Before I describe the dramatic events of our social interplay, it will serve to
record the details of the extraordinary board that was set before us.
On account of my arising late (in consequence of Mr McDonald's instructions that I seek further rest at either extremity of the day), the board was neither breakfast, nor lunch, but no less remarkable because of this. We began with a most agreeable forenoon drink called a beveridge, which is made from the milk of the coconut, fresh
It would seem that in these parts the arrival of a guest offers much-needed contact with the outside world, and helps break the routine of daily existence. Therefore, my presence is an event of consequence amongst the whites of this island, though of course, because of my ailment, few have had the opportunity to acquaint themselves with me. Now that it appears as though I might be regaining some little strength, Mr McDonald has taken it upon himself to visit with more frequency, which gives me much pleasure. My feeble attempts to disguise my loneliness having failed, he has chosen to bring me gifts which he imagines
might help to assuage my sad solitude. The books he offers are poor enough things, for it would appear that little of quality is read in these colonies, and bookshops are quite unknown. Low and unappetizing English novels, much out of date, some of dubious moral tone, are the staple diet.
As for newspapers, we find here an even sorrier spectacle. Two newspapers issue weekly from different presses to enlighten the lettered inhabitants of what passes in this colony. They are light affairs of four to six pages, and printed on outlandishly coarse, semi-porous paper. Most columns are filled with advertisements by merchants hoping to dupe the population into parting with money for little-needed inventions from Europe. The remaining columns are filled with details of slave auctions and rewards offered for those who have escaped, or 'pulled foot', from their plantations. Foreign news is simply copied verbatim, and such items are studiously kept to a minimum. The stock news involves reports of the doings of local politicians, conveyed in such vitriolic and abusive language as in London would surely lead to litigation. These newspapers seemed determined to out-do the other in vulgarity of tone, freely heaping abuse without recourse to the facts. One of these sheets serves as the organ of the administration, its rival as that of the opposition. Never before have I witnessed such vicious parade of injustice and intemperance. I thanked Mr McDonald generously, without displaying my scarcely governed dislike of these sheets, and informed him that he need not bring these newspapers again to distress my sensibility. To be honest I would rather sink in isolation than be offered the comfort of such vileness. Mr McDonald understood, and suggested that he might introduce a colleague to lunch with us, hoping as he did to extend my social circle by degrees. I readily agreed and informed my bouncing black Stella of the impending luncheon appointment, to which purpose she immediately began to busy herself. Before I describe the dramatic events of our social interplay, it will serve to
record the details of the extraordinary board that was set before us.
On account of my arising late (in consequence of Mr McDonald's instructions that I seek further rest at either extremity of the day), the board was neither breakfast, nor lunch, but no less remarkable because of this. We began with a most agreeable forenoon drink called a beveridge, which is made from the milk of the coconut, fresh
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