Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 11).djvu/76

 a little powder in his hair, just a sober grey. His eyes beam with an expansive kindness, gentleness, and liberality, not often seen in persons of his elevated station, and his physiognomy, viewed as a whole, announces a noble, well-judging, and generous mind.

{47} 3rd.—Paid my hotel bill, 28 dollars and a half for 11 days. The business of the bar-keeper, an influential character, seems to be, to make a bill. One bottle of madeira, in the bill, more than I ordered or drank. It is charged 2 dollars or 9s. sterling a bottle, and cider half a dollar, the finest in the world, and first cousin to champaigne; it is made in the north. Strong cider is procured thus: set out a large cask, during winter, until the whole body seems frozen; then bore into its centre, from which runs an unfreezable quantity, highly spirituous. It is then bottled and closely corked, and in summer comes forth, the pure sparkling soul of the barrel. Parted with Mr. Richmond for the north, a sober, sensible, honourable man.

5th.—Wrote to J. Ingle in Illinois, and to my cousin, Major Rugely, of Camden, S. Carolina, apprizing them of my intended visit. General Young Blood, the lieutenant governor of this state, took his leave of us this morning for his country seat. Introduced this day by my friend, Colonel M'Kinnon, to a young gentleman, Edwards, Esq. of Savannah, and others, who, with the young colonel, had all there met as gay proud birds of a feather; men, I mean, who, in duels, had killed their man each!!

6th.—Colonel M'Kinnon was this day refused claret at dinner. The landlord was called to account for so refusing, and instructing the bar-keeper. He appeared, and said, "You, colonel, {48} have referred me to your