Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. I.djvu/401

Rh When, however, the speeches are too numerous and too long, I cannot but recal the words of Mr. Poinsett, when on one occasion I spoke with admiration of this wonderful facility in making speeches, “It is a great misfortune!”

After the ceremony the cannon fired loud enough to split the drums of one's ears, if not the walls of the fortress.

The hero of the day descended from the platform amid a host of friends and acquaintances; his sword of honour, with its handsome silver hilt, its inscription and belt, was passed from hand to hand among the spectators. After this, music struck up, and the company proceeded in a promenade dance under the trees, which were illuminated with coloured lamps, the young hero at a given sign taking the lead. Dancing then became general. I noticed a number of little girls dancing; they looked pretty, though I am not fond of seeing children, so fine and such little women, in the dance. The ladies who did not dance sat in grand style on the galleried seats under the trees. Many were very handsome. It astonished me, when Mrs. E., the planter's lady who had looked suspiciously on me, and yet whom I took a liking to, introduced me to her husband, and when they both invited me very kindly and warmly to pay them a visit for as long a time as might be agreeable to me. I was sorry to be obliged to decline so polite an invitation, one which proved to me that I had not been mistaken in my liking for the lady. Her husband also appeared extremely agreeable.

A heavy shower of rain, which came on quite unexpectedly, put a sudden end to the fête, and sent everybody helter-skelter home.

When at home with Mr. B., I heard the negroes singing, it having been so arranged by Hanna L. I wished rather to have heard their own naïve songs, but was told that they “dwelt with the Lord,” and sang only