meaning, of course, that the gentleman resided in St. John’s, the capital of Antigua.
Having given two specimens of their written invitations, perhaps some of my readers may call out, “Enough!” but there is still one before me, which looks so very dashing that I cannot pass it by with any propriety. It is written upon a _red_ card, (placed in a _blue_ envelope,) in the following manner:—
“Mr. Edward and Sam will happy of Mr. Hues Company on the 25th instant, &c. Quadrilles in Bishopsgate Street.
The ball generally breaks up between four and five, and then there is great cloaking-up with the ladies, the gentlemen lending all the assistance. “’Tanky, Mr. _Theopolus_, you’re bery kind, I’se sure.” “Miss, anything dat _lays_ in my power for a lady like you.” “Oh, sir! you’re very purlite.” “Miss Eleanora, does dis shawl ’blongs to you?” “I’se ’bleive it do, Mr. Frederick.” “Well, I do declare, I thought so, ’cause it’s handsome, like its owner,” &c. &c. The _Good nights_ are then repeated, and the ladies move off, accompanied by their _beaux_, and the late gay ball-room is left to the smell of expiring tallow-candles, and lamp-oil; drooping flowers, and broken bottles; sleeping musicians, and half-starved dogs, who creep in with the hopes of picking up a stray bone or two; until the bright sun arises, and bids the inmates bestir themselves to clear away the relics of their midnight orgies.
[28] For mode of moving houses, see page 132.
[29] A negro’s specific for the head-ache.
[30] I am not quite certain what is meant by this expression; but suppose it relates to the arrangement of the forms, or benches.
Negroes: Fondness for “Nancy stories”—Negro loquacity—Their signification of the word “cursing”—Markets—Confusion of tongues—Weddings—The drive to church—Wedding banquet—Blushing brides—Funerals—“Wake nights”—Funeral procession—Christening— High-sounding names.
After dancing, I think the next favourite pastime of the negroes, particularly among the younger ones, is to collect together upon a fine moonlight night, and talk “Nancy stories,” (which, as before remarked, generally consist of tales of _diablerie_,) and the far-famed “Scheherazade” of the “Arabian Nights” could scarcely invent more marvellous ones. Some tell of a wondrous bird, (equalling in magnitude Sinbad’s roc,[31]) which in other days appeared, and completely covered Antigua for some time, obliging the good people to “light candle all de day, so dat dey neber no when night come self;” others tell of men turning into monkeys, (no uncommon thing now-a-days;) some of demons, and their deeds; and others, again, of golden houses, and streets of silver, flying dragons, and talking birds. These “Nancy stories” are generally given in a species of recitativo; but the conclusion to them all is the same—“I was dere, an see it well done, and I get a glass of wine for me pains!” The relater of these tales is held in great repute, and to obtain instruction in the art, many a little negro will give their dinners, and go hungry to-bed.