84 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



were the halves of a gourd ; and all their table- 

 linen confided of the leaves of the plantain. The 

 Governor, at firft, exprefled fome furprize at the 

 meannefs of their dwelling; then, addreffing him- 

 felf toiVladame de la Tour, he faid, that his public 

 fituation fometimes prevented him from paying 

 attention to individuals, but that flie, however, 

 had a title to claim his more immediate regard. 

 *' You have, madam," added he, *' an aunt at 

 " Paris, a lady of quality and very rich, who de- 

 ** figns to beftow her fortune upon you, but, at 

 *' the fame time, expeds that you will attend her.'* 

 Madame de la Tour replied, that her unfettled flate 

 of health would not permit her to undertake fo 

 long a voyage. ** Surely, then," cried M. de la 

 Bourdonaye, " you cannot, without injuftice, de- 

 *' prive your young and beautiful daughter of fo 

 *' great an inheritance: 1 will not conceal from 

 *' you, that your aunt has employed authority, in 

 '^' order to fecure your daughter's compliance with 

 ~-^. her wifh. The Minifter has written to me, on 

 " the fubjeâ', authorizing me, if there was ne- 

 ** cefTity for it, to exercife the hand of power; 

 ** but my only aim in employing that, is, tO^pro- 

 ** mote the happinefs of the inhabitants of this 

 " colony; I expeâ:, therefore, that you will, with 

 *' cheerfulnefs, fubmit to the facrifice of a few 

 " years, on which depend the eftabliOiment of 

 " your daughter, and your own welfare, for the 



. ** remainder 



