GOVERNMENT BARRACKS. 18T 



appearance of the specimens of the two races here 

 exhibited, the denizens of the city presented a 

 ^vorn, dissipated aspect, wliilst our boys, fresh from 

 the sea, with cheerful countenances and sprightly 

 motion, hooked capable of any amount of exertion. 

 Directly opposite where we lay was the Government 

 barracks, and the presence of the red-coated sentries, 

 with their periodical cry of "All's well" resounding 

 through the air, strangely jarred on an American 

 car. Speaking in terms easily understood of mon- 

 archical governments and their hirelings, this town is 

 indeed little else but a collection of people under 

 martial subjection ; the character of the inhabitants, 

 and their antecedents, rendering them subjects of 

 peculiar care to the British government ; and to 

 ensure their good behavior, a regiment of these 

 scarlet-coated gentry, who have seen actual service, 

 are permanently stationed here. By their presence, 

 rather than any work they are called upon to per- 

 form, these people are intimidated into decorum. 

 Sentries are stationed before the governor's house 

 and the various public buildings, and a nightly patrol 

 is placed near the water. They are continually to 

 be seen walking about the streets accompanied by 

 the handsomest females in the place. This seems a 

 peculiar privilege of the soldier — no matter where 

 you go, you will always see him with a pretty girl ; 

 his continual presence on one station giving him an 

 immense advantage over the sailor; and then, too, 

 the color of his coat is so much more gay than the 

 modest blue, that, in the eyes of the lass that loves 

 display, Jack stands no chance against his hereditary 

 rival. 



