826 CHEAP LIQUOE AND SEGARS. 



preference to others where they could be much better 

 supplied. To be sure the American consul is resi- 

 dent, and through him they can draw money to the 

 extent of their necessities ; but, on the other hand, 

 provisions are excessively dear, and so are all other 

 supplies needful for shipping. Two articles are cheap 

 — liquors and segars ; the latter being made from 

 tobacco grown on the island. Instead of being filled, 

 as with us, and enclosed in a wrapper, the natives 

 make them entirely of wrappers. They are very mild, 

 and can be purchased for a song ; everybody smokes 

 them and the consumption must be immense. The 

 plug tobacco is of American manufacture, and, from 

 the duty imposed upon it by the government, com- 

 mands a high price. 



Notwithstanding the cheapness of liquors, there is 

 but very little intoxication to be seen amongst the 

 community, although all seem to indulge, more or 

 less, in its use. The favorite drinks are the lighter 

 wines, such as the claret and Vermouth ; these are 

 pleasant, but are detrimental to a healthy condition, 

 of the bowels, and, therefore, excessive indulgence 

 in them in this climate is purchased at a dear rate. 



There is no scarcity of money, most of the ex- 

 changes being made in the metallic currency of Great 

 Britain, and as our Scrimschawing, or to use a less 

 outlandish term, our different manufactures from the 

 bone and ivory procured from the whale, were to 

 these people great curiosities, they commanded 

 good prices. It was not unusual to get from twenty 

 to thirty shillings for a bone cane ; and jagged knives, 

 used by the pastry cook for filagreeing the edges of 

 his pies and tarts, were eagerly bought up at a pound 



