252 WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA 



However, tliis last expedition ended not so. 

 It taught me how hard it is to learn the grand 

 lesson, "sequam memento rebus in arduis servare 

 mentem." 



But my good friends in the Custom-house of 

 Liverpool were not to blame. On the contrary, 

 they did all in their power to procure balm for 

 me instead of rue. But it would not answer. 



They appointed a very civil officer to attend 

 me to the ship. AVliile we were looking into some 

 of the boxes, to see that the specimens were 

 properly stowed, previous to their being conveyed 

 to the king's depot, another officer entered the 

 cabin. He was an entire stranger to me, and 

 seemed wonderfully aware of his own consequence. 

 Without preface or apology, he thrust his head 

 over my shoulder, and said, we had no business 

 to have opened a single box without his permis- 

 sion. I answered, they had been opened almost 

 every day since they had come on board, and 

 that I considered there was no harm in doing so. 



He then left the cabin, and I said to myself as 

 he went out, "I suspect I shall see that man 

 again at Philippi." The boxes, ten in number, 

 were conveyed in safety from the ship to the 

 depot. I then proceeded to the Custom-house. 

 The necessary forms were gone through, and a 

 proportionate duty, according to circumstances, 

 was paid. 



This done, we returned from the Custom-house 

 to the depot, accompanied by several gentlemen 

 who wished to see the collection. They expressed 

 themselves highly gratified. The boxes were 

 closed, and nothing now remained but to convey 



