COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 81 



we had a very nice room, but only one among us, as 

 Mrs. Hutchinson has no drawing-room, but sits on 

 the verandah, which did very well, as the night was 

 fine. She has such little ducks of children, full of 

 fun and ready to play with any one. After dinner 

 we walked down a very dusty hill to the old town 

 hall, which was clean and well lighted ; a capital 

 band, a superfluity of partners, and plenty of funny 

 people to amuse us. A ball in a warm climate is so 

 nice from all the windows being open ; the only mis- 

 fortune is that everybody walks, and brings in a peck 

 of dust a-piece. There is a Miss Althea Tucker, 

 like a very fat Georgina Hay, with curls all over her 

 head, who danced fine steps to my delight, and a still 

 fatter Humpty Dumpty, who boasted the name of 

 Mrs. Washington. Frocks and tunics of all kinds 

 and dimensions ; very few pretty faces, and never a 

 good figure. Next day my aunt and Mailly came 

 home in the phaeton, going first to a ploughing 

 match, for five guineas, given by my uncle. There 

 were actually sixteen ploughs. There were only 

 three six years ago, and the cultivation has improved 

 wonderfully since we were here. The Governor and 

 Admiral and all the big wigs were there. I had a 

 four hours' beat, with the wind right against us, in 

 the Hebe, having the two Miss Reids, one a non- 

 entity, the other a great talker, Captain Erskine and 

 Mr. Katon, so we were pleasant enough, and ap- 

 proved of our expedition very much. Then we have 

 had visitors (ladies) staying in the house. I've va- 

 cated my room for Mr. and Mrs. Hallo well, and went 

 VOL. i. 6 



