SOME SUMMER DAYS IN MARTINIQUE. 283 



nate, positions like this, where, with a salary of fifteen 

 hundred dollars, each year calls upon the incumbent 

 of the office for an expenditure of at least two 

 thousand. The British consul had resided in Marti- 

 nique fifteen years, and received a salary sufficient to 

 maintain him in comfort. Within eighteen months 

 the American consulate had had two representatives. 

 As soon as one is prepared to execute his duties, he is 

 kicked out and room made for another. 



Knowing that the consul was from Boston, I was 

 not surprised to see in his office an " Old Farmer's 

 Almanack ; " but I was greatly enlightened as to its 

 uses when, one day, I saw him take it from its nail 

 and gravely announce that, according to the tables for 

 July, it was "time to take a drink." As the tables in 

 that almanac are prepared for the latitude of Boston, 

 I wondered at the genius that could adapt them to the 

 latitude of Martinique ; but it is probably owing to the 

 fact that much latitude is allowed, and that there a 

 drink is in order at any time. 



Through the aid of the consul, I secured a room 

 and board in a private family, whose delightful 

 dejeuners and suppers will long be a pleasant remem- 

 brance ; and may the good old mulattress who pre- 

 pared them fulfil her mission for many years to come ! 

 She could originate savory stews and ragouts from as 

 nearly nothing as any cook it has been my misfortune 

 to meet ; her " ros-bif " was excellent ; and with a few 

 potatoes and a little flour and fat she would produce 

 " fiotnmc de terre a la Martinique " as she called 

 it that would make an exile from Erin howl with 

 delight. With each plate a bottle of wine and a 

 little twisted loaf of bread ; and after the dessert, of 



