PROFESSOR SMITH'S JOURNAL. 275 



%Vith an umbrella over his head, though the weather was cold 

 and cloudy, he represented the very best caricature I ever 

 saw. He soon became more moderate on being informed 

 that these vessels were not belonging to slave-merchants 

 (who generally for the sake of their own profit grant these 

 gentlemen every possible indulgence), but to the king of 

 England, and that our object was not trade. In order 

 however to give him a proof of our good will towards him, 

 a gun was discharged, and a merchant flag hoisted. At 

 table they ate and drank immoderately ; and in return 

 promised to procure refreshments if we would send a boat 

 on shore. In the meantime they were to remain on board. 

 Fitzmaurice was accordingly ordered to go on shore in 

 the boat. The Captain observing my extreme impatience 

 to accompany him, said that if an excursion of a few 

 minutes could be of any use to me he would readily give 

 his permission, but that there w^as no place for more of 

 us. I was not long in jumping into the boat. With a 

 fair wind and with the assistance of oars we v/ere scarcely 

 able to double the point on account of the current. At 

 last with great difficulty we reached the shore. Ah, our 

 pilot, flung a rope to the negroes, who flocked down, and 

 they drew us for some time through the surf along the 

 coast. The A^egetation was magnificent and extremely 

 beautiful. Shrubs of a rich verdure, large gramineous 

 plants, and thick groups of palms met the eye alternatel3\ 

 The country displayed the most beautiful forms, the most 

 charming scenery. I found myself as in a new world, 

 which was before known to me in imagination only, or by 



