THIRD JOURNEY. 207 



the skip. While 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 per- 

 mission. 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 Phi- 

 lippi. 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 circum- 

 stances, 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 re- 

 mained but to convey them to the cart, which was in 

 attendance at the door of the depot. Just as one of the 

 inferior officers was carrying a box thither, in stepped 

 the man whom I suspected I should see again at Phi- 

 lippi. He abruptly declared himself dissatisfied with 

 the valuation which the gentlemen of the customs had 

 put upon the collection, and said he must detain it. 

 I remonstrated, but it was all in vain. 



After this pitiful stretch of power, and bad compli- 

 ment to the other officers of the customs, who had been 

 satisfied with the valuation, this man had the folly to 



