THE BLIND SEAL. 43 



in thunder ; mine host directed the storm-shutters 

 to be put up, ordered in candles, with a fresh supply 

 of billets for the fire, and we made final preparations 

 to be comfortable for the night. 



Were I required to name the most recherche of my 

 kinsman's luxuries, I should specify his unrivalled 

 ** canastre." An ample quantity of this precious tabac 

 (brought from Holland by a smuggler), with excellent 

 Dutch pipes, was produced by honest John, who rises 

 hourly in my estimation. There was also an addendum 

 in the shape of a foreign-looking bottle, which the 

 ancient servitor averred to have been deposited in the 

 cellar since the time of " the master's father." If it 

 were so, the thing is a marvel ; for such liquor is rarely 

 vouchsafed to mortals. Alas i George, while my aching 

 head testifies a too devoted attachment to that misshapen 

 flask, the unequalled flavour of the exquisite schiedam 

 it contained will ever haunt my memory, 



I remarked," said my kinsman, as he struck the 

 ashes from his meerschaum, " that you appeared amused 

 with old John's history of Shawn a tra buoy. Although 

 in its wild state, the seal is always shy, and sometimes 

 dangerous, yet, when taken young, it is easily domesti- 

 cated, and susceptible of strong attachment to its 

 keepers. In January, 1819. in the neighbourhood of 

 Burnt Island, a gentleman completely succeeded in 

 taming a seal ; its singularities attracted the curiosity 

 of strangers daily. It appeared to possess all the sagacity 

 of the dog, and lived in its master's house, and ate from 

 his hand. In his fishing excursions this gentleman 

 generally took it with him ; upon which occasion it 

 afforded no small entertainment. When thrown into 

 the water, it would follow for miles the track of the 



