'24 OL1NDA. 



preceded by nine evenings of hymn-singing, and 

 music, in honour of the Virgin, or the saint 

 whose day is to be thus celebrated. On this oc- 

 casion the performance for the novena, or nine 

 evenings, consisted of a piano-forte played by a 

 lady, the wife of a merchant, and a guitar, and 

 some wind instruments, played by several young 

 men of respectability. The vocal music was also 

 executed by the same persons, assisted by some 

 female mulatto slaves belonging to the lady. I 

 was somewhat surprised to hear the airs of coun- 

 try-dances and marches occasionally introduced. 

 However, on the day of the festival, the per- 

 formers were professional men, and in the even- 

 ing fire-works were displayed. Every house in 

 the village was crowded this day with people 

 from all parts. My friend and I had several per- 

 sons to dinner, but before we had half finished, 

 some of their friends appeared, and without cere- 

 mony came in and helped themselves ; soon all 

 idea of regularity vanished, and things were 

 scrambled for. In a short time both of us left 

 our own house, and tried to gain admittance to 

 some other, but all were in the same confusion. 

 We were invited to a dance in the evening, at 

 which the Governor was present ; and although 

 he is himself desirous of making every person feel 

 at ease, still such is the dreadful idea of rank, for 

 I know not what else to call it, in this country, 

 that the behaviour of every one was constrained, 



