ANOTHER VISIT. 



39 



ferent parts of the country. About ten o'clock 

 in the morning, we embarked in a canoe, and 

 were poled and paddled across the bay, on 

 the land side of the town. On our arrival upon 

 the opposite shore, the tide was out, and the 

 mud deep ; in fear and trembling for our silks, 

 two of us clang to the backs of the canoe-men y 

 who with some difficulty put us down safe on 

 dry land ; but the third, who was heavier, for 

 some minutes debated whether to return home 

 was not a better plan ; however, he took courage, 

 and was, likewise, safely conducted through this 

 region of peril. We then walked up to the 

 house, which covers much ground, and of which 

 the apartments are spacious, and all upon the 

 rirst floor. The garden was laid out by this 

 gentleman's father, in the old style of straight 

 walks, and trees cut into shapes. A large party 

 was already assembling, as this was the anni- 

 versary of the birth-day of our hostess ; but the 

 females were all ushered into one room, and the 

 men into another ; cards and backgammon, as 

 usual, were the amusements, but there was 

 little of ease and freedom of conversation. At 

 dinner, the ladies all arranged themselves on 

 one side, and the men opposite to them ; there 

 were victuals of many kinds in great profusion, 

 and much wine was drank. Some of the gentle- 

 men who were intimately acquainted with the 

 family, did not sit down at table, but assisted in 

 d 4 



