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148 THE VICAR. 



come to his door to see the travellers ; he soon 

 recognised his friend, and came forwards to 

 speak to him. He procured a house for us 

 during our stay ; it was a small place, upon 

 which neither plaster nor white-wash had been 

 bestowed, with two rooms, one opening to the 

 square, and the other to the river. When we 

 were a little settled, and I had dressed myself, 

 I sallied forth to visit the vicar, who resided in 

 the best, or rather least miserable looking habi- 

 tation in the town ; it was about the size of the 

 cottages of labourers, or small farmers in Eng- 

 land, but not nearly so comfortable, though the 

 floors were bricked. It is true, that this climate 

 does not demand, as much as those of bleaker 

 regions, that necessary of an English dwelling, 

 of English growth, that undefinable something, 

 called comfort. I told him, I had called upon 

 him, as the first person of the neighbourhood, 

 and that I should always be happy in my pro- 

 ceedings to have the prayers and good wishes of 

 his order, and particularly his, as the Governor 

 had spoken so very highly of him. Some further 

 conversation passed between us ; but I did not 

 stay long, for I was much tired. I made arrange- 

 ments for sending my horses towards Piatd, 

 where grass was to be had, and the green stalks 

 of maize, sugar-cane, and other plants ; but the 

 guide recommended that we should not stay 

 here longer than was necessary. He said, that 

 14 



