EXPEDITION TO SURINAM. 



At this time the ladies begin to make their appearance,, 

 who are particularly fond of a tete-a-tete by moon-light, 

 when they entertain with Sherbet, Sangaree*, and wine 

 and water ; befides the moft unreferved and unequivocal 

 eonverfation concerning themfelves, as well as the pecu- 

 liar qualifications of their hufbands, and the fituation of 

 tlieir female flaves, whom they propofe the acceptance 

 of to the gentlemen they converfe with at fo much per 

 week, according to their own eftimation. Sometimes 

 placing half a dozen of them in a row, the lady fays, 

 " Sir, this is a callebafee, that is a maid, and this is not"—' 

 thus are they not only unreferved in their eonverfation, 

 but alfo profufe in their encomiums upon fuch gentle- 

 men as have the honour of their inflrudtive company, 

 and whofe perfou or figure meets with their appro- 

 bation. 



They are alfo rigid difciplinarians, as the backs of 

 their poor flaves, male and female, fufEciently teftify. 

 Thus every country has its cufloms, and from thefe 

 cuftoms exceptions are to be made ; for I have known 

 ladies in Surinam, whofe delicacy and polite eonverfation 

 would have graced the firft circles in Europe. Befides 

 the amufements of feafting, dancing, riding, and cards, 

 they have, a fmall theatre, where the inhabitants of 

 fafhion a(3t plays for their own amufem en t, and that of 

 their friends. As they ara elegant in their drefs, fo they 



* Water, Madeira win^, nutmeg and fugar, 



keep 



