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found, to my utter astonishment, that neither the vats nor cloths had 

 been washed since they were last used, and the milk-pails, &c. were in 

 the same condition. This sufficiently accounted for the offensive 

 smell which I had perceived on entering the place. When I asked 

 to see the utensil used for making butter, an apology was made by 

 stating that it was not in the way : they had observed my disgust at 

 the other vessels, and probably thought that this was equally unfit to 

 be inspected. I did all in my power to inform our worthy host of the 

 manner in which English dairies were conducted, and gave him se- 

 veral directions which he wrote down, but seemed quite indifferent 

 about adopting them. On enquiry, I found that no provision 

 was made for the cows ; there were no houses erected for milking, 

 and that operation was frequently neglected, and at all times badly 

 performed. 



The premises bore traces of the industry and taste of the former 

 occupants : there was a mud-wall round them, encompassing about 

 an acre of ground, which, when perfect, must have given the whole 

 a retired and comfortable appearance ; but it was now partly broken 

 down and in ruins. The steps leading to the front door of the dwell- 

 ing were of the lapis ollaris, or pot-stone, of which substance there is 

 a stratum in the vicinity. 



Our cattle being ready, we mounted about eleven in the forenoon, 

 returning thanks to our host, and offering to pay for the aoeommoda- 

 tions we had met with ; but the only compensation he required was 

 a promise on our part to pass a day or two with him on our return. 

 The ladies, who had not appeared at breakfast, came out upon the 

 gallery, and very pleasingly and politely wished us a good journey. 



Resuming our route, we passed several small farms, and observed 

 that the blight had destroyed all their bananas, and withered their 

 coffee-trees. My thermometer at the time was not lower than 52°, but 

 the damage had been done some days before by a sharp southerly wind. 

 In some parts of the road there were very small inclosures of flax and 

 jye. The country now appeared more open, and the wood-scenery 



X 2 



