I must say, that a
few bottles of Eau de Cologne thrown about the room would have improved
the atmosphere. By this time the heat was terrible, and the _mopping_
of the ladies' faces everlasting. I would recommend a DIGNITY ball to
all stout gentlemen, who wish to be reduced a stone or two. Supper was
now announced, and having danced the last country dance with Miss
Minerva, I of course had the pleasure of handing her into the supper
room. It was my fate to sit opposite to a fine turkey, and I asked my
partner if I should have the pleasure of helping her to a piece of the
breast. She looked at me very indignantly, and said, "Curse your
impudence, sir, I wonder where you larn manners. Sar, I take a lily
turkey _bosom_, if you please. Talk of _breast_ to a lady, sar!--really
quite _horrid_." I made two or three more barbarous mistakes before the
supper was finished. At last the eating was over, and I must say a
better supper I never sat down to. "Silence, gentlemen and ladies,"
cried Mr Apollo Johnson, "wid de permission of our amiable hostess, I
will purpose a toast. Gentlemen and ladies--You all know, and if be so
you don't, I say there no place in de world like Barbadoes. All de
world fight again England, but England nebber fear; King George nebber
fear, while _Barbadoes 'tand 'tiff_. 'Badian fight for King George to
last drop of him blood. Nebber see the day 'Badian run away; you all
know dem French mans at San Lucee, give up Morne Fortunee, when he hear
de 'Badi volunteer come against him. I hope no 'fence present company,
but um sorry to say English come here too jealous of 'Badians.
Gentlemen and lady--Barbadian born ab only one fault--he _really too
brave_. I purpose health of `Island of Barbadoes.'" Acclamations from
all quarters follow--this truly modest speech, and the toast was drunk
with rapture; the ladies were delighted with Mr Apollo's eloquence, and
the lead which he took in the company.

O'Brien then rose and addressed the company as follows:--"Ladies an
gentlemen--Mr Poll has spoken better than the best parrot I ever met
with in this country; but as he has thought proper to drink the `Island
of Barbadoes,' I mean to be a little more particular. I wish, with him,
all good health to the island; but there is a charm without which the
island would be a desert--that is, the society of the lovely girls who
now surround us, and take our hearts by storm,"--(here O'Brien put his
arm gently rou