and other oils, to barter with vessels touching
here; and they all partake greatly of the
honest roughness of British tars.
Accustomed to be either in their whale
boat, pulling through the most dreadful surf
that can be conceived, or covered with blood
and grease, killing and preparing for use
the marine animals who assemble round this
island, it cannot be expected their manners
or appearance should partake much of elegance
or refinement, or their conversation be
such as would be tolerated in polished society;
but it is altogether a new scene to me, and I
take infinite delight in hearing them relate
their different adventures in their own peculiar
seaman’s phraseology. It is a desirable thing,
and one only to be acquired by travelling, to
be able to accommodate oneself to the society
Providence may throw us amongst.
Of the fair ladies of our colony, Mrs. Glass
is a Cape creole, and Mrs. White a half-cast
Portuguese from Bombay: their time is so
fully occupied that I seldom see either of
them; being constantly in the cook-house,
which is separated from our dwelling. Children