[[84]] It may be necessary to remark, for the benefit of my English readers, that although Saturday is the principal market-day, Monday is more generally used by the labouring class for coming into the capital to provide their weekly supplies. So much is this the case, that where you may see fifty labourers employed upon a plantation upon the other days of the week, on Monday you will scarcely find twenty.
[[85]] As it may amuse the reader, we here transcribe an original letter, written by our great naval hero at this period, which is carefully preserved by its proprietor as an invaluable relic:—
“English Harbour, Aug. 3rd, 1784.
“As the captains of the navy at this port mean to establish a mess for the hurricane months, by their desire I write to beg that you will send us round, by the first opportunity, the undermentioned articles—viz., one hogshead of port, one of the best white wine that you have, twelve dozen of porter in bottles, fifty pounds loaf sugar, one firkin of good butter, two baskets of salt, two pounds black pepper.
“I have the honour to be, your humble servant,
“Horatio Nelson.
“P.S. As we only wait for these things to begin our mess, the sooner they arrive the better. Mr. Druce, the agent victualler is a going to send provisions round for the Fury which will be a good opportunity.
“Addressed to ——— Kerr, Esq.”
[[86]] It may be necessary to remark, that roses are very choice flowers in Antigua, the climate not appearing to agree with them. This is strange, as in the East Indies, where the heat is even greater, whole fields are planted with this beautiful shrub, in order to get their leaves to distil the far-fame “Attar.”
[[87]] Of which island he was a native.