“Mirth-moving jest,”
throw around their pleasing witcheries. The tables groan beneath their burdens; and among their goodly fare may be found, as the old Christmas carol expresses it—
“Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minced pies, and roast beef.”
[[56]] The estate belongs to “the firm.”
[[57]] The principal of these country residences are—“Claremont,” the seat of the Hon. R. E. Williams; “Cedar Hill,” the seat of the Hon. Wm. Byam, both of them truly paternal looking edifices; “Gilbert,” the seat of the Rev. Nat. Gilbert; “Mount Joshua,” the seat of the Hon. Bertie E. Jarvis; Green Castle, the seat of Sir H. Martin, &c.
CHAPTER XLIX.
The pure in blood—Places of amusement—The theatre—“Romeo Coates”—Jugglers and rope-dancers—Maroon parties—Shooting season—The Creole beauties—Dress—“The lords of the creation”—Fops and foppery—Business hours—Scene at the Antigua post-office—Auction sales—Militia doings—The gallant dragoon—Guard-nights.
There are but few places of public amusement in Antigua; no malls, or parks, or Kensington gardens,—no morning concerts, Colosseums, or exhibition-rooms,—no “Almacks” of an evening,[[58]] or box at the opera, where the Creole beauty may shew forth her charms with eclât. The Antiguan belle has to trust to fortune to bring her admirers;
“Unknowingly she strikes, and kills by chance,”