We get most things in this way, and our latest transaction in barter was for slate pencils and files, of which we stood much in need. The school was reduced to chalk and the blackboard. For a long time, we were greatly at a loss for wedding rings; and the one ring on the Island had to be lent for each successive ceremony. This want is now supplied.
Coin is a curiosity: we have but two sovereigns, a dozen half-crowns, with a choice assortment of minor pieces, and one fourpenny bit. This last stands under an inverted tumbler, which constitutes our nearest approach to a numismatic museum. The collection might increase, if only the ladies could consent to part with their jewelry, for our few English coins are worn as ornaments. There are American dollars in greater plenty, but the currency is chiefly in potatoes.
We think of raising cotton, which would thrive very well in this latitude, and it is quite possible that, in a few years, we may be no longer dependent on Europe for shirts. It would add much to our sense of dignity, and, beside, would tend to make us more self-supporting, in the event of complications with a foreign power.
We have no navy to speak of, but there is a first-rate whale boat. The steersman of the whale boat is also Magistrate, or Governor of the Island—my host. There is precedent for it: Pitt, I believe, was First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer, at the same time. The Governor is elected annually, by universal suffrage of both sexes.
O that Governor!
He has just laid down his pipe, to fish the Revised Statutes out of the pocket of his pilot coat. ‘We make ’em as we want ’em,’ he says simply, ‘but I hope we shall soon want no more. There’s quite enough already, to my mind.
‘You see, sir, the first is a “Law Respecting the Magistrate” (that’s me, for the present). He’s to carry out the laws, and when there’s any complaint to call the people together and hear both sides. Everyone is to treat him with respect. But they all do, you know, without that,’ his Excellency was pleased to add.
‘Then there’s a “Law Regarding the School.” All children to go; or to pay, whether they go or not. Fee, a barrel of Irish potatoes a year, or thereabouts.’
‘A barrel of Irish potatoes, you see, in our currency, stands for twelve shillings, and the school fee is a shilling a month. A barrel of sweet potatoes is only eight shillings. Three good bunches of plantains make four shillings, and so on.
‘On the 1st of January we visit landmarks, first thing after the election, and see they are all right.