The result of this princely traffic, more
magnificent than that of Tyre, was a stream of gold and silver flowing
into the Bank of England, to the extent of three millions of pounds
sterling annually, in return for British manufactures; thus supplying the
sinews of war to the government at home, and, besides the advantage of so
large a mart, employing an immense amount of British tonnage, and many
thousand seamen; and in numberless ways opening up new outlets to British
enterprise and capital. Alas! alas! where is all this now? The echo of
the empty stores might answer "where!"
On arriving at Kingston, my first object was to seek out Mr the admiral's
agent, and one of the most extensive merchants in the place, in order to
deliver some letters to him, and get his advice as to my future
proceedings. Mr Callaloo undertook to be my pilot, striding along a--beam
of me, and leaving in his wake two serpentine dottings on the pavement
from the droppings of water from his voluminous coat--skirts, which had
been thoroughly soaked by his recent ducking.
Every thing appeared to be thriving, and as we passed along, the hot sandy
streets were crowded with drays conveying goods from the wharfs to the
stores, and from the stores to the Spanish Posadas. The merchants of the
place, active, sharp--looking men, were seen grouped under the piazzas in
earnest conversation with their Spanish customers, or perched on the top
of the bales and boxes just landed, waiting to hook the gingham--coated,
Moorish--looking Dons, as they came along with cigars in their mouths, and
a train of negro servants following them with fire buckets on their heads,
filled with pesos fuertes.
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