"Oh, murder you speak of the sun dazzling; what is it to the
lustre of that same eye of yours, Mary!"
In the evening I escorted the ladies to a ball, (by the way, a West India
ball--room being a perfect lantern, open to the four winds of heaven, is
cooler, notwithstanding the climate, than a ball--room anywhere else,)
and a very gay affair it turned out to be, although I had more trouble in
getting admittance than I bargained for, and was witness to as comical a
row (considering the very frivolous origin of it, and the quality of the
parties engaged in it) as ever took place even in that peppery country,
where, I verily believe, the temper of the people, generous though it be
in the main, is .hotter than the climate, and that, God knows! is
soporiferous enough. I was walking through the entrance saloon with my
fair cousin on my arm, stepping out like a hero to the opening crash of a
fine military band, towards the entrance of the splendid ball--room filled
with elegant company, brilliantly lighted up and ornamented with the most
rare and beautiful shrubs and flowers, which no European conservatory
could have furnished forth, and arched overhead with palm branches and a
profusion of evergreens, while the polished floor, like one vast mirror,
reflected the fine forms of the pale but lovely black--eyed and black
haired West Indian dames, glancing amidst the more sombre dressed of their
partners, while the whole group was relieved by being here and there
spangled with a rich naval or military uniform.
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