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mathematies, and the classics, is also established at Cape Henry, under the direction of an English clergyman. The admiral visited these institutions, and was much pleased with their order and regularity, and with the proficiency of the boys, several of whom were ex amined for his satisfaction. The whole expense is defrayed by the King, who frequently inspects them in person.

The hospitals, both military and charitable, are not less admirable. The military is under the direction of Dr Stewart, a man not less to be admired for his professional abilities, than for his hospitality and gentlemanly manners. We went over them, and found as much method and regularity exist ing here, as at the Royal Hospital at Haslar. Dr Stewart has a carte blanche from the King; and nothing is wanting for the comfort and accommodation of the patients. One thing appeared rather ludicrous and unnecessary, which was, a pair of stocks fitted to every bed-place, in which the legs of the occupier are immediately put, on the least symptom of insubordination. Dr Stewart assured us, that coercive measures were absolutely necessary; as, from the great ignorance of some of the negroes, it was impossible to induce them to take their medicines by mild ones.

To this state Haïty has been brought in the sixteenth year of its independence, by a people whom some have the wickedness to reproach with being the link of affinity between the human and the brute creation.

The general residence of the King is Sans Souci, a palace built by himself near a town of that name, situated about fifteen miles from Cape Henry. It is said, that more than two millions sterling have been expended on this magnificent structure, which is placed on such an elevated position, that the thermometer seldom rises higher than 65. Near to this is the Citadel Henry, which stands on the summit of one of the highest mountains in the country. From its natural strength of position, together with its very judicious and elaborate defences of art, it is justly reckoned the Gibraltar' of the West Indies. Three hundred and sixty pieces of artillery are mounted on the ramparts; two years' provisions are constantly kept up for a complete garrison, and it is the principal depot Vot. X.

for military stores of every description. During the latter part of the last year, it suffered very much from lightning which, communicating with a magazine, occasioned a most terrible explosion, destroying a considerable part of the works, and blowing up 350 men, together with a vast quantity of stores, and some treasures. The flames were rapidly approaching the principal magazine, containing upwards of 400 tons of powder, and were probably only stopped by the King's great presence of mind and intrepid example. The instant he became acquainted with the accident, he repaired to the spot, and, in defiance of the prayers and advice of those around him, rushed through the flames, followed by many others, and, by dint of personal exertions, succeeded in removing or destroying the whole of the powder in time to save the citadel from total destruction. The flames were soon afterwards got under, but not before a very considerable damage had been done. It is now repaired and enlarged, and in other respects considerably improved.

With respect to his domestic character, I was assured he was a most excellent father and husband, and has spared no pains in giving his children a finished education. The Princesses have had the advantage of English governesses, and are said to be highly accomplished. The Prince Royal has been brought up by the Baron Vasti, an exceedingly clever and gentlemanly white man, author of several wellwritten publications. During our stay at the Cape, I had the pleasure to become well acquainted with him, and liked him very much. The Queen is a very amiable and charitable woman, quite destitute of the affectation, which generally accompanies so extraordinary a rise as hers. She is fond of relating her adventures during the revolution, the whole of which time she accompanied her husband, with her children on her back, often without any other food than wild fruit and berries, and generally exposed to the weather, sometimes half clothed.

During our stay, we were entertained every evening with balls, given for our amusement by the order, and at the expence of the King. The colours of the company varied from the black to the white. Some of the Creoles were uncommonly pretty, and agreeable; and

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the extraordinary good manners of the generality of the company (whether black, brown, or white) were truly admirable; which, in addition to their great attention and politeness to ourselves, made a most favourable impression. We danced quadrilles, (in the Creole style), and now and then an English country dance. The Haytians are excellent dancers; their manners and dancing are, I fancy, a legacy from their former masters. Count Onaminthé, a very distinguished officer, is one of the most elegant men I ever saw; and a very few minutes in his company made me forget the difference of colour. This officer received seven musket balls through his body, and five bayonet wounds during the revolutionary war. Every thing here is transacted by beat of drum; and at private parties centinels are placed to facilitate the approach and departure of company. At the third night's ball, some of the ladies shewed an inclination to move off at an early hour; which being perceived by the governor, orders were immediately given to the centinels not to permit them to pass, without being franked by an English or Haytian officer.

On Thursday the 19th, the governor gave a grand entertainment in honour of the admiral. We sat down, about fifty, to dinner. The entertainment was excellent, and conducted in very good style. The company consisted of the principal people in Hayti; among them was the Archbishop, a native of Cuba, of pure Spanish extraction. He wore a very becoming sort of dress, uncommonly well calculated for stage effect. It consisted of a long black satin robe, with an enormous gold crucifix suspended from his neck. As soon as dinner was over, the Duke of Marmalade, in a long speech, proposed the "health of the King of Great Britain, and perpetual amity with the great nation over which he reigns." This was drank with great applause. Sir Home Popham then, in a complimentary speech, gave, the "Health of the Good King Henry." The Haytians appeared to devour every word he uttered, and received the toast with more enthusiasm than I ever witnessed. This was followed by several patriotic songs, which my very slight knowledge of French did not permit me fully to understand. Count

<< The Prince

Onaminthé then gave, Regent;" after which other complimentary toasts ensued on both sides. A band of music attended, and struck up a tune to every toast. The evening's amusement concluded, as usual, with a ball.

The King, being on the frontiers at the time of our arrival, was not able to reach Cape Henry before ten o'clock this night. His arrival was announced by salutes fired from the different batteries. At day-break on Friday morning, he proceeded to visit the hospitals and arsenal; and at ten, Sir Home Popham and party waited upon him at the palace, where we were received with every possible attention and respect by the principal nobility, the Archbishop, and a guard of honour of the Gardes-du-Corps, a very fine body of men, in uniform, with crimson facings and gold lace.

The entrance to the palace is both handsome and convenient. In the hall are the prints of distinguished British statesmen, soldiers, and sailors, together with several military and naval victories. We were conducted, through two lines of officers, to a large and splendidly furnished room, rendered delightfully cool by artificial means. The court-uniform of the officers is dark green, with crimson facings, and a profusion of embroi dery; their pantaloons of white satin, embroidered with gold.

The more one sees of this interesting country, the more one admires the man, whose strong mind, indefatigable conduct, and great natural abilities, have brought his subjects (previously sunk in the most degrading slavery and ignorance) to so high a state of order, and even refinement; and not less ought we to admire the people who are capable of receiving such rapid acquirements.

In a few minutes the King and his son, the Prince Royal, entered the room, by a door opposite where we were placed. The ease and dignified elegance of his deportment did not fail to excite our admiration. He was dressed in a plain green coat, decorated with the grand cross of the Order of St Henry, white satin breeches, and crimson Morocco boots. Though covered upon his entrance, he soon took off his hat, and desired us to be seated. His hair is perfectly gray, his countenance very intelligent, and his

whole person well proportioned; his manners are particularly pleasing, without the slightest appearance of affectation or arrogance.

He first addressed himself to the Admiral, congratulating him on his arrival, and expressing his hope that he intended to make a long visit; regretting, at the same time, that, on account of his distance from Cape Henry, he had been prevented receiving him before, but trusting that Baron Dupuy had done his duty in arranging every thing to Sir Home's satisfaction. He then complimented him on his well-known abilities, said he was no stranger to the services he had done his country, mentioned the Popham code of signals now used in the navy, and concluded by inviting us to his Palace of Sans Souci, which, I regret to say, the Admiral did not accept, being anxious to return to Jamaica, whence he had been absent about two months-a much longer period than he had made arrangements for at the time of sailing.

The King then spoke to each of us, quite in a familiar manner; his whole conversation was highly flattering to England. The Prince Royal, only fifteen years old, is one of the fattest fellows I ever saw, and, from his appearance, might easily pass for ten years older. His dress was as superb as gold, silver, and jewels could make it. In his hat he wore a large plume of ostrich feathers, which had a very becoming effect. I was told, he is a very good-natured boisterous lad.

After remaining half an hour, we retired, leaving the Admiral and the King tête-à-tête. Their conference lasted about two hours, during which we waited in a room below. All kinds of refreshments were handed in, by a profusion of servants, in green and gold liveries. By the time we had nearly talked ourselves asleep, the King and the Admiral came into our room. His Majesty began to speak in a witty strain, and laughed heartily at the malevolence of the French, who make a practice of inventing the most ridiculous stories about him. Amongst others, he mentioned one that lately appeared in their newspapers, of his having, in a paroxysm of rage, thrown the Prince Royal from a window of the palace for having disturbed his sleep. Pointing to his son, he laughingly observed, "These Frenchmen highly compli

ment my strength; I fear that it would require more than I am master of even to lift so stout a fellow." He then changed his note to a more serious subject, and talked of his eldest son, who had been treacherously strangled by the French; this he did in a very feeling manner, at the same time expressing his abhorence of their whole nation.

Shortly after this we took leave; the King assuring the Admiral of his great respect for magnanimous England! The same evening he set off for Sans Souci, as the heat of Cape Henry does not agree with him. Whe ther in a carriage or on horseback, he constantly travels at full gallop, and is capable of undergoing any degree of fatigue or privation; although, when at home, he lives in a luxurious manner.

On Saturday morning I breakfasted with the Archbishop, who received me with the kindest cordiality. It was his intention to have given the Admiral an entertainment, and he had made his ar rangements for that purpose, which he took care to shew me. A large table was placed in his principal room, that would have answered for sixty people, and all his other preparations manifested great liberality. His house is ornamented with English pictures and prints. I particularly noticed several of Cardinal Wolsey, at the different periods of his extraordinary life. In his library, I observed a large collection of English sermons, presented by Mr Wilberforce. The same thing I remarked at Baron Dupuy's. In fact, a constant correspondence is kept up by that excellent man and several of the Haytians.

The Admiral's long absence from Jamaica induced him to embark this evening, much to the regret of us all; for I never spent a more agreeable week than at Cape Henry, and I never met with so much kindness and hospitality. On Sunday, the 23d, we sailed for Port Royal.

No man could be better calculated to make a favourable impression than Sir Home Popham; his engaging manners, and enlightened understanding, made him popular with every one.

If you are not heartily fatigued with this long story, my dear ******, I shall give you credit for more patience than generally falls to the lot of mortals; but I could go on for ever, so pleasing are

my recollections of our amiable Haytian friends. I send you with thisa Court-Almanack, which contains the same description of information that our Red Book does. You must not laugh at the Duke of Marmalade's and Count Lemonade's titles, as they take them from places that received those names from the French.

At our departure, the King made us liberal presents of wine, live stock, preserves, fruit, &c. which we found on board, without any intimation having been made of such an intention. With my dutiful love to &c. &c.

Yours, &c.

G. W. C.

P. S. On reading over this long letter, I find I have omitted to mention a rather singular corps, of which

the Queen of Hayti is commander. It consists of fifty women, dressed after the fashion of Amazons, and armed with bows and arrows and sabres. I did not see them, but was informed their costume was particularly handsome and rich. These ladies are not intended for actual service, but merely as an addition to the queen's retinue, as well as a memorial of some female patriots, who particularly distinguished themselves during the revolution. The quarters of this troop are Sans Souci. They are, generally, ladies of rank. I heard a good deal of the beauty of their horses, which are selected for them throughout the whole kingdom. You will receive with this some Haytian publications and gazettes, together with a liturgy of the Church of Hayti, which a good deal resembles our own.

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L'ESPRIT DU PEUPLES

Deux citoyens haranguoient sur la place,
Montés chacun sur un treteau :

L'un vend force poisons, distillés dans une eau
Limpide à l'œil; mais il parle avec grace,
Son habit est doré, son équipage est beau—
Il attroupe la populace.

L'autre, ami des humains, jaloux de leur bonheur,
Pour rien debite un antidote:

Mais il est simple, brusque et mauvais orateur—
On s'en moque; on le fuit comme on fou qui radote,
Et l'on court à l'empoissoneur.

IMITATED.

Two orators a gaping throng addrest,

Each from his tub: the first rank poison vends,
Whose treacherous crystal cheats the vulgar eye;
And flowery are his tropes, and rich his vest,
And near, a gaudy equipage attends:

The concourse thickens round, to taste-and die.
Friend of his kind, and zealous for their good,
An antidote the other offers gratis:

gay 'tis ;

But then his garb-Heaven knows how little And for his speech, I'd almost call'd it rude "Dotard!" they cry, and round the poison-monger crowd.

Qual madre i figli con pietoso affetto

Mira, e d'amor si strugge a lor davante;
E un bacia in fronte, ed un si stringe al petto
Uno tien sùi ginocchi, un sulle piante.
E mentre agli atti, a i gemiti, all' aspetto
Lor voglie intende si diverse e tante;

A questi un guardo, a quei dispensa un detto,
E se ride o s'adira, e sempre amante--
Tal
per
voi Provvidenza alta infinita
Veglia, e questi conforta, e quei provvede ;
E tutti ascolta, e porgi a tutti aïta,
E se niega talor grazia o mercede-
O niega sol, perchè à pregar ne invita;
O negar finge, e nel negar concede.

IMITATED.

As by her filial circle first we see

A mother gaze and yearn with love's fond throes; One's brow she kisses, to her bosom close

Clasps one, and this on foot and that on knee

Seats; and while sign, or sigh breathed audibly,
Or look, their various vast ambitions shows,
Here she a glance, and there a word bestows-
But smile she, frown she-smiles, frowns lovingly :

So watches for man's weal high Providence,

Soothing now him that wants, now him that grieves; So heed and aid His cares to all dispense

And if some blessings unbestow'd he leaves,

He but withholds to wake the prayer intense;

Or seems but to withhold, and in withholding gives.

X.

X.

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