two ladies soon carried it into effect, though to the great discomfort of both mother and child. But he was our firstborn! and there was, of course, a great fuss about him; and to honour him as much as possible, his name must be George, after our good king. "Very well," said I, "be it so: and if he take his father's name as a patronymic, it will sound altogether nobly, George Xavier!" But, alas! the peculiar pronunciation of the Spaniards was not favourable to the name of this august infant; for both father and mother, and Diego too, when speaking of him by his name, called him "Gorgy Shaver," or "Corky Shaver," which, in a great measure, destroyed the sublimity of my intention.

Notwithstanding the interest this new event excited in the mind of my dear wife, she could not help observing my anxiety respecting the Porghee, and took every opportunity of consoling me, and setting my mind at rest; first, by showing the probability of unexpected delay in accomplishing my orders; and next, by directing my intellectual eye to the providence of that God who had hitherto made us his especial care. During Saturday, I gave too much occasion for her kind solaces; and on Sunday, during divine service, we ventured to offer up a prayer for their safety.

MONDAY, 22d December.-1 was preparing to go out again in the Avon, when a schooner was discovered from the flag-staff by Diego, and reported as standing in for the promontory; but he had not been able to make her out, being as yet too far distant in the offing. I lost no time in ascending the height; and instantly, to my great joy, recognised our anxiously expected vessel. She had now approached near enough to allow me to see distinctly with the glass every body and every thing upon deck; and the sight a good deal confounded me. "Diego!" said I, "Captain Drake has brought all Kingston with him, I believe !) take the glass; and see what a crowd is there; what am I to do with all those people!" Diego took the spyglass in his hand; but I did not wait his reply, hurrying myself away to tell my dear wife the news, and to prepare for the reception of my friend Drake, and his numerous companions. When I arrived, Diego was close at my heels; and, having acquainted my Eliza and our friends that Drake was now coming round his own promontory, we all hastened to the front of the open ground close above the rocks, to await the arrival of the schooner she was not long in making her appearance; and in a few minutes after, passed us, and then came to an anchor. We were all filled with

wonder at seeing her deck so full of people; but the more so by observing that many of them, men, women, and children, were whites. However, as soon as the anchor was down, Drake came on shore: I welcomed him heartily, as one found that had been lost, exclaiming almost at the same instant-"But who, all, have you got there?”

I don't know," returned he, "whether I have done right or wrong; but I have brought four families I saw in distress at Kingston. The men had belonged to the temporary corps that was raised, you may remember, for putting down the Maroons; but being found useless, it was disbanded. Such as chose, were sent back to America, whence they came; but these four families, being foolishly advised, remained in Jamaica; and gradually found themselves in no better condition than the free negroes, which is bad enough."

Go, and tell them," said I, "they shall be well received; but where to lodge them, Drake, I really do not know. Who else have you got ?"-"Every one," he replied, "you desired me to obtain."-"You have done well!" returned I. "Go and tell them, also, they shall be kindly treated; but for a little time they must put up with great inconveniences. And let them land forthwith."

In about half an hour, the soldiers and their families were conducted to the mansion, and brought into the hall. I received them courteously; and my dear wife, who never could bear to see even an insect in suffering, spoke kindly to the women. The men were beyond the prime of life, and looked the worse for wear; the wives were slat

terns; and the children looked sickly. The youngsters were nine, altogether; and the eldest of them a boy about twelve years old: there were four boys and five girls, the youngest of which was in its mother's arms. I told Diego to show them under the cotton-tree, whose ample shade would make a comfortable temporary retreat, and to desire Rota to give them some solid refreshment.

"James," said I to my brother, after they were gone, "there is nothing for it, I perceive, but to convert your house into a barrack, till we can turn ourselves round, for these people."-" It is yours, brother," he replied; "do with it as you please; but if it were not, you should be quite welcome to it for the purpose wanted."

The black strangers were next brought on shore, and introduced in rotation. The sawyers had been purchased at 400 dollars each; a great price, but they were fine fellows, and unincumbered. I spoke civilly to them, and desired Captain Drake to request Allwood to take them with him in the evening, for the present, to his plantation. The bricklayer came next; a mulatto free man, named Hart, with a wife and two young children, male and female. I told him I would fulfil every agreement made by Captain Drake; but for a little time, he and his family must put up with such lodgings as we could give them, until a place could be fixed on for their residence. I then desired him to get his things on shore, directing Diego to lodge his family in the plank-house; on which he observed, he was in my hands, and must rely on me altogether for dealing fair by him. "You may not

doubt it," said my dear Eliza; "all who behave well, will be more than fairly dealt with here; but I should leave the people to tell you this: I will say, however," continued she, taking one of the children by the hand, and looking kindly on it, "if you love yourselves, we will love you, and show you all kindness." The new negroes were now mustered; and well looking young people they were, decently clad in Osnaburgh; seven men, and four girls. "I do not know what to do with all these," muttered I to myself; then pausing a moment, concluded to send the men to occupy the outhouses at Peccary Field. That my embarrassment might be more complete, the two New Englanders had brought wives with them, who were presented to us in their turn. "Dame Rota," said I, "what are we to do with these?"-"Let them be with Derrick and his wife, if it please massa," she replied, courtesying. "We would take them ourselves," continued she, "but Mira is come back, and she and Martin are again with us; and La Señora, I know, would not send them to trouble Hachinta and her little child."-"But then," I rejoined, "Derrick and his wife must take their husbands also.”—“But they not married yet,” rejoined Rota, looking with no inconsiderable importance, as she made the reply. "You are quite right, Duenna," I exclaimed; "we will see about that on Sunday; and you may now tell them so.”

There was so much bustle in the settlement, by the arrival of all these people, that we found no time even to sit down to dinner. Captain Drake handed me my letters, and gave me an outline of