But let it not be imagined that this worthy and numerous class employ all their business-hours in calculating their gains and losses, poring over the leaves of a dusty ledger, or puzzling their brains over their “bank accounts.” Oh! no, no—the Antiguan merchants are far too wise for that—many a bowl of “pepper-punch” is brewed; many a long cork of approved brand is drawn, and the “rosy red” _Vin de Bordeaux_ is poured into the tendered crystal; and many a bottle of champagne, or “Tennent’s pale ale,” is unwired, uncorked, and its creamy excellence effused for them. Nor is the tongue idle; well-seasoned jests and brilliant repartees abound; news is discussed, wit flies like arrows, and many a rosy face grows more roseate, and many a laughing eye becomes dewy before they part. But I must say something more about the stores—what a scene of confusion they present to the unaccustomed eye!—what varied and multiplied articles do they display! In one part are hogsheads of salt cod, herrings, and other salted fish; bins of Indian corn, rice, peas, and salt; flour, tobacco, barrels of blacking, and kegs of lard. In another part may be found barrels of beef and mess-pork; hogsheads of prime Cumberland hams, kits of ox tongues, and barrels of biscuits; sparkling Moselle, hock, seltzer-water, and lamp-oil; preserved meats and soups, and kegs of crackers; pitch, tar, rosin, and oats; block-tin tureens, spirits of turpentine, and Cognac brandy; crates of earthenware, rose nails, and hogsheads of tin-ware; with London pickles, agricultural implements, and hair-brooms. On another side of the store lie huddled together hogsheads of Barclay’s brown stout, boxes of soap, bundles of wood-hoops, and cases of gilded cornices; boxes of raisins and currants, paving flags, and masts and oars; firkins of Cork butter, hogsheads of lime, and patent corkscrews; Hyson teas, Durham mustard, loaf-sugar, and Havannah cigars; potatoes, onions, Bologna sausage, and blacksmiths’ coals; artificers’ tools, anti-corrosion paint, currycombs, and _gold watches_; the whole wound up with Rowland’s Macassar oil, floating soap, and quack medicines, consisting of Morrison’s pills, and Swain’s Panacea, which, if we believe the labels, are to cure every ill “that flesh is heir to;” while from the ceiling dangle in graceful negligence, coils of rope, and horses’ halters. To prove to any of my readers who may be sceptical of the truth of such a _various_ assemblage of goods, as I have stated the merchant’s stores contain, I will give a _correct copy_ of a cargo handed about to the different merchants, as brought by an American vessel arrived to-day:— CARGO ON BOARD BRIG “RANDOLPH,” FROM PHILADELPHIA.