An anecdote is related of a gentleman of Antigua, who formed one of this _cortège_, and who was no little pleased with his high rank, and garnished shoulders. Business or pleasure called him to England, and he carried “home” with him his growing daughters to gather instruction, and his smart aide-de-camp’s dress to reap applause. Arrived in London, and the fatigues of the voyage over, our aide-de-camp arrayed himself in his gay uniform, and hiring a carriage, drove with his daughters to a fashionable seminary. His card was sent in “Lieutenant-colonel ———” and the lady of the establishment met him with all possible grace, and bowed and courtesied to his inquiries with elegant obsequiousness. No references were of course asked for—no entrance money demanded: his gay apparel was a sufficient passport, and the gentle “_maitresse d’ecole_” only thought herself too happy in acquiring the patronage of an officer of such high rank. Time sped on, and the recess was at hand—the young ladies remained with their instructress during its period—the scholastic duties were again resumed, and another six months passed away. The various items swelled to a vast amount, yet no remittance came—no aide-de-camp made his appearance. A faintish tremour played around the lady’s heart, and, unwillingly, she began to think of moneyless “soldiers of fortune.” Letters were despatched to put the tardy sire in remembrance of his daughters’ improvements in their various studies, and urge for a remuneration. But alas! like “sleep,” at the call of our fourth “Henry,” it came not; and in the end, the lady was only too happy to get rid of her fair charges without receiving any payment, resolving, however, in her mind, never to trust again a West Indian _aide-de-camp_. ------ [53] It is an erroneous opinion held by some English people, that only coloured persons are called _Creoles;_ the word being, in its proper sense, applied to all who are born in the West Indies. [54] These two classes are of coarse subdivided into many others, according to their different stages in society. [55] A description of salted fish, brought from America. CHAPTER XLVIII. The pure in blood—Aristocrats of the higher order—Law, physic, and divinity—Merchants and planters—Proprietors’ dwellings—A day at a country-seat—Gastronomy—Beef—“Mary Swift”—Mutton—Pork— Turtle and City aldermen—Christmas.