When I lived at the Hyde among the hills in Trelawny, the people used to come down to the Great House to see us and sell us eggs and fruit--often I am afraid our own eggs and our own fruit--and they used to beg a little. Retinella, whom I knew had fowls, and who was I think honest, used to bring a dozen eggs for sale, and then produce a very tiny bottle. “Missus, I kindly begging you a little scent, going to a wedding”--or a funeral. Both these entertainments required perfuming, and there were more of them I am sure than the population could possibly stand. But they did not always beg and they did not always sell. Sometimes they would bring a few heads of corn, a yam or a sour sop, and when payment was offered it would be, “Missus, I kindly giving it you. You give me things, you never let me give you things.” So then we would accept gratefully, and cast about to see what return could be made without it being too patent that we were giving something for value received. The town man likes to see himself in print, and not only the letters in the _Gleaner_, the principal Jamaican paper, but the advertisements show his sentiments. I think the first thing that struck me was the many advertisements for straightening the hair. I am accustomed in these northern latitudes to see many prescriptions offering a permanent wave that no damp will affect, and I have seen not only women but young men with their hair carefully “Marcelled” with the curling tongs, so why I should be amused at the man who wants the kink taken out of his locks I do not know. There are certainly many men and women who do desire it. But where the coloured man really spreads himself out is in the matrimonial advertisements. They are a constant source of delight. Sometimes a lady wants to be married. Here is one who is beginning early-- “To Marry,” the advertisement is headed. “A lady eighteen years of age wants a husband” (no beating about the bush, plain statement of fact); “must be from a respectable family. Fair or white preferred. Enclose photograph; please send name and address.--Apply Miss G., c/o _Gleaner_, Kingston.” “Bride Wanted,” says another advertisement; but the gentleman who wants has an eye to the main chance. “To correspond with a lady of some independent means with the view of marriage; any colour except white, must be good at sewing; March born preferred.--Apply 'Businessman,' Williamsfield P.0.” “Any colour except white” is, of course, sheer defiance. But it is the advertisements of those who rather wish the knot had never been tied that are the most amusing. “Notice.--My wife, Sophia Junor, having left my home from the 31st day of May in my sick bed, and up to this date having not returned, this is to warn the public that I do not hold myself responsible for any debt she might contract. Matthias Junor, Bath P.O., Knockands.”