our was, however, a little relieved by a circumstance which took
place, and which probably will make my readers imagine that my
propensity for playing tricks was not quite eradicated.

I lodged at a sort of hotel, kept by a mulatto woman of the name of
Crissobella, as the negroes termed her, originally Christobela. She was
of Spanish blood by the father's side, and had come down from the
Havannah. She was very portly; very proud and dignified in her
carriage, and demanded as much attention from her lodgers as a lady
would who had received us as her guests, so that, to gain and retain
admittance into her hostelry, it was necessary not only to pay a large
bill, but compliments to an equal amount. She was very rich, possessed
numerous slaves, and was perfectly independent of keeping an hotel. I
believed she preferred to have something for her slaves and herself to
do, and moreover, probably, she felt that if she retired she should be
thought a person of no consequence, whereas in her present position she
received a great deal of attention. One thing was certain, that if
those who lodged and boarded with her were very polite, and, on their
return from any other place, brought her small presents, she was very
indifferent as to their paying their bill; nay, to those who were her
favourites, her purse was open, and a handful of doubloons was freely
tendered, if required.

The living was the same as at a boarding-house. Breakfast was ready in
the large hall by nine o'clock, and remained there until every one had
come down at their own hour. Dinner was always ready at five o'clock,
and then Crissobella presided at the table. She admitted civilians,
army officers, and navy, down to midshipmen; but warrant officers and
captains of merchant vessels were considered too low. On the whole, it
was a very pleasant establishment, as the private rooms were well
furnished, the slaves numerous, and the attendance very good.
Considering the price of most eatables on that island, it could not be
considered as very dear, although the wines, etcetera, made up a
formidable bill at the end of the month.

This kind of exclusiveness on the part of Signora Crissobella made the
hotel quite the fashion, and certainly it was by far the best in the
town. The inmates of it at this time were besides me Lieut. Thomas
Dott and Lieut. William Maxwell, both appointed to the Diligente; three
or four young civilians, on mercantile speculations fro