But were I to give a preference anywhere I should certainly do so to the West Indians, if it were only for the sake of the planters' daughters.

I say it fearlessly, these colonies are the brightest jewels in the crown.

Let's drink their health, for I'm as husky as a lime-kiln." This ceremony being performed with suitable enthusiasm, the major cried out, "Another cheer for Polly Hackett, the sweetest girl in Jamaica.

By Jove, Power, if you only saw her as I did five and forty years ago, with eyes black as jet, twinkling, ogling, leering, teasing, and imploring, all at once, do you mind, and a mouthful of downright pearls pouting and smiling at you, why, man, you'd have proposed for her in the first half-hour, and shot yourself the next, when she refused you.

She was, indeed, a perfect little beauty, _rayther_ dark, to be sure,--a little upon the rosewood tinge, but beautifully polished, and a very nice piece of furniture for a cottage _orne_, as the French call it.