I also met there one or two scions of the first families of Virginia.

The Belgian minister did not seem to be aware that slavery is a tabooed subject in polite circles, and he was continually bringing it forward until slaves, slavery, and black people in general became the principal topic of conversation, relieved by occasional discussion upon some new book or pictures, and remarks in praise of the viands before us.

A very amusing thing occurred during dinner.

A bright-faced little coloured boy who was assisting at the table, seemed to take uncommon interest in the conversation.

An animated discussion had arisen as to the antiquity of the use of salad, one party maintaining that one of the oldest of the English poets had mentioned it in a poem, and the other as stoutly denying it.