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AMUSEMENTS.
and cast up an account with correctness ; but with regard to those who gained their learning at an earlier date, very much cannot be said for their chirography. I have seen some of their writing, however, which is very passable, while others, again, presented the appearance of complete hieroglyphics, and which I should as soon think of interpreting as the characters on the tomb of " Cheops," or a Chinese manuscript. An anecdote is related of a person whose name was Mac Namara ; he was considered a superior kind of man for his line, but was not much of a penman, his writing being chiefly confined to the signing his own name. One day, his signature was required in some haste, and taking the pen in hand, he commenced “ Macnamamamama," till at length, turning to some person who stood near him, Brother,'' says he, " tell me when me done ; here, don't you think it looks long enough ?" It was his custom, it appears, when signing his name, to look more to the length than the spelling, but being rather flurried on this day, he exceeded his usual limit.
CHAPTER XXXVIII. Negroes: their amusements—Natural ear for music—Singing—Dancing —Subscription routs—Christmas balls—The ball-room decorations —Ball dresses — Gentlemen's appearance — Ladies'—Politeness— Supper, and the supper-table—The morning after a ball—Cards of invitation—The " good night." WE have now to mention the amusements of the negroes, and their conduct in their hours of recreation. The blacks have a remarkable ear for music, and consequently are particularly fond of singing. Indeed, they can hardly do anything without " forming their voice to melody." The sailors, •when heaving an anchor, have a peculiar song which they sing in chorus, pulling the cable at the same time. When moving their houses, (which it is customary to do in this