METHODIST TEA-PARTY.
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danced from hand to hand, and every one appeared resolved to prove, par experience, the goodness of the plenteous fare placed before them. As for myself, I had full work for my eyes, and postponed the exercise of my masticatory powers until another opportunity. Now, be it known to my English readers, that tea is a beverage West Indians seldom, if ever, indulge in ; except those of the higher classes. When, then, such a mixed party of coloured persons meet together for the express purpose of partaking of that cup " which cheers, but not inebriates," it is done by the lower classes merely for the sake of fashion, or to shew off their gala dress. Accordingly, some most ludicrous caricatures might have been taken, had Cruikshank or Phiz been of the party instead of myself. Some of this class sipped their tea with the same apparent relish they would have partaken of so much decoction of senna, or any other similar luxury the pretty new " druggist's shop,'' lately established in St. John's, under the auspices of a son of " mighty Scotia," so neatly dispenses. Others, with many a rueful look, talked of the delights of tea-parties, and of their own fondness for that fragrant herb, while they beat a tattoo upon their tea-cups ; and some, again, with noble determination of purpose, stirred their smoking cup until a little cool, and then gulped down the whole quantum, much in the same way, and with the same happy countenances, as a debutant generally swallows his first glass of water from some of our English chalybeate springs. The " young men� of the class already noticed, appeared to have been engaged the preceding forenoon in studying attitudes, for, collected in groups, they stood leaning against the pillars, distorting their forms and faces, and striving, I suppose, to emulate the statues of the " Apollo Belvidere," or the " Farnesian Hercules." Everything in this world has its end, and consequently the time at length arrived when the repast—to which all appeared to do justice, and consumed such huge pyramids