of his sons, who was in Europe finishing his education. All the naturalists were invited, and we made our appearance at the Government-house, an hour after sun-set. As the coolness of the atmosphere was not then inconsistent with dancing, the ball had already begun, and several country dances were formed in the great saloon, in which the Governor received us, on our first visit along with General Dentrecasteaux.
This saloon was a kind of gallery, which was decorated with some engravings, and a few very indifferent pictures, placed at a great distance from each other. The walls were only plastered with some coats of lime; although it would not have been difficult to have adorned them with fine wainscotting at a small expence; as the island produces several kinds of wood proper for inlaid work.[1]
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- ↑ The number of scorpions and solopendræ (or forty-legs) before observed to have been brought on board with the wood taken in at Carteret harbour, might have suggested to the Author, that wainscotting only serves as an asylum to those and other vile insects, which swarm in most tropical countries. For the same reason, a great number of prints and pictures are inconvenient, and it is scarcely possible to preserve paper from the attacks and the excrements of insects. Plain painting and white-washing are almost the only decorations, which the insides of houses conveniently admit in those climates; as the Author would have discovered, if he had continued to reside in them.—Translator.
