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214
Recollections of
[Ch. XVIII.

other. On one memorable occasion, Mr. T. invited a large party to pic-nic at his house; nearly all the inhabitants St. Helena contained (who delighted in those pleasurable amusements) were there. The house was situated near the celebrated "Friar's Valley," at a great distance from any of the dwellings of the people bidden to the fête, and the roads leading thereto must be seen to be conceived. No language, however romantic in its flight, could impress the reader with the varied dangers and difficulties with which they abounded, and the temptation must indeed have been great to induce a timid horsewoman to encounter them. The ride there, I recollect, was comparatively easy; the party was so delightful, and the weather so charming, that time was beguiled, and the hours unnumbered stole on, till the faint echo of the Ladder Hill gun stole on our startled senses; for it told the guests there assembled, that the ninth hour had struck, and without the counter-

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