Fisherman, who had been out during the preceding night had, on his return
in the morning, a pound of uncleaned fish allowed for his breakfast.
On the 17th instant, the 'Supply', captain Ball, sailed for Batavia.
We followed her with anxious eyes until she was no longer visible.
Truly did we say to her "In te omnis domus inclinata recumbit." We were,
however, consoled by reflecting, that every thing which zeal, fortitude,
and seamanship, could produce, was concentred in her commander.
Our bosoms consequently became less perturbed; and all our labour
and attention were turned on one object - the procuring of food. "Pride,
pomp, and circumstance of glorious war" were no more.
The distress of the lower classes for clothes was almost equal to their
other wants. The stores had been long exhausted, and winter was at hand.
Nothing more ludicrous can be conceived than the expedients of substituting,
shifting, and patching, which ingenuity devised, to eke out wretchedness,
and preserve the remains of decency. The superior dexterity of the women
was particularly conspicuous. Many a guard have I seen mount, in which
the number of soldiers without shoes exceeded that which had yet preserved
remnants of leather.
Nor was another part of our domestic economy less whimsical. If a lucky man,
who had knocked down a dinner with his gun, or caught a fish by angling
from the rocks, invited a neighbour to dine with him, the invitation
always ran, "bring your own bread." Even at the governor's table,
this custom was constantly observed.
