On
the contrary, they did all in their power to procure balm for me instead of
rue. But it would not answer.
They appointed a very civil officer to attend me to the ship. While we were
looking into some of the boxes to see that the specimens were properly
stowed, previous to their being conveyed to the king's depot, another
officer entered the cabin. He was an entire stranger to me, and seemed
wonderfully aware of his own consequence. Without preface or apology he
thrust his head over my shoulder and said we had no business to have opened
a single box without his permission. I answered they had been opened almost
every day since they had come on board, and that I considered there was no
harm in doing so.
He then left the cabin, and I said to myself as he went out, I suspect I
shall see that man again at Philippi. The boxes, ten in number, were
conveyed in safety from the ship to the depot. I then proceeded to the
Custom House. The necessary forms were gone through, and a proportionate
duty, according to circumstances, was paid.
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