 On another were heaps of a black-looking substance, which, receiving
its hue from molasses, was properly termed sweet-cake; a wonderful favourite in
the coterie of Remarkable. A third was filled, to use the language of the
housekeeper, with caards of gingerbread; and the last held a plum-cake, so
called from the number of large raisins that were showing their black heads, in
a substance of a suspiciously similar colour. At each corner of the table, stood
saucers, filled with a thick fluid, of somewhat equivocal colour and
consistence, variegated with small dark lumps of a substance that resembled
nothing but itself, which Remarkable termed her sweet-meats. At the side of each
plate, which was placed bottom upwards, with its knife and fork most accurately
crossed above it, stood another, of smaller size, containing a motley-looking
pie, composed of triangular slices of apple, mince, pumpkin, craneberry, and
custard, so arranged as to form an entire whole. Decanters of brandy, rum, gin,
and wine, with sundry pitchers of cider, beer, and one hissing vessel of flip,
were put wherever an opening would admit of their introduction. Notwithstanding
the size of the tables, there was scarcely a spot where the rich damask could be
seen, so crowded were the dishes, with their associated bottles, plates and
saucers. The object seemed to be profusion, and it was obtained entirely at the
expense of order and elegance.
    All the guests, as well as the Judge himself, seemed perfectly familiar with
this description of fare, for each one commenced eating, with an appetite that
promised to do great honour to Remarkable's taste and skill. What rendered this
attention to the repast a little surprising, was the fact, that both the German
and Richard had been summoned from another table, to meet the Judge; but Major
Hartmann both ate and drank without any rule, when on his excursions; and Mr.
Jones invariably made it a point, to participate in the business in hand, let it
be what it would. The host seemed to think some apology necessary, for the
warmth he had betrayed on the subject of the firewood, and when the party were
comfortably seated, and engaged with their knives and forks, he observed -
    »The wastefulness of the settlers, with the noble trees of this country, is
shocking, Monsieur Le Quoi, as doubtless you have noticed. I have seen a man
fell a pine, when he has been in want of fencing-stuff, and roll his first cuts
into the gap
