British man of war; for he had been called on a secret mission to
Ireland, and wished to depart without notifying his intention to the
subaltern of the Propaganda. I was not included in the muster-roll of
this expedition; but anxious to lose no opportunity of seeing the world,
and desirous of beholding the Governor, who had shown his taste and
politeness by inviting me to his court, I contrived to nestle myself in
the carriage without the superior's knowledge, and followed his steps to
the very ante-room of the embassy. It was too late to send me back; for
I was instantly seized by a company of pretty young animals, the very
reverse in appearance of the preacher-monkeys of the Propaganda; they
all seemed to find in me a kindred soul: my master was ushered into the
cabinet, and I was left with my new acquaintance, who were called
"_attachés_," but whom I at once classed with the secretary-birds,[4]
while here and there, I thought, was mingled among them a specimen of
the booby, or Pelicanus Sula. Two of these mischievous creatures seemed
to delight in tormenting me from mere idleness and ennui, which I bore
for some time with great patience, as I saw the boobies pay them much
respect. One was called Lord Charles, and the other the Hon. Mr. Henry.
I learned these names with facility, and contrived to repeat them, as
they had been taught me, by the frequent iteration of one of the
boobies.

[3] "Rhodoginus mentions a parrot which could recite correctly the
whole of the Apostle's Creed."--Animal Biography, by the Rev.
W. Bingley.


[4] "The Dutch," says Le Vaillant, "give this bird the name of
Secretary, on account of the bunch of quills behind its
head."--Bingley, Animal Biography.