, 1891-08-29
"ARGUS" ON
(DemerGrG Argosy.)

" Wv &AsHVo3
The cloud that was seen to enshrOud the
brow of the German Emperor during the
latter days of his visit to England, could
not be accounted for by his grandmother,
his wife, his unc les, Or his auntS, no, nor
even by the newSpaperreporter and the most
aStute diplomats in Europe, for there was
nothing on the political horizon to warrant
it; but the cloud was there. The cause is
now a state secret, in my possession, and
when / conide it TO you, your kindly heart
will sympathise with all who were concerns
ed in the disaster. When the visit to e g.
land was definitely settled it was arranged
that a distinguished citizen OF Dpmerara,
whose name | shall mott need nOt-men-
ton here, should visit England at the same
time and take with him for the EmperOr'S
own use a couple of boxes of real Havana
cigars such as are not to be had in England,
and only in the Georgetown Club. The
voyage was prosperous, the citizen and The
cigars reached Plymouth, the latter safely
~(alas! not safely wrapped in a greatjcoat,
which was thrown with studied careless
ness over the citizens arm ~ he was walk
ing with conscious innocence out Of the
door of the Custom House. Suddenly ii
myrmidon of the law, a villain called u
Custom House Officer, perceiving the inter
OOAhAS T. NASO va OuO - w AOfNA1 . CttAhCNA
upon the citizen to stand and deliver; and
disregarding the citizens prOtestatlonS that
the cigars were for the Emperor, and that
German Emperors never paid duty on
cigars, he cOniScated the lot, as well as the
great coat, and then imposed a fine which
the citizen had to pay to prevent his body
being confscated. This is what comes of q
true British citizen trying to do the duty.
Demerara men seem to be unfortunate in
their efforts to act uprightly in matters of
import duty. Before the duty was taken
off silver, a well known GuianeSe landed at
Plymouth with about $500 worth of silver
plate, which in the hurry of packing he had
placed here and there amongst his luggage al
waysby chance at the bottom of each package.
A sneaky oficerchanclng upon some spoons
in one package had the heart to search farth-
er until ALL the Demerara mans mistake was
disclosed. The annoying part Of it was
that the Custom House people refused to
believe that the silver had quite slipt his
memory. They kept all the silver and fined
him a couple of hundred pounds,
Instances like these bring diScredit upon
the colony. They would lead people to be.
lieve that we don't know how to smuggle
with success. 1t is unpleasant TO have such
a reputation for careleSsness.
In connection with smuggling, I heard an
Ex-Governor of Barbados, two years ago,
describe how. he came to lun the cutter and
what he thought of the business. At the
time it happened he was a >taf official in one
of the islands, and as. he was going straight
to owning Street wbenhe reached Eng.
land he was asked by a brother official if he
would tafe q small parcel to Jones of the
ColOniat Ofice-a few flower roots. no dnfv
to pay. AT Plymouth the parcel was chat.
lengcd, but is innocent contents were men.
toned and it, Was passed without tIemur
Mex t day it was safely delivered In Down.
ing street to Jones, who. opening il. said