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352
OFFICIAL VISIT
[CH. XXIV.
were at work on the premises:—it had arrived at its right destination, and I was glad to get rid of it upon so plausible a pretext.
Previously to my quitting the capital, I had been recommended by Don José de Valle to take with me specimens of the different woods of the country: I had accordingly ordered to be made a despatch box inlaid with all these several specimens, which amounted to thirty-seven; but the cabinet-maker was engaged in building a new pulpit, and could not execute my wishes within the time of my departure:—it was the recollection of that disappointment which had resolved me to meddle with this wholesale article in the cabinet line.
