My first recollection of Christmas is of wearing a pink sash and a necklace of coral beads, and of being placed to look through a window […]

This Christmas gathering was held at the Swan Inn, which at that time existed at the corner of Carter and Upper Hill Streets, the proprietor of which was a Mr. McIntyre who, I believe, had in some capacity once been connected with the sea. I have just faint recollections of this visit, but it has always been linked with something rather awesome and mysterious. When grown up I mentioned this impression to my mother, telling her this feeling seemed to be connected in some manner with pianos, and I wondered if it was because of it being the first time I had ever seen or heard this instrument. My mother was able to tell me that during this evening a clever pianist entertained the company with a selection of solos. He was, however, a dwarf. Although too young at the time to understand this (to me) phenomenon, I was yet aware of something unusual.