Society, and is about to be carried into effect "immediately. These are all the applications I "have ever heard of.

"No registry of punishments has ever been kept

on the estate; the occurrence of crime has been

very rare, consequently few punishments have been "inflicted; and those being adapted to the offences, "have always been light and trifling. Nothing "atrocious has ever been committed but once since

66

my administration of the affairs, when a man belonging to the estates broke into the public treasury, with a view to robbing the chest. He was detected, apprehended, and sent to prison, and was prosecuted for a burglary; but as the charge "could not be substantiated according to law, he "was acquitted. The usual offences are petty thefts, "committed either on the estates or each other, by

stealing pigs, goats, poultry, clothes, &c.; quarrel"ling, and sometimes fighting with each other; in"solence to the white servants or overseers, neglect "of business, and other acts of insubordination, which "are generally punished by confinement in a wholesome, comfortable, and well ventilated room, for one, two, or more days, or weeks, according to "the nature of the offence. The whip is seldom or "never used as an instrument of punishment on these "occasions.

"A principal slave belonging to the estate is ap"pointed to superintend the field work, and is called "the driver, or field overseer. He does not carry a whip into the field, though I cannot say its use

"has been entirely abolished. It has been about "three years since I ordered it to be laid aside, and "the business for a time appeared to go on perfectly "well; but the driver and manager have both in"formed me lately, that the gang was not long "since, so idle and inattentive, and so indifferent to every thing that was said to them, that the driver "was compelled to take it up again for a short time. "It is now discontinued, and idleness, insolence, and "insubordination (the common offences in the field),

are punished by the driver's sending the offender "from the field, to be put into confinement, and reporting it to the manager as soon as he comes "home himself at noon, or at night on the same day; and I trust that the time is not very distant, "when we shall find that the use of the whip in "the field may be dispensed with altogether.

"Offences of any consequence are always brought "before the manager, for his investigation, who also "hears and investigates the complaint of every "slave who thinks he has been injured or ill-treated

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66

by the driver; and they may also prefer their com

plaints to the attorney: in addition to which, they "now have an appeal to the protector of slaves, for "all abuses and cruelties, should any such exist, 66 or be ever exercised towards them.

"You have no doubt received the fullest informa"tion respecting the school, and plan of religious "instruction pursued on these estates, from the chap"lains who have resided on them. Every child on "the estate, from six to ten years of age, attends the

daily school, agreeably to the instructions of the Society; (but in no instance are they removed too young, many remaining until they are fourteen years old;) and after that period, they are taken "into the Sunday school, and are carefully instructed " in the knowledge of religious duties and Christian principles. They are also compelled to attend the

chapel on Sundays, when a large portion of the "adult and older slaves also assemble, and where "Divine service is performed twice a day on Sun'days, with a lecture by the chaplain at each ser"vice: and the Society have been most fortunate "in the appointment of persons to fulfil these "duties, which have been performed by their late "and present chaplain with an uncommon degree of "zeal and assiduity.

"I am not aware of any thing more that it would "be important for me communicate to you. My "observations are confined to the system pursued on "the Codrington Estates, where the continued and regular increase of the population is an evident proof of the welfare of the slaves, and of the "benefit of these regulations.

"If I should, however, have omitted any thing "which may appear to you desirable to be known, I "shall have much pleasure in giving you any fur"ther information on the subject.

"I remain, Reverend Sir, with much respect,

"Your very faithful and obedient Servant,

"The Reverend ANTHONY HAMILTON."

"F. CLARKE.'

DIALOGUE BETWEEN AUTHOR AND READER.

Reader. "When will you have completed these "detestable papers? I vow it gives me the blue"devils to read them.

Besides, 'tis afternoon ;-the clock strikes one :

"The lunch is on the table"

Author.

"I have done."

CHAPTER XVII.

EATING AND DRINKING.

"Their tables are always crowded with luxurious viands, "and their wines are of the best quality."

EVERY man's life has its vicissitudes; and Fortune is as fickle among the tropic isles as in any other quarter of the globe. There is no certainty in existence. Yesterday I promised Phillipson that I would attend his marriage on Saturday with the fair daughter of our mutual friend, Mr. Merrrythought; and to-day, by an unforeseen chance, I find myself compelled to embark on Friday for the island of St. Vincent. I have been four months in Barbados, and I hoped to have been four more; but il faut laisser aller les choses, and it is of no use to complain.

During my stay in this island I have been as happy as kindness, good fellowship, and hospitality could make me. I have eaten of the best soup, and drunk of the best wines: I have dined with the wealthiest, and danced with the fairest creoles. I have been at twelve balls; I have witnessed three fires, and seen four reviews; I have learnt how to make sugar, and how to drink sangaree. I have been much undeceived in my notions respecting the happiness and misery of the slaves: nevertheless the veil of error