of, I think we may fairly average his profits at five shillings, which would amount to thirteen pounds per annum; as much as British servants usually receive. But when I assert that the greater number of slaves can earn five shillings, I am by no means saying that they do. There is a vast difference between can and do, and nobody appears to understand that difference more than Monsieur le Noir.

Those who have the power of earning frequently neglect it, and the cursed spirit of slavery leaves too many contented with what they deem sufficient for nature, without spurring them to exert themselves to gain an overplus. These, from natural idleness, only cultivate sufficient ground to yield them as much fruit, and as many vegetables as they require for their own consumption; consequently, they have none to sell. Others, however, are more enterprising, and strive to make as much as they can, frequently laying by, but oftener spending their earnings.

Slaves on the estates in the vicinity of the towns have often greater advantages than their fellows in the country, because they are enabled, after their daily work, to bring bundles of grass into town, and to sell it to the different persons who keep horses. As Guinea grass is an indispensable article they are always certain of a sale, and they may earn a great deal by it.

I was regularly supplied with three bundles per night by the same man during a period of six months.

I

gave him a bitt a bundle, which made it about one shilling a night, so that in the six months I must have paid him rather more than ten pounds sterling ;

and this was independent of the sale of his sugar, sling, stock, and provisions, which he brought to town every week, and by which he must have earned something considerable.

I have now said enough to show that many slaves can, and that some do, make wherewith to purchase a host of comforts; and I will wind up my statement with the assertion that I have known several negroes who had accumulated large sums of money, more than enough to purchase their emancipation, but that as they saw no necessity for changing their condition, and were very well contented with a state of slavery, they preferred remaining in that state and allowing their money to increase.

But to return from my long digression, the food of slaves on estates usually consists of salted provisions, which are sent out from England, with their own mixture of vegetables, of which there is an immense variety.

Yams, taniers, plantains, okros, and sweet potatoes, &c. are really fine sustenance when eaten with salt codfish, herrings, or pork, all of which the slaves prefer to fresh meat: if they did not they might consume their pigs and poultry, but they often exchange these for salt provisions.

They render their meals palatable with Cayenne; and their favorite messes are the pepper-pot and caliloo. They are fond of rum; and they drink great quantities of cane juice, which is very fattening.

It is certain that they prefer their own mode of living to that of the Europeans. Their diet is whole

some, and suited to a warm climate. They get as much, nay more, than they can eat, and with that they are perfectly satisfied.

There are, however, some among them who like to have a few luxuries in their huts; whether for their friends or for their own consumption I know not, but this I know, that the driver of the great gang on

estate, took me into his house, and offered me

a glass of wine, and a bit of plum cake.

CHAPTER XLIX.

SLAVES-DAYS OF JUBILEE.

Every passion acts upon them with strange intensity: their anger is sudden and furious; their mirth clamorous and excessive; their curiosity audacious, and their love the sheer demand for gratification of an ardent animal desire."

Coleridge.

"While on the subject of Christmas I may remark, that the whole of the negroes in Jamaica have three, and some of them four days allowed for their amusements." Barclay.

I SAID I would explain the slaves themselves, perhaps I could not have undertaken a more difficult task. Eccentric in their habits, and unaccountable in their dispositions, it requires much study and observation of their character to be able to form one's self, much less to convey to others, a good idea of them.

I cannot describe them as a race possessing qualities which may be applied generally; for, indeed, there is so much variety among them that it is difficult to find any six or eight that can be said to resemble each other in any one particular point.

We all know that as great differences exist between the minds and dispositions of men as between their stature, their features, and their general appearance; but we know also that every race of people has its peculiar characteristic. The Spaniards are proud

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and haughty; the Dutch obstinate and phlegmatic; the Italians polite and plein de ruse; the French lively and volatile; the Irish warm and impetuous; the Scotch cool and persevering; while the English, to include multum in parvo, are all John Bulls; yet I can find no characteristic for the negroes, nothing that will apply to all, unless it be the undisputed possession of flat noses, thick lips, a skull that might well resist a blow from the iron hammer of a London blacksmith, and the patronage of a certain invisible little devil, who is always about their persons, contriving, with most praiseworthy perseverance, to instigate them, whenever an opportunity offers, to put their hands to mischief. I will, therefore, content myself by stating the qualities which are possessed by some, and the passions which actuate others; and I will endeavour to illustrate points in the characters of a few by an original anecdote, or the occasional relation of an occurrence of which I may have been a personal witness.

I know not what prompts me to begin with one of their worst traits, perhaps it is that this trait may be more generally applied than many others; a peculiar kind of dishonesty, which has tempted nearly all those with whom I have had the honor to be acquainted, to practise petty larcenies, and to rob as many trifles as they thought they might steal with good chance of concealment and little hazard of nishment.

pu

Many of the slaves have an idea, which it is difficult to convince them is a false one, that there is