Negroes: A little change for the better--"Shadows nursed by
night retire"--Respect to age--Filial affection--Generosity--
Their kindness to the poorer class of whites--Cleanliness--the
opposite vice--Behaviour at church--A black exhorter--Reading
and writing--An anecdote.
I am happy to find that at length I have got over the most
prominent vices of the negroes. I must say I have a great love
for my species, of whatever shade they may be, and I would at any
time rather have to paint their virtues than their vices. But,
alas for human nature! the latter are by far the most numerous,
or else "men's _evil_ manners live in _brass_, their _virtues_ we
write in _water_." To relieve ourselves for a little from the
dreadful deeds of blood which have so lately engaged our
attention, let us turn from the "shadows," and try to pick out of
the negro character something a little pleasanter--something
which, if we are forbidden to term virtues, we may, at least,
give them the appellation of good qualities.
In pursuance of our plan, I think we may mention filial
affection, and the respect they pay it. It is but seldom that a
child will behave ill to its parent; on the contrary, they
generally do for them whatever lies in their power. Age, too, is
particularly venerated; and the noisy little negroes at their
sport will stop while one of their old people are passing, with
"How d'ye, marm?" and "How d'ye, me pic'nee?" is the courteous
reply. Generosity may also be mentioned among the "lights" of
their character. When they see one of their own class in
distress, they generally relieve them to the extent of their
ability, and to their sorrows turn a listening ear. When any of
their friends or relatives die, they commonly have some little
offering to make to assist in defraying the expenses of the
funeral. Sometimes they will carry a bottle of wine or porter--
sometimes bread and cheese, or a few biscuits, &c.; but however
small the article is, it is always gratefully received, for this
feasting at a funeral is as necessary to their idea of etiquette
as giving the corpse a shroud or a coffin.
Nor do negroes always confine their generosity to their own
colour, of which I can give a striking example. It is true, it
does not much concern either "Antigua" or "the Antiguans," but I
have already apologized for wandering out of my path, and this
comes so _apropos_, that I cannot refrain from mentioning it. In
the course of my peregrinations through different parts of the
world, it has been my fate to meet with many deplorable objects--
the half-starved diseased negroes--the dirty emaciated North
American Indians, and their miserable squaws, (as they term their
wives,) suffering from the effects of the alcohol they purchase
from their white brethren at the expense of their domestic joys--
the ragged, quarrelsome "wild Irish," "the finest _pisantry_ in
the world," in their own estimation--the deformed and almost
naked beggars of England; but in all my travels I never saw so
truly wretched a class, taking them altogether, as the poor white
inhabitants of Barbados. I never shall forget the appearance they
presented to my eyes upon my first visit to "Little England," as
the Barbadians in their pride call their pleasant little island.
From the intense heat of the sun, and their constant exposure to
its rays, their complexions are changed from a natural white to a
fiery red. The women allow their long hair to float all down
their backs, and be blown about by every zephyr. This may sound
very pretty in poetry, but it is anything but pretty in _real
life_, particularly when we take into consideration the colour
and state of these locks; the fervent kisses of the "great
luminary" has changed them into the appearance of dirty flax,
while their disordered and matted condition brings the idea
forcibly to your mind, that they have seldom, if ever, undergone
the ordeal of "brush and comb." With respect to their persons,
they are, generally, almost in a state of nudity, or their dress
is put on in such a manner that it leaves you with that
impression; no shoes or stockings envelope their feet, while
their meagre, attenuated forms altogether produce an effect which
no pen can accurately describe.
The men look even worse than the women, for to their squalid
appearance they add the air of a "Regent-street lounger." Their
castors stand in great want of "Rowland's Macassar," as well as
Dr. Winn's "true anticardiam," which engages to make _old_
articles look like _new_; the original size has gradually
diminished until it is almost insufficient to cover their
pericranium, while the form beats in distortion those to be daily
seen in the shop-windows of "Lloyd." This _elegant_ article of
dress is placed upon _one side_ of the head, while on the other
protrudes a huge mass of disordered hair. With regard to the
other articles of clothing, they bear anything but the marks of
taste, their coats being generally "out at elbows," and partly
devoid of collars, their trousers reaching about half down their
legs, and the use of shoes and stockings dispensed with; a short
stick denominated a "two _foot_ two" swings from their hands, and
then the costume is complete. Their houses are as dirty as their
persons, and from their incurable habits of idleness, starvation
is often their fate. To these poor unfortunates, the Barbadian
negroes are known to step forth as their guardian angels; they
will work for them, feed them, clothe them, and often shelter
them from the weather, and all this is done without the slightest
wish or prospect of receiving remuneration; their generosity in
some instances knows no bounds, and they will attend to their
every want with the kindness and affection of a parent. Although
we have no such miserable objects in Antigua, still I am
persuaded that, were it the case, the negroes of this island
would not be behind their Barbadian brethren in these acts of
charity; for whenever any European sailors get out of employ, and
wander about the streets in a state of misery, (although brought
on by their own misdemeanour in most instances,) the Antiguan
negroes extend to them their bounty, taking them to their houses
and giving them food, and not unfrequently small sums of money.
Next to generosity, cleanliness (in most instances) may be ranked
among their good qualities. Those who have any regard to
appearance make frequent use of water, which, in this climate, is
particularly conducive to good health; and they are careful to
make their children follow their example in this particular. In
their houses they are also very cleanly, and their culinary
articles are kept with the greatest care. They are very fond of
sending presents of eatables to their acquaintance, (such as
portions of their breakfast or dinner, &c., particularly
house-servants;) and when this is the case, they always pay some
regard to appearance. A clean white towel is wrapt round it,
whatever the viands may be; and if soup forms a part, it is sure
to be sent in a smart-coloured cup, with a cover. Sundays are the
principal days on which such presents are sent; and an observer
may often catch the little messengers peeping into the utensil
which contains the savoury mess, or tasting it, by inserting one
or more of their fingers, at the hazard of receiving a flogging,
should the tidings reach the donor's ears.
It must, however, be allowed, that all negroes are not celebrated
for their purity of habits; on the contrary, there are many
exceptions among the indolent, and these present an appearance
painful to behold. Among the men, all the money they can procure
is spent upon that plague of the West Indies, "new rum;"
consequently, what they wear is of no importance to them. They
are, indeed, in a state bordering upon nakedness; and the filthy
manner in which they keep their persons renders them disgusting
in the extreme. A small insect, which is called a _chegoe_, or,
as the negroes express it, "jigger," gets into their feet; and if
not extracted in time, makes its nest and breeds in the flesh.
The dirty and indolent beings I am now describing allow these
insects to breed so fast, and remain until they attain to such a
size, that it is impossible for them to be taken out; and the
consequence is, they feed upon the flesh, until the feet are in
such a state, that they are often obliged to suffer amputation as
far as the knee. Again--the dirt which they allow to remain upon
them for so long a time, produces various horrible complaints,
which, in the end, also call for the knife of the surgeon. This
latter class of persons meet with the abhorrence of all their
tribe, who never fail to express their contempt whenever they
meet; and was it not for the humane conduct of the Rev. R.
Holberton, (whose name must often occur in "Antigua and the
Antiguans,") by seeking them out, and getting them admitted into
the lazaretto, (which owes its origin to his exertions,) many
must expire in the open roads.
But to return to the good qualities of the negroes. Another thing
worthy of remark is, the quiet and decorous manner in which they
behave in a place of worship. Upon my first arrival in this
country, I was particularly pleased with the conduct of the black
congregation at the episcopal church. Not the least noise was to
be heard--only the voice of the preacher, and the deep, and
apparently heartfelt responses of the people; and during the
sermon, the dropping of a pin upon the floor could have been
heard, so silent and motionless were they. At particular parts of
the service, all were kneeling, with the _appearance_ of the
deepest humility. Nearly all the negroes belong to one sect or
the other, and keep the outward ordinances of religion with
exactness. They all talk of the goodness of God, of their own
unworthiness, and their hopes of salvation, &c.; but, alas! among
many of them, these are words _only_, as far as their general
conduct leads us to conclude. There are others, however, who
appear to have benefited by the instructions of their pastors,
conducting themselves in a praiseworthy manner, thus giving
encouragement to the missionaries,[27] who must feel richly
rewarded for their exertions in behalf of this benighted class,
and for being made, under the hand of the Almighty, the honoured
instruments of snatching them as so many "brands from the
burning."
Among the higher order of negroes who have joined respective
sects are many who at times officiate as _parsons_ when those of
the "cloth" are absent. They bury the dead, (that is, when such
event takes place in the country,) read prayers to the sick, or
pray extemporaneously, (which is most frequent,) and sometimes
preach in the country chapels. I have heard an anecdote related
of one of these kind of parsons, who used to be very fond of
giving an oration at the grave; or, to shew forth his skill in
reading to the astonished multitude, favoured them with a portion
from some of his favourite authors. On one occasion, when a
minister was about to inter a friend of this black preacher, he
asked permission to read an exhortation after the funeral service
was performed. This request was immediately granted; and,
accordingly, he proceeded to his house, which was near the place
of burial, for his books. It took him some time to collect them
together, so extensive was his library; at length this important
exploit was effected, and he left his house, armed with folios,
quartos, and octavos, and proceeded to the grave. To his great
surprise, upon his arrival, he found the funeral over, the
minister gone, and the mourners dispersed; so, like poor Dominie
Sampson, he had to shoulder his volumes and return also.
Perhaps it may afford matter of surprise to some of my readers to
hear that the negroes of former days could read or write; but
although slave-owners in general opposed the system of opening
the book of knowledge to their slaves, it is to the honour of
Antigua that she has been the most forward in pursuing a contrary
line of conduct, and allowing her negroes the privilege of being
taught those necessary qualifications. I am again referring to
those dark days of slavery when the negroes were looked upon as
little better than cattle; but in this part of my subject, I
cannot help remarking what a difference a few years has made with
regard to the instruction of the blacks. In former days, as above
alluded to, the negroes were purposely kept in ignorance both of
spiritual and worldly knowledge; all attempts to inform them were
decidedly against the wishes of the proprietors, (I am now
speaking of the West Indies generally,) who thought it one step
towards insurrection. From this state of darkness and bad policy
Antigua was about the first to awake; her efforts were at first
but very slow, and her plans but half formed. But now the case is
very different: schools abound in all parts of the island, both
for young people and adults; there is not a negro who cannot
obtain instruction if he wishes, and among the young there are
none but the very worthless who cannot read. In the statistical
part of this work will be found the number of schools, what sects
they belong to, and also the number of children; but besides
these, there are a great many private schools where the little
black boys and girls who attend are taught reading, writing, and
arithmetic. The Wesleyans were the first who instituted these
schools; they were followed by the Moravians; and upon the
appointment of a bishop to this diocese, the church followed
their example.
Among the children who are instructed in these various schools,
many of them can read fluently, write a good hand, and cast up an
account with correctness; but with regard to those who gained
their learning at an earlier date, very much cannot be said for
their chirography. I have seen some of their writing, however,
which is very passable, while others, again, presented the
appearance of complete hieroglyphics, and which I should as soon
think of interpreting as the characters on the tomb of "Cheops,"
or a Chinese manuscript. An anecdote is related of a person whose
name was Mac Namara; he was considered a superior kind of man for
his line, but was not much of a penman, his writing being chiefly
confined to the signing his own name. One day, his signature was
required in some haste, and taking the pen in hand, he commenced
"Macnamamamama," till at length, turning to some person who stood
near him, "Brother," says he, "tell me when me done; here, don't
you think it looks long enough?." It was his custom, it appears,
when signing his name, to look more to the _length_ than the
spelling, but being rather flurried on this day, he exceeded his
usual limit.
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[27] I include under this term the very zealous and worthy
preachers of the Wesleyan sect, and the kind-hearted Moravians,
as well as the established clergy.