Negroes: Their amusements--Natural ear for music--Singing--
Dancing--Subscription routs--Christmas balls--The ball-room
decorations--Ball dresses--Gentlemen's appearance--Ladies'--
Politeness--Supper, and the supper-table--The morning after a
ball--Cards of invitation--The "good night."
We have now to mention the amusements of the negroes, and their
conduct in their hours of recreation. The blacks have a
remarkable ear for music, and consequently are particularly fond
of singing. Indeed, they can hardly do anything without "forming
their voice to melody." The sailors, when heaving an anchor, have
a peculiar song which they sing in chorus, pulling the cable at
the same time. When moving their houses, (which it is customary
to do in this part of the world,[28]) another ditty is requisite;
and even if you get them to lift any article which obliges them
to use a little exertion, a song must accompany the action. Most
of these songs are extempore, and are sung to some favourite
tune, the poetry being generally a species of parody, or else a
ludicrous composition upon some person who may have attracted
their attention, either by a peculiarity in dress or manners; and
it is surprising how soon the whole tribe learn it. Some negroes
have a clear, sweet, and powerful voice, while others again
resemble the screech of a pair of bagpipes, or give the idea of a
parrot warbling an Italian air. The black boys are nearly all
good whistlers, and some of them will go through, with
correctness, many of our best airs, with variations. They are
also great psalm-singers, the streets often resounding with this
peculiar species of harmony.
Next to singing, their favourite pastime is, to "trip the light
fantastic toe," and at this sport they are indefatigable. These
dancing parties are differently conducted; at some are danced
quadrilles! (I am not aware if the gallopades and Mazurka have
found their way into these _coteries_ at present, but as all
negroes are great sticklers for fashion, I suppose they have,) at
others only country dances and reels are introduced; while the
Africans are content with their own native dance, and their music
of the _Bangoe_ and _Tum-tum_. Christmas is the principal season
for these assemblies, although there are subscription balls held
once or twice a week in some of the small houses at the back of
the town. These meetings may be very agreeable to the negroes,
but they are anything but agreeable to those unfortunates who may
chance to inhabit houses in the vicinity. Little or no sleep will
visit their eyes upon those nights dedicated to gay Terpsichore,
and they may be led to misquote Shakspeare, and say, "_Dancing_
murders sleep." The music generally consists of a squeaking
fiddle, a tamborine, (upon which they have a peculiar way of
performing,) and a triangle, played without any regard to time or
melody. The worst characters frequent these houses, and the
refreshments are always levied by contributions upon the public.
Some of the Christmas balls (or as it is the fashion now to term
them, "quadrille parties") are, however, conducted upon a very
grand scale. The ball-room is decorated with branches of the
cocoa-nut, interspersed with the many beautiful flowers which, in
these sunny climes, grow in such wild profusion, while boughs of
the Pimento (or "Christmas bush," as it is generally called in
this country) and the orange tree, loaded with its tempting
fruit, impart a pleasing fragrance throughout the apartment.
Around the walls, brackets of deal are nailed to support the
innumerable tapers which serve to light up this "temple of
mirth," and throw a radiance upon the countenances of the ebon
beaux and belles. The orchestra generally occupies one end of the
apartment; and the company is arranged, in two lines, the ladies
upon one side, and the gentlemen upon the other. The glittering
throng at "Almacks" cannot outvie in dress with the _glittering
throng_ at an Antiguan negro ball. Fashion exerts her power, and
seldom finds more devoted votaries than among these dark damsels
and their loving swains.
The dress of the gentlemen consists of a blue, brown, or purple
coat, (not _quite_ equal in make to one of Stultz,) with velvet
collar, and shining brass buttons; pantaloons, which would rival
in whiteness the snows of great St. Bernard; a many coloured
vest, a very smart cravat, silk stockings, and well-polished
pumps or fancy boots, with tassels, &c., in the most approved
fashion. In the folds of the cravat are deposited one or two
brooches, (not quite equalling in splendour and dimensions the
celebrated "brooch of Lorn," but no doubt thought by the wearers
to be very tasteful;) a glittering brass chain, which after
performing countless figures and evolutions around the neck, is
deposited with its accompanying quizzing-glass (set in the same
_precious_ metal) in the waistcoat pocket; sundry brass rings
upon the fingers; a box to contain that fashionable dust, called
by mortals--snuff, ornamented with a _correct_ likeness of "Her
Majesty Queen Victoria," or "Prince Albert," with cheeks of the
colour of red ochre, and eyes "like two full moons;" these,
together with a voluminous silk handkerchief, plentifully
besprinkled with _new rum_, sold under the approved name of "_Eau
de Cologne_," and then the costume is complete.
Smart as these beaux are, the fair sex make a much greater
display. Their favourite colours are pink, blue, and bright
yellow, and of these their dresses are generally composed; but
the manner in which these several shades are arranged defies all
description. For example--a dress of white gauze or net, over a
yellow slip, is profusely decorated with quillings of blue
ribbon, interspersed with red flowers; or perhaps a blue dress is
ornamented with green trimmings. Of course these dresses are made
in the height of the fashion, very long skirts with flounces, and
tight sleeves, with lace ruffles, and streamers of varied tints,
while the long kid or lace gloves, are drawn up the arm to the
exact point at which such articles are worn. Among the bijouterie
displayed upon these _gala_ nights, may be distinguished a
diversity of brass bracelets, two or three encircling the same
arm; numberless rings, in which the "lively diamond," the ruby's
"deepening glow," the sapphire's "solid ether," the "purple
amethyst," the yellow topaz, and the green emerald, are
wonderfully imitated in coloured _glass_; these _choice gems_ are
liberally bestowed upon every finger, and I am not quite sure
that the _thumb_ is exempted. Splendid brass chains also encircle
their (not) _swan-like_ necks, long pendants gleam from their
ears, and very pink silk stockings, with red, blue, or yellow
shoes, are called in, to astonish with their brilliancy of hue,
the eyes of their attendant youths. But notwithstanding all this
finery, it is upon the adornment of their heads that these ladies
lavish the most time and pains. This may surprise some, when they
consider how devoid the negroes are of that great natural
ornament which Rowland, by the aid of his incomparable
"Macassar," so kindly and bountifully offers to dispense; but
still it is no less true, for what Dame Nature denies, art
bestows in the shape of a false set of curls, or a complete
_toupée_. These ringlets are cleverly fastened on by bands of
different coloured cotton-velvet, and the back of the head is
covered with wreaths of flowers and bunches of ribbons. Those
whose natural hair is long enough, wear it in what they term
"French curls;" but they never fail to have a sufficient quantity
of flowers intermixed with them.
The gentlemen are particularly polite to the ladies, attending to
their little wants with the greatest assiduity, and watching
their every movement, to anticipate, if possible, their wishes.
The ladies are also quite graceful in their manners, and forget
not to practise those pretty little airs of affectation which
some of their white sisters so ably perform.
When the tuning of instruments is over, and the musicians, by
stamping their feet and drawing up their persons to their full
height, give notice that they are ready, and have full confidence
in their own powers of drawing from wood and catgut "a concord of
sweet sounds," the ball commences. A gentleman advances with
smirk and bow--"Oh, Miss, will you dance wid me?" "I'se must be
excuse, Mr. Charles Edward, 'cause I'se got to dance wid Mr.
Albert" "Oh, Miss, den me be too late." Another lady is therefore
sought and won--"Wid much pleasure, Mr. Charles Edward." At the
end of the set, refreshments are handed about, and again the
gentlemen vie with each other in shewing forth their gallantry--
"Miss, will you hab a glass of drink?" "I'se feel much obliged to
you, sir, if you please." The "drink" is composed of ginger,
water, molasses, and "Christmas bush," drank in a fermented
state.
While the dancing is going on in one room, another apartment,
(or, if the house contains not such a desideratum,) a
neighbouring domicile is being prepared for the supper. Here,
again, their taste is shewn in the arrangement of the flowers &c.
with which the table is decorated, and in the disposal of the
many viands which are prepared for the occasion. They generally
employ a gentleman's servant to superintend, so that this is
often performed in the first style. Among the multitudinous
supply of eatables may be found baked mutton, legs of pork,
turkeys, ducks, fowls, and guinea-birds; hams, tongues,
salt-beef, and cheese; cakes, tarts, and fruits, flanked by no
inconsiderable quantities of yams, sweet potatoes, _Irish_
potatoes, (as the Creoles always term them, whether they come
from England, Ireland, Scotland, France, or America,) boiled
rice, and bread. Nor must it be supposed these _solids_ want the
accompaniment of liquids--rum, brandy, wines, and brown stout,
are as liberally provided, and as liberally partaken of.
Perhaps it may be asked, how do the negroes obtain these
different articles specified,--where find the _cash_ to meet
these heavy demands? In the first place, it must be taken into
consideration, that nearly all the negroes who reside in the
country, upon the different estates, keep a great deal of stock;
they have their patch of ground, in which they raise vegetables;
and living as they do nearly all the rest of the year upon less
expensive dishes, they have money enough by them to procure the
above luxuries. Then again, it must be remarked, that it is not
_one_ family which gives these routs, but almost in every
instance it is a joint concern. The company pay a proportion, by
the gentlemen procuring tickets to admit themselves and ladies
for half-a-dollar, about 2s. 3d. sterling, which of itself
affords sufficient means to provide all those sumptuous viands
and costly liquids with which they regale themselves when
fatigued with dancing. The competition for opening the ball is
generally very great, and from one to five dollars is demanded
for that honour; but such has been the contest at times that a
doubloon, or 3l. 4s. sterling, has been offered for obtaining the
enviable post; and this of course further adds to their
resources.
When these grand balls are held in the country, the servants feel
no reluctance in riding their masters' horses to and from the
place of entertainment; and consequently it is nothing uncommon
for great complaints to be made the next morning by different
gentlemen, when they visit their stables. "Why, Thomas, what's
the matter with this horse? how jaded he looks," says the gent,
addressing his groom; "I hope it's not ill!" "Me no no, massa; me
quite sick meself, dat de trute," replies one of the _beaux_ of
the preceding night. "And this one," continues his master, "his
legs are quite swollen, and he's all over mud; I hope you have
not been riding them last night, sirrah! I know you are full of
tricks!" "Eh, eh! massa, me no say, me quite sick; war for me go
ride de poor dumb brute for, dat's all?"
While this dialogue passes in the stable between the injured
master and his faulty groom, respecting the state of "de poor
dumb brute," who, had he the power of speech, could, like
Hamlet's ghost, "a tale unfold," a similar conversation takes
place in the house between the mistress and her confidential(!)
domestic. "Celestina, what is the matter with you this morning?
you don't seem to know what you are doing,--are you ill?" "No,
ma'am." "Then what do you look so heavy and dull about?" "Me no
able to sleep last night, missis," is the answer of the fatigued
belle.
When the family meet around the breakfast table, "My dear," says
the lady, addressing her _cara sposa_, "do you know where John
(the butler) is gone?" "No, my dear," returns her better half,
sipping his mocha; "is he not in the house?" "No; he has not been
seen since last night." "Very strange," rejoins the gentleman. "I
must make inquiries about it as soon as I have looked over the
'Weekly Register;' the fellow gets too bad." At this moment the
door opens, and John enters, his head tied up in a handkerchief
and a quantity of plantain leaves;[29] his countenance, deprived
of its naturally deep black, displays a sickly-looking hue; his
heavy blood-shot eyes, turning from one member of the family to
the other, as if to inquire what they had been saying about him,
and presenting altogether a most rueful appearance. "Why, John,"
cries his master, elevating his eyebrows, and wiping his
spectacles, to be certain it is really the lost butler,--"Why,
John, where have you been, and what have you been doing with
yourself?" "Quite sick, massa," returns poor John, in a very
doleful tone; "hab feber all last night, neber sleep 'tall a
'tall; head really hurt me; 'bleive me go get _hager_," &c. The
real fact of the case, John was one of the party the night
before, who had paid their devoirs too zealously to the "rosy
god," "jolly Bacchus," and the consequence was, headache and all
its accompanying et-ceteras, without the benefit of "soda water"
or "Morison's pills of health."
When these "grand balls" are in contemplation, great is the
flurry and fluster of the conductors; cards of invitation are
issued about eight or ten days before; glasses, lamps, dishes,
&c., are borrowed from managers or overseers upon the estate
where the rout is given, or if in town, from any "buckra" who
they may live with; flowers are begged, or gardens robbed; and
many other necessary deeds achieved. I have several of these
"cards of invite" lying before me, and for the edification of my
readers, I will transcribe one or two of them _verbatim_:--"Mr.
James Hammilton Compliments to Mr. James, and invite him to a
Quadrille party on Tuesday next week, with lady;" addressed, "Mr.
James Hammilton to Mr. James, Spring Gardens." This is written
upon paper, which had once been white, but, alas! too many
touches have tarnished its fair character. The next which comes
to hand is traced upon that particular kind of green paper which
we commonly see wrapped round quills in the stationers' shop
windows, in far-famed London, and is expressed as follows:--"Mr.
James will be happy of Mr. Brown and Lady Company on Saturday the
2nd Quarter of the Moon. Price 4s. 6d. Lower Form."[30] The
direction to this last-named note is, I think, very unique--
"Mr. Brown,
"Town!"
meaning, of course, that the gentleman resided in St. John's, the
capital of Antigua.
Having given two specimens of their written invitations, perhaps
some of my readers may call out, "Enough!" but there is still one
before me, which looks so very dashing that I cannot pass it by
with any propriety. It is written upon a _red_ card, (placed in a
_blue_ envelope,) in the following manner:--
"Mr. Edward and Sam will happy of Mr. Hues Company on the 25th
instant, &c. Quadrilles in Bishopsgate Street.
"G. Priddeys,
"G. Silises. Stewards.
(Direction) "Mr. Hues, Esq."
The ball generally breaks up between four and five, and then
there is great cloaking-up with the ladies, the gentlemen lending
all the assistance. "'Tanky, Mr. _Theopolus_, you're bery kind,
I'se sure." "Miss, anything dat _lays_ in my power for a lady
like you." "Oh, sir! you're very purlite." "Miss Eleanora, does
dis shawl 'blongs to you?" "I'se 'bleive it do, Mr. Frederick."
"Well, I do declare, I thought so, 'cause it's handsome, like its
owner," &c. &c. The _Good nights_ are then repeated, and the
ladies move off, accompanied by their _beaux_, and the late gay
ball-room is left to the smell of expiring tallow-candles, and
lamp-oil; drooping flowers, and broken bottles; sleeping
musicians, and half-starved dogs, who creep in with the hopes of
picking up a stray bone or two; until the bright sun arises, and
bids the inmates bestir themselves to clear away the relics of
their midnight orgies.
------
[28] For mode of moving houses, see page 132.
[29] A negro's specific for the head-ache.
[30] I am not quite certain what is meant by this expression; but
suppose it relates to the arrangement of the forms, or benches.