Negroes: Exterior appearance--Difference of expression--White
negroes (Albinos)--Description of one--Black and white negroes
--Negroes' "bulls and blunders"--Exchange is no robbery, or the
lost specimens--Negro politeness--Negro tongue--Inebriation--
Concluding remarks
It is now necessary to make some mention of the exterior
appearance of this large bulk of the population of Antigua, the
blacks. As most persons are aware, the distinguishing features of
the negro tribe are thick lips and flat noses, to which
peculiarities may be added, their black and woolly hair; but that
there are no exceptions to be met with is an incorrect statement.
Even among the Africans themselves, some intelligent countenances
and expressive features are to be found, while many of the
Antiguan _Creole negroes_ are what may be termed very
good-looking. High and well-formed foreheads, black and sparkling
eyes, aquiline noses, and lips with only a slight pout, are not
uncommon. I would not, however, presume to assert that these
pleasing outlines predominate; on the contrary, a great many of
the negroes are very ill-favoured, approximating to what may be
called hideous; and this is heightened when, in contrast to their
ebon skins, is presented the snowy hair of old age, or when
suffering from that dreadful disease, the _elephantiasis_. Many,
again, are exactly like an ape, only, perhaps, they have not so
much animation in their countenances; while others, from their
thick, sullen-looking features, their over-hanging eyebrows,
white, gleaming tusks, and faces more than half covered with
hair, give no bad picture of "Master Bruin."
It has been remarked by many persons, that they could not
distinguish one black person from another. A short time spent
among them shews you, however, that this is not the case, there
being, in reality, as much difference in personal appearance as
there is between the natives of England, although, from their
dusky hue, it is not so perceptible at first sight. This
dissimilarity consists, not only in features, but also in
complexion. Some of the negroes are black as "the ebon throne of
night," or the drear raven's wing, others present a kind of
"reddening gloom;" while many have that wan, _spectral_
appearance, that you may fancy them suffering in the early stage
of the _black jaundice_.
There have been instances in this island of Albinos being born
among the negroes; one, in particular, of the appropriate name of
"Wonder," belonging to an estate called "Mayers," astonished all
who beheld him. He was said to be as repelling in temper as he
was in person. One of these prodigies of nature was introduced to
me during my stay in the West Indies, and so extraordinary was
his appearance, that I cannot refrain from giving a short
description of him. In person he was rather tall and slender; his
complexion was of the colour of chalk and water, and no tinge of
carnation was to be found either in his lips, cheeks, or gums.
His hair, which, like that of all negroes, was short and woolly,
was perfectly white, as also his eyebrows and eyelashes; these
last were very long and thick, and completely shaded his eyes. Of
this member, the iris was of a very light grey, while what is
called the white of the eye, or more properly, the _albuginea_,
presented a yellow tinge; and, from the manner in which he
screened his eyes with his arm when looking up, he must have
possessed a defective vision. Although he was not absolutely
ugly, yet his appearance was such as to cause an involuntary
repugnance. The person who introduced this strange creature to my
notice acquainted me that he was of a very crabbed temper; but at
this I was not afterwards at all surprised, for wherever he went,
he was a matter of wonder and dislike, and every little negro
called after him as he passed along, "You see dat white nager?--
well, me no like to be one white nager, me sure!"
It is said that these "Albinos," or "Dendos," as the negroes call
them, cannot see during the middle of the day, but that at night
their vision is so particularly clear, that they can see to pick
up the smallest object.[36]
There have also been instances of a negro being born _black and
white_ in Antigua; his parents were both black people, as were
the progenitors of "Wonder," whom I have already mentioned. Dame
Nature does play strange freaks at times; and surely when she
formed these white and "black and white" negroes, she must have
been in one of her most sportive humours.
Many of the negroes have very good figures; but the assertion of
some authors, that there is scarcely ever a deformed person to be
met with among them, is as untrue as it is ridiculous. I profess
not to be a connoisseur in anatomical beauty, or to know the just
criterion as to what the human shape ought to be, but with regard
to this people, very many of them are anything but perfect in
their organization. One very perceptible defect is, their bodies
being longer in proportion than their legs; and in many
instances, these last-named members have a strong inclination to
_turn in_, or _turn out_;--in plain English, to be
_bandy-legged_. This latter blemish may, perhaps, be attributed
to the manner in which the women carry their children during
infancy: leaning upon one side, they place the child upon the
protruding hip, with its little legs clinging around their body,
which posture, in time, causes those limbs to _bow_ out. This
plan of carrying children is not only commonly practised with
their own offspring, but when engaged as nurses in respectable
families they use their little charge to the same awkward custom,
so that if you lift a Creole child, it immediately clings round
you in the manner described.
The negroes, like the Irish, are famed for their "bulls and
blunders," in illustration of which, many an anecdote is related.
During the period that Sir James Leith was residing in Antigua,
as governor of the Leeward Islands, he was very indefatigable in
his geological researches, for which Antigua affords an ample
field. Upon one occasion, his excellency had been labouring very
hard to collect from the bosom of "Mother Earth" specimens which
only a geologist can properly appreciate; and with a well-filled
bag of them, entrusted to the care of a negro servant, he left
the scene of his toils to refresh his animal spirits with some of
the _good things_ of this life. To ensure the safety of his
favourite specimens, the negro was despatched with them to "Dows
Hill," (the place where the governor then resided,) with strict
injunctions to make the best of his way, and carefully deposit
his load in his excellency's study until they could be properly
arranged.
After receiving his orders, and well poising his load upon his
back, the man started upon his journey. The weather was very
sultry, and the way was very long; the bag was very heavy, and
poor _blacky_ was very tired. Still he plodded on "his weary
way," stopping only now and then to dash the flowing perspiration
from his brow, and had arrived within a mile of his home, when he
was suddenly joined by a friend. "Eh, buddy! (brother) why you
loaded true! War you got in that great big bag?" "'Tornes,
(stones,) me friend." "'Tornes! why war you go do wid dem all,
eh?" "Me no no. Massa gubbunor gib me dem to _fetch_ home, but me
no no war he go do wid dem; me no dem well heaby though." "Well,
if eber me hear de like! for one somebody to go haul all dem
'tornes sich a long way, when dere plenty ob dem all 'bout 'Dows
Hill.' I tell you war me go do if deys gib me dem to carry, me go
heabe dem ebery bit away, an when me get to de 'Hill,' fill me
bag wid some of dem big 'tornes as stop all 'bout dere--sure one
'torne as good as anoder." "'Tank'e, me friend, me neber think ob
dat me sure; but if you just help me down wid dem, me soon do war
you tell me."
No sooner said than done; the splendid specimens were thrown away
without compunction, and the negro, who found it much easier to
march with an empty bag than with his former load, sped on his
way joyfully. At the bottom of "Dows Hill" he stopped, and once
more replenished his bag with the rough stones, which liberally
bestrewed the pathway, choosing the largest for the purpose.
These he safely conveyed to his master's study, carefully shut
the door, and left them. The surprise and consternation of the
governor when, upon inspecting, as he thought, his hard-earned
specimens, he found only a heap of useless rubbish--the
interrogations he addressed to his servant, and the ludicrous
answers of the negro,--are matters for the imagination to dwell
upon.
It is customary with many store-keepers in this island to wash
the outside of their stores or shops, yellow, or some other
colour. Should this take the fancy of a negro as he passes, he
immediately exclaims--"Ah, me like dat, massa's 'tore really look
gran; he whitewash he yellow, an make he stop quite good, de
trute!"
With regard to the negro tongue, much cannot be said for its
purity; the Creole negroes speak a dialect bad enough, but the
Africans' is almost unintelligible. There is one peculiarity in
their mode of speech very remarkable--the making use of only one
gender. For example:--if they speak of a female, or any inanimate
object, they invariably say _he_; thus, if a woman is speaking of
her sister, she says, "_he_, my sissy;" or of something that
particularly attracts their notice, they exclaim--"_he_ one
handsome house," or "_he_ one gran' carriage."
They have also particular ways to designate persons of all ages
among themselves; their old women they call "grandy," those of a
middle age "aunté," while the younger women are nominated "see,"
or "sissy." In the same manner, the old men go by the title of
"daddy," the middle-aged "uncle," and the young men "buddy." In
conversation they seldom pronounce the "s," "th," or "y;" thus,
if they want to say "story," it is "'tory," or "the," it is "de,"
"young," it is "noung."
They are particularly polite whenever they meet, addressing each
other as "Sir," and "Ma'am." Many a dialogue have I heard pass
between the gossips on their way from the Moravian Chapel,
sufficient to excite the risible faculties of a stoic. "How d'ye,
ma'am?" said a dirty-looking man just now, to a woman of a
similar grade; "how you do?--I'se hope you well to-day." "Well, I
tankee, sir--how you do?" "Oh, so so, ma'am, it one long time
since me see you; war you no come up our side?" "Oh, my dear sir,
me no forget you togedder, but me pic'nee been quite sick."[37]
"Me sorry to hear dat, but me hopes he soon get well; me just
been to see de new gubbernor land." "Yes, me here he cum, but me
not able to go; war kind of a gentleman is he?" "Oh, one
noble-looking buckra, an he lady on gran lady; it do you heart
good to see he; me dont tink we eber hab gubbenor like he afore."
"War he named?" "Gubbernor Sir Charles _Gustus Fitzoy_." "Eh, eh,
one big name true." "Well, good morning, sir." "Good morning,
ma'am," and so they separated.
To a stranger, the negro tongue is as difficult to _write_ as it
is to _speak_. In the different conversations given in that
dialect, indulgence must be craved from my kind readers, both
English and Creole, if they are not correctly written, observing
at the same time that I write them as it seems proper to me, and
in such a manner as they may be understood by those who read, not
always the case when garnished by so many accentual marks.
Perhaps sufficient examples of their mode of talking has been
given, and that by adding more, the reader may be tired, and
myself involved in a maze; I will therefore conclude this subject
by remarking, that it requires more than a moderate stock of
patience to deal with them, for they talk so long, so loud, and
so fast, that if not blest with that virtue to an eminent degree,
you will be sure to lose your temper without avail.
In my lengthened descriptions of the negro tribe, among the
darker shades of their character inebriation has not been
mentioned, as it is not a general vice among them. Still it
cannot be altogether passed over, for alas! too many have to
deplore the consequences of excessive drinking. In a country
where his actual wants are sooner supplied than in a colder
clime, the labourer has a larger portion to spend upon that
deleterious poison, _new rum_. A few sticks, collected by himself
or his wife, serves to cook his daily meal, a mat forms his
couch, while a coarse garment of cloth is the dress of his
children, and their little feet seldom know the confinement of a
shoe. Their smart dresses (if they have any) are reserved for a
Sunday, or any particular occasion; but the generality of negroes
who are addicted to the vice of drunkenness, seldom pay any
regard to their personal appearance.
Their excuse for indulging in this habit of drinking is, that
after working all day they require something to strengthen them
and allay their thirst. But the question is, will ardent spirits
do this? or will they not rather, from their heating qualities,
augment the craving? Now, most negroes have a sweet tooth, and a
beverage composed of sugar and water would tend to alleviate
their thirst, and at the same time nourish and enrich their
blood.
It is very much to be wished that managers and owners of estates
would try and enforce on the minds of their labourers the
pernicious effects of dram-drinking; for a steady, well-ordered
peasantry is a blessing to a country. True it is, the negroes
have a stubborn temper; and yet there are very many to be found
among them who seem willing to follow good advice; in that case,
the "rum-shops" might be forsaken in time, and their frequenters
become, instead of the refuse, the ornament of the class to which
they belong. The time has at length arrived when this despised
and benighted race are treated as rational creatures; when--
"Spite of the shade, at length confess'd a man;
Nor longer whipp'd, because he is not white."
If a society was formed in Antigua, similar to the
"horticultural," or agricultural societies in England, only
extending it to articles of manufacture, it would be the means,
perhaps, of exciting in the minds of the lower classes a worthy
spirit of emulation, and by employing them during their leisure
hours, draw them from their bad associates, and conduct them, by
gentle and persuasive measures, into the paths of virtue.
The humanity and generosity of the Antiguans is proved by many
charitable institutions; perhaps, then, this remark may be deemed
an imposition upon their goodness; but such is not the case; this
society might be established at very small expense. Twice in the
year, the negroes might be encouraged to bring their little
productions to an appointed place; and the best made, or best
cultivated articles, obtain a prize. The prizes, of course, would
be but small, but surely there are some among this large body of
persons who would esteem them, not for their value, but for the
honour it conferred upon them. It would be well if some of the
philanthropists of the present day would take it into
consideration whether such a society would be advisable or not.
If even but a few individuals were converted from idleness to
industrious habits, the purpose of the institution would be in a
great measure answered, the country benefited, and, in course of
time, others might be led to follow their example.
Ambition is a principle inherent in man; in all ages, in all
classes, in all shades, it more or less abounds, and when
tempered with reason, becomes, perhaps, more of a virtue than a
vice. While the negro was used as a beast of burden, a creature
without feeling or soul, his mind became degraded, and he could
not exercise his natural powers. But now he is become free, bear
with his ignorance for awhile, and endeavour by every means to
enlighten it. Treat him as a being endowed with the same
capabilities as ourselves; lay before him a just view of life;
point out to his notice the difference between a man under the
control of reason and one who follows the dictates of his own
impetuous will; shew him what industry and perseverance will
accomplish, and, in all probability, there will be some who will
lean to the side of virtue, and feel ambitious to become good
citizens, and worthy members of society. Nor would this be all
the good effected; being virtuous themselves, they would of
course desire their children to be so; and consequently, try all
possible means to procure them good instruction, and endeavour to
bring them up in the paths of rectitude. This is the only way to
banish the taint of slavery from the land, and exempt the rising
generation from those vices which have for so many years been
prevalent, and caused the man of sensibility to blush for his
country.
------
[36] Wager, in his "Account of the Isthmus of Darien," published
1699, when speaking of these Albinos, says,--"They are not a
distinct race by themselves; but now and then one is born of a
copper-coloured father and mother." In the night they skip about
"like wild bucks, and run as fast by moonlight, even in the gloom
and shade of the woods, as other Indians do by day; being as
nimble as they, though not so strong."
[37] In creole language, the term "sick" is applied to all
ailments.