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Show llO JAMAICA. ing, after reading the Scriptures with the black people, we took our leave; and pursued our course by a mountain path, many miles in length, to Lucky Valley a dell of great beauty, where there arc both coffee and sugar estates. The path, in parts, was one of extreme narrowness, with a bank on one side, and a precipice on the other ; but our horses were sure footed, and we rode along in safety. For the first time, I observed the great aloe in bloom-its vast stem profusely covered with bunches of yellow blossoms, and the little green "grass birds," somewhat larger than the humming birds, busily engaged in ravishing its sweets. Such a spectacle in England or America would attract a crowd of visiters. At Lucky Valley, we met with the usual hospitality of a Jamaica planter. Our friend, Hector M. Wood, until that hour a perfect stranger to us, kindly took us in, gave us a good dinner, led us over his sugar works, and showed us his people industriously at work. He assured us that although his present crop was not large, he was expecting a decided increase for the future-a statement which applies, not only to the estates visited during this excursion, but to the gene· rality of properties in the neighborhood. Our friend had long acted as overseer or manager for others, and was one of those persons who had wisely availed him· self of the times of fear and depression, shortly before freedom, in order to purchase landed property for himself. I have very little doubt that he will make his fortune. His wife is a colored person, of agreeable mannPrs, and much respectability. JAMAICA. Ill The rapid diffusion of marriage among the negroes, and the increase of it even among the white inhabitants, in Jamaica, is one of the happiest results of freedom. We were assured, on good authority, that four times as many marriages took place last year in Jamaica, as in an equal population, on an average, in England-a fact which proves not only that numerous new connections are formed, but also that multitudes, who were formerly living as man and wife without the right sanction, are now convinced of the sinfulness of the practice, and are availing themselves, with eagerness, of the marriage covenant. It appears that upwards of 1600 negro couples were married, in the Baptist churches alonr., during the year 1889. On our way to the tavern, where we had left our carriage the day before, we passed through a narrow and picturesque defile of lofty limestone rocks-the "Falls" river rushing along between them. At one place it forms a water-fall which reminded me of Wales and Scotland. We returned to Kingston in the evening, much amused and instructed with our excursion. We had selected the Port Royal district, not because we expected any peculiar satisfaction from inspecting it, but rather because we had heard complaints of its condition.-After viewing things for ourselves, we returned home, encouraged and consoled. ~ird month (March) 5th.-A meeting of the Jaffi~ Ica Anti-slavery Society was appointed to be held, tb~s evening, at Spanishtown. As we had both information and advice to communicate, we believed it to be our duty to attend on the occasion ; the society being |