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Show so JAMAICA, from Jamaica, (allowing for a little exaggeration on either side,) are both essentially tme; and, with little exception, they are the respective results of two opposite methods of management. But the evil is correcting itself; a better understanding is gradually taking place ; and masters and laborers are increasingly in the way of being bound together-not by unfair methods of compulsion, but by· the surer, safer, bond of a common interest. To continue our narrative-after visiting the Hope estate, we rode to an independent village consisting of the settlements of seventy families, who have pnrchased good plots of land, and have built, or are building, for themselves, pretty comfortable cottages. We were glad to find that the men of this settlement are still working for wages on the neighboring estates. Our friend Manning was with us, and the people at the village seemed very anxious to obtain, through his assistance; some permanent arrangement for a weekly religious ser· vice. The village appeared to us to be a scene of thrift and QOntentment. " How many dollars should I find in thy purse at home?" said one of our company to a young married negro, who was guiding us along one of the mountain passes. "Should I find jive.'" "Yes, sir," replied he, "and no great matter neither." How very few of our laborers in England, would be found with twenty shillings, in their purse, of spare money-was our reflection on the occasion. " How much dost thou pay at one time for liquor?" "A pound, sir," said he-that is twelve shillings sterling-which lasts this laborer for wine, porter, &c., only six weeks. They are by no means given to intemperance, but some of them keep these articles in their cottages, for their own use in times .of hard labor, and for the entertainment of their friends-a luxury which we hope will be soon exchanged .for domestic comforts of a more desirable character. Their provision grounds are often extremely productive, sometimes yielding a clear income of £20 or £25 sterling. They are a decent, intelligent race, alive to their own interest, and increas· ingly cognizant of all that concerns it. JAMAICA. 81 On our return, to Kingston; we dined with n few of the planters and merchants, at the house of our friend, George Atkinson, h1mself a planter. They gave us individually, a favorable account of the working of the negroes on their properties. These men of business take a hopeful view of the improved condition of affairs within the last few months, and appear to look forward, on substantial grounds, to the future prosperity of the colony. But it is time to conclude this Jetter. I run &c. &c. |