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Show 112 JAMAICA. a meeting with the people, in the evening. They assembled on the occasion, in large numbers, in the presence of their minister, and behaved with the utmost attention and decorum. In the course of our drive, this day, we observed, as we often did at other times, a large number of negroes industriously at work on the roads; they were each of them eaming, fom bits, or thirtythree cents per day-the usual day's wages of Jamaica. The circumstance may appear scarcely worthy of notice ; it is nevertheless important; for in the first place it shows that labor .is to be easily obtained, even in St. Elizabeth, at a very moderate expense; and secondly, the numerous exertions whicl1 are now· making in Jamaica for the improvement of the highways, arc a sure sign of a rising, rather than a falling, state. The following day was one which will long be impressed on our recollection. Vife were aware that in attempting t9 cross the island, in this direction, it was necessary for us to surmount some one tremendous bill. •rwo or three routes were proposed tons, but by all·accounts, it was quite problematical whether, with fonr·whecl carriages and jaded horses, it would be possible for us to overcome the diffici'1lty. As the alternative was the Joss of many drtys in measuring back our long journey, we were somewhat anxious respecting the result; but we were soon relieved by the kindness of our friend Ricketts, the stipendiary magistrate, who called at our tavern, requested us to visit the estate which he now manages for a relative in England, and promised that our carriages should be drngged up the inevitable mountain road, by force of eight pair of o.un. Early in the morning, one of his laborers arrived on horseback to guide us, s·lx miles, to Bartons. We found the place smil ing with prosperity ; the crops pxcel!ent, the works in good order, and the people diligently and cheerfully laboring for moderate wages. The history of this estate throws great light on the practical operation of freedom. During the last year of apprenticeship, its produce was 100 hhds. of sugar, and 25 puncheons of rumexpense of management, £2000-profit, small in proportion-! believe, a cipher. At the date of full freedom, the works JAMAICA. 113 ceased, and nothing was done upon th weeks ; the people we 11 d e property, for many h re ca e rorncs and va "ab d I t en undertaken by 0 f . ." . 'o on s. t was notwithstanding th. ~r ~tend Ricketts, who, in his first year 70, or (takin" the s':m ep arable condition of things, realised " ' e measure as before) 82 hhd f and 29 puncheons of 1 s. o sugar, only £1 090 ( b h rum- p anted 18 ac res f res 1! -expended ' a out alf the amount of th f, obtained a clear profit £ . h. 0 ormer year )- and or IS employer of "1 200 II expects to increase his pr d f "'- • · e now o uce o sugar byt\ t h I annually. Who shall say th· t f . d ' ven y ogs Ieads to work well in Jamaica? a rcc om, when fairly tried, fails After b;eakfast, our friend mounted back, and the whole com two of us on horse-a rich valley to the fo~~nyf prhocecded, several miles, through ll ' 0 t e moun tam We d ca s by the way-one t b . · rna e two der, belonging to W ~ a' heaul!fuhl penn, in excellent or- . · v o, Wit other m b f family, owns 10 OOO a f h. em ers o his ' cres o t IS fine land H a good account of the 1000 neo-roe h. . e gave us " Jl' . b s on IS estate. Somef ago, con Icts had ansen with them on th e su b' Ime ~ect of rent . b t now, matters were arrano"-' ed on au.·g I l t .ro ot.m " and th . ' u were working well for od "' e peasantry . . ' m erato but regular wag 0 VISit was to a Moravian ttl . es. ur next se ement, which was d·m . useful influence all round W .r d I usmg a · e •oun there a Ge and a pretty good school . ' rman pastor, to take reat I . ' two elderly negro sisters seemed They s~eadil~ e:~s:~n ;,;esentmg us with some tine shaddocks. were better." payment-declaring that "thanks Steep and rocky as was our mountain d miles in len<rth and · bl roa ' and of several " ' Impossa e as it wo ld I jaded horses to h u lave been for our ave surmounted it with th . oxen performed the t k f, . . e carnages, the four pair were found ~uffic~:ntu~o w~~ great facility; and selves we toiled u fi r e purpose. For our- ' p on oot and were well ·a exertion, partly by the deli";ltful rcpru for the company of se 1 . . " scenery, rule! part! y by the take us. One :;r~ mtelhgent persons who happened to over-em was a young physician in large practice w· ' |