CHAPTER XII.

Creoles, or natives.-Men.-Women.

THE white inhabitants of Jamaica consist, as before said, of Creoles, or natives of the island, and Europeans come hither to seek or improve their fortunes. It is impossible to fix the precise proportion of each of these classes to the other; perhaps two Creoles for one European may be pretty near the mark. There are few of the former engaged in mercantile concerns, but they comprise the bulk of the wealthy and respectable of the land-holders,

The Creoles are in their persons generally tall: and well-proportioned, mostly swarthy in their complexions (the men are here spoken of), though those who are sent early to Great Britain retain little of it; and, notwithstanding the climate, have a strength and hardiness, though not robust, which is capable of undergoing the greatest fatigues and privations. They are uncommonly active, and fond of every kind of exercise; they are commonly lively and cheerful, being blessed with an abundant flow of spirits, which has, however, sometimes the appearance of levity and frivolity; they are open, generous, and unsus, pecting in their natures, and hospitable even to

excess. The visit of the stranger, or the call of the acquaintance, is considered by them as a compliment; the best their houses can afford is poured forth in profusion for his entertainment; and the sincerity of their welcome is pure, unaffected, and spontaneous. Their conduct, in short, would frequently seem to imply, that they regard the maxim, "be just before you are generous," as cold, selfish, and worldly; as many, while they run heedlessly into debts which they have not the present means of paying, will yet continue the undiminished exercise of their generous hospitality, and take a pride and a zeal in entertaining their guests with renewed splendour and profusion. They are, in general, kind and generous friends, affectionate relatives, and many of them are lenient and indulgent masters to their slaves; it were to be wished that this could be said of the whole; but one thing may, at least, be said, and that is, that they possess, in general, as much humanity as the Europeans in the island. As there never was a people among whose amiable qualities there were not mingled certain characteristic shades, so it is to be lamented that, among the Creoles, are too often to be found individuals, who are by no means the most exemplary in their moral conduct. These are men, whose minds are debased, and whose taste and appetites are vitiated, by habitual low gratifications and despicable indulgencies; who, after

having entered into the conjugal state, behave in a manner degrading to themselves, and calculated to wound the tenderest feelings of their faithful unoffending wives. It is by no means unusual for such men to entertain openly their harams of sable and tawny mistresses, without even being at the pains to preserve secrecy and decorum in this shameful dereliction of all that is kind and amiable in a husband. They do not steal with fear and trembling, and secret blushing, from the arms of a virtuous, deserving, and perhaps lovely partner, to bestow their caresses on those wretched companions; but they fly openly and avowedly, fearless of censure, and unabashed by the baseness of the act. Unhap pily, such conduct is too prevalent even among men whose situation in life, and even reputa tion for talents, ought to induce them to hold out other examples; and yet these men are countenanced, nay, caressed, because, forsooth, they are men of property. One cannot so much blame the unhappy man, whose circumstances and situation preclude him from the enjoyment of connubial bliss: one cannot absolutely condemn that person, who, at one moment of his life, looked forward, with "young-eyed hope," to the period when he was to enjoy those conjugal sweets; but who, since that period, has entangled and attached himself, beyond retraction, in more disreputable connections; but the man

who, after having united himself by indissoluble ties to a virtuous and amiable woman, wantonly lacerates her feelings by such profligate conduct, is surely worthy of detestation. Ignorance, inconsiderateness, vulgar habits, may afford a reason, and some slight palliation, for such barbarity, in the low and worthless; but what excuse can be offered for the man of better information, and filling a distinguished and respectable sphere of life? It is observable, that the natives who have been brought up in the island are most frequently guilty of this base contemptible conduct; though not all of those bred and educated in Great Britain, nor even the Europeans themselves, are always exempt from the reproach of it, though they have a greater regard to decency and appearances. The Creoles are in general far more temperate in drinking than the Europeans; and this, in spite of their other excesses, has the effect of preserving to many of them a pretty long life.

The white females of the West Indies are rather of a more slender form than the European women in general, although a tolerable proportion of them are pretty lusty. Their complexion is either a light olive, or pale unmingled white. The former has certainly the advantage :—brunettes, and beautiful ones too, are found in every part of the world, and to those of no country does the West India brunette yield in comeliness

and beauty; but the pale white, not being ani mated by the enchanting bloom that "speaks so eloquently" in the cheek of the British fair, has a sickly and languid appearance. Their features are sweet and regular, their eyes rather expressive and sparkling, their hair a fine auburn, their voices soft and pleasing, and their whole air and looks tender, gentle, and feminine. With the appearance of languor and indolence, they are active and animated on occasion, particularly when dancing, an amusement of which they are peculiarly fond, and in which they display an ease, gracefulness, and agility, which surprises and delights a stranger. They are fond of music, and there are few whose fine voices are not often employed in trilling the melting melody of song; though, after a while, it is observed they begin to grow more indifferent towards the piano-forte, and other instrumental music. They are accused. of excessive indolence in general; and outré examples of this are given by those who wish to exhibit them to ridicule. These exaggerations are like all others of a national description, and savour more of caricatura than faithful delineation. A degree of languor originates in the climate, and may be increased by the still habits of a sedentary life; but those in middling situations of life are as industrious and alert in household concerns as the females of any country in the world; and this much may be added of the