case a gentle fillip of satire, like cephalic powder to one troubled with giddiness, has sometimes a very salutary effect." As for this species of pride in many of the females of the opulent families in this country; it is much more pardonable in them than in the other sex. In most countries, as well as Jamaica, this sort of ambition is natural to the fair sex; they are fond of place and pre-eminence, and eagerly snatch at all occasions of asserting it.

This, however, is only a picture of some which has been drawn. It is pleasing to, contemplate the reverse of the medal. It is a pleasing task to have it to say, that if there are some of the natives of distinction who are rendered not so amiable and estimable as they would otherwise be, by this supercilious pride and ungracious conceit, there are also others who, in all respects, would do honour to any country, and to any sphere of life; whose generosity and liberality of soul are free as the winds of heaven; whose minds are expansive as air; their understandings cultivated, and their hearts overflowing with the "milk of human kindness." This is no overstrained eulogium. The author has had the happiness and the honour of being acquainted with some such, whose virtues and liberality he esteems and reveres.

CHAP. XVIIL

Thoughts on slavery, and on the condition of the negro slaves of the West Indies.-Remarks on the slave trade.

THE author is now entering upon a subject the most important and interesting-the condition, character, and treatment of the slaves in the West Indies; a subject which has engaged the attention, and interested the feelings, of a considerable portion of Europe; a subject which has given employment to the ablest pens, and called forth such bursts of indignant oratory, and such glowing pictures of human misery, degradation, and oppression, as were calculated to excite a general sentiment of commiseration and sympa thy for the supposed wrongs and sufferings of this injured part of the human race. Humanity is a field which the heart delights to expatiate in; the tribute it pays to it is willing and grateful; it is a favourite theme, and when seconded and enforced by the powers of an irresistible eloquence, every passion, every affection of the heart, is zealously enlisted in its cause. In this case, every attempt to excuse, undeceive, or explain, to rectify misrepresentation, or soften exaggerated

pictures, must be a peculiarly unpleasing, as it will generally prove an unsuccessful, task, such attempts being too apt to be construed as perversions and palliations, originating in selfish and interested motives. What, then, is the author an advocate for the perpetuation of slavery and མས oppression? God forbid! But is there then no possibility of separating the two ideas? This is a large field, which has already been traversed over and over again; to repeat the arguments which have been exhausted on this subject would, therefore, be superfluous and nugatory, and would rather lead to a suspicion (which he sincerely deprecates) of his being a professed advocate for one side of the question, than operate to produce conviction in the minds of those who have adopted the other. To avert this suspicion as much as possible, he will at once say, that he is unconditionally an advocate for neither side.

On a broad and philosophical view of the subject, who but must wish that slavery were for ever driven from the face of the earth, and even the very name blotted out from the vocabulary of every free and enlightened nation. But is this, in every situation, safe, practicable, wise, politic, consistent with the security, property, and even existence of one of the parties (which ought to be a primary consideration), or conducive to the peace, welfare, and happiness of the other? Perhaps there can be little hesitation

in predicting that, at some distant period, the order of things in the West Indies will be different from what it is at the present time; and perhaps this change will be effected by the slow operation of time, without any sudden or violent convulsion. But, at the present moment, to loosen those bands by which dominion and order are maintained, would be to let loose the horrors of massacre and desolation; it would be the involving of one party in indiscriminate destruction, and plunging the other into anarchy and disorder, savage violence, and bloodshed. A neighbouring colony (once flourishing and happy) presents an awful example. The poison of the new politicophilosophical creed found its way across the At lantic, and produced its wonted effects. The flame of enthusiasm, or rather savage madness, kindled up by it, could only be quenched by seas of blood, with which the very soil of that unhappy country may be said to have been fertilized.

There is now a system of amelioration intro duced into the West Indies, in the government of the slaves, with which every friend to humanity must be gratified. There certainly was a time, not very distant, when their treatment and condition was very different-when the arm of legislative power was loudly called for to interpose in their behalf. Pity it is, for the honour of the colonial assemblies, that they did not take this business under consideration at a much earlier

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period that they did not come forward uninstigated by any adventitious cause whatever; but it will unluckily be found, that all or most of those mild and benignant laws which have been enacted for the benefit and protection of the negro slave, are of subsequent date to the first agitation of the question of the abolition of the slave trade by the British parliament, and may therefore be fairly presumed to have been suggested at least by that measure. Be this as it may, the situation and treatment of the West India slaves is infinitely more mild, lenient, and comfortable, than it was twenty-five or thirty years ago. The poor slave is now no longer at the sole mercy of a barbarian master, but is protected by the laws from injury, insult, and wanton and unmerited severity. His master is also compelled to furnish him with food, clothing, medical attendance, and every thing else necessary for his comfort and support. But he must be a wretch indeed, who would require to be compelled to that which humanity, gratitude, and even interest (top often a more powerful incentive than either) so unequivocally demands of him, Perhaps there are such men, who will sometimes act in opposition to the suggestions of common sense, common humanity, and sound policy! It is at least to be presumed they are rare; and it would be unfair to draw general conclusions from partial practices and particular ex