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A FEW DISJOINTED FACTS

CONNECTED WITH

SLAVERY IN JAMAICA,
BY CHARLES JOHNSTON,
Late Book-keeper, Llandovery Estate, St. Ann's,
Jamaica.

have come under his own observation.

with a whip and switches of bamboo, is their stern conductress.

Frequently have I pitied the poor things, to see their little bodies in one universal tremor

grilled rat; nay, even cats are by them esteemed delicacies. I can't speak as to cats; but many a time and oft, while "grieving"* (Scottice) the gang, during operations in the mountains, have I seen a spitful of rats roast-of fear, casting their glances askance to assure ing on the same fire that my own dinner was themselves that the "schoolmistress” was at a cooking upon. I recollect one of these poor respectful distance. The happy hours of childcreatures (who, were he to appear before a hood in free countries, alas! are never enjoyed THE writer of the following paper, would strike compassion into all hearts, saving grieved: night may bring temporary relief, but British public with the detail of his woes, by them. Their little hearts are saddened and though not a full year in Jamaica, had that of a slave-holder), coming to me one day, they are awakened in the morning, by the ample opportunities, from the situation with a very piteous expression of countenance: thundering of the driver's whip, to the stern which he occupied, of observing the -"Ah, massa!" says he, " me caught tree realities of their bitter lot. In tears and disevery-day details of slavery. He has rats, and cat uyam (eat) all but one head." tress they resume their labours. Some, not so returned to this country with a deep Thus, this poor fellow might perhaps be starv-fortunate as their fellows, may have indulged abhorrence of the system, and is pre-ing for days to come after this incident; per- in a longer sleep; but woe to them when they pared to depose on oath to the truth of haps had been so days previous. The head of arrive at the scene of operations!-their treata rat is but a poor mouthful, I should think, ment is cruel. The old dame begins the drama the following statements, and to many other facts of a similar character, which to a hungry man. They never taste butcher's by abusing them roundly with her screeching meat, unless in circumstances such as I now tongue, that, shrilly as the peacock's, forebodes proceed to narrate. I having had the super- the storm. She orders the trembling little culintendence of some hundred cattle, one of prit to be seized by its companions, and inthem, by accident, had its leg broke, and, upon stantly belabours it with blows till its flesh informing the overseer, I was desired to see it quivers with pain. No wonder, then, that the killed, but to take care that no negro should negroes should sometimes be cruel (although this is very rare), when their best feelings are have a single morsel of its flesh. Such were my orders, and of course I was obliged to act seared from their infancy; and, therefore, what up to the letter, or turn "walking-buckra," goodness of heart and feeling they do possess, which would have broken my heart, I dare in spite of obstacles, they have not to thank say, and been productive of no good to the their task-masters for it. But it is well known slaves. Well; the animal was skinned and cut that it is the interest of the whites thus to dein quarters, and buried three or four feet deep grade their minds. Let but the schoolmaster be in a dunghill. The overseer and book-keeper abroad in Jamaica, and slavery is no more--a never dreamt of its being disturbed. Judge thing of other days. But I have not done with what must have been the surprise of the for-punishments. One little girl there was on mer, when, the next morning, as he was taking our estate who was flogged and abused in a his ride, on passing a watchman's hut, he ob- cruel manner, almost daily. Her life was, inserved a large piece of the animal hung up as deed, a routine of wretchedness and misery. a prize-a great prize-by its occupant. The She was actually quite lame from the effects of poor fellow was, of course, severely flogged, the lash, and frequently have I seen her rolling and the piece again buried, he being left to on the road, feigning sickness, to escape the the solitary "enjoyment" of his woes. daily punishment in store for her, well knowing that I would pass that way. But what could I do? Little, indeed; however willing and lenient I endeavoured at all times to be. Those who know any thing of the life of a bookdecamp from the estate. keeper know full well that he must obey, or

WE hear a great deal stated in this country about the comforts enjoyed by the slave population in the colonies-comforts which are roundly asserted by some far to surpass those of our labouring population. I deny, without any hesitation, this libel upon truth. Are the peasantry of our beloved country driven to the field as so many cattle, and treated as such? Are their dearest ties and sympathies torn asunder and broken? Are their sportive children struck and flogged, in presence of their parents, with impunity? Are their wives and kindred sold to different individuals, and separated by hundreds of miles? Are their daughters forced to yield to the base devices of depraved men? Do their fathers encourage it for gain? Do they toil night and day, and yet rest not? But I shall not stretch the glaring dissimilitude of their condition further. They are not so comfortably situated as our labourers, and never can be so as long as they continue slaves. And I trust that the details I now proceed to enter upon may go far to prove the truth of this proposition. I must be generally understood as speaking of what came under my own immediate notice: where this is not the case, I have uniformly said so. The estate on which I was placed was possessed of nearly four hundred slaves and three hundred working cattle, and made, yearly, five hundred hogsheads of sugar, and fifty puncheons of

rum. So now for facts.

The watchmen's huts are in general miserable abodes of wretchedness. They are built

Situation of the aged Slaves.

The grass-cutters are a set of miserable old women, with a male driver at their head, who hook, to serve as fodder for the cattle and are engaged in cutting grass with a reaping horses. Numbers of them are quite bent down with age and infirmities, and their feet are frequently swelled to an enormous size, by the effects of some disease. Nevertheless, they are flogged as often as the others: and child of five years of age to the old man or here it may be as well stated that, from the woman of seventy, there is no distinction-the whip keeps them all in terrorem, and its effects descend with the crippled and broken-hearted negro to the only place where his sorrows are at an end-to the grave. Yes; to a feeling heart a negro's funeral calls to mind all that he has suffered on this earth, where he has been degraded in the scale of existence, and ranked with the brutes that perish. But, assuredly as there is a God in heaven, these wrongs shall be avenged!

Punishments.

of bamboos, and thatched with the branches of
the cocoa-nut and under-wood. Within is ge-
nerally a bench of boards, covered with mat-
ting, where reposes the aged African, to seek,
in slumber, some alleviation of his woes. There
is no chimney whatever in the hut; a fire of
burning embers is collected on the floor, around
which may be seen lying his terrier dogs, his
assistants in destroying the rats which infest
the cane-pieces; suspended from the roof, or
arranged on the shelf of his humble abode, are
the calebashes, which serve him for culinary
utensils; a piece of a herring, far gone in decay,
in one corner; a little sugar, or decayed, magoly
rice, in another. Happy, indeed! Can hap-
piness be connected with such assured wretch- The children are made to work at the early
eless? NO! Their food is utterly insulti-age of five years; they are either sent to ga-
cient to support their toil-worn frames. The ther sour oranges for the hogs, or hoes are put
herrings they receive are actually putrified, of into their hands, and they assist in clearing
the consistence of soap, and these, along with and weeding the canes, or in putting the over-
cocoes, a very indigestible esculent root-these seer's garden in order. An old damne, armed
are their richest fare-so rich, that a beggar in
Scotland would consider himself insulted by
the proffer of them. They vary this sort of
meal, occasionally, by the dainty morsel of a

I shall begin with the children, who constitute the first step of the ladder of West India slavery.

The office of an overseer during harvest in
Scotland, singularly expressive as applied to Ja-

maica.

may have redress from the attorney, at his peThe slaves are given to understand that they riodical visits to the estate, provided they can prove they have been ill-used. But how is the boon (if such it may be called) rendered nugatory! A mulatto slave, who had received some unkind treatment from the overseer, on threatening to complain to the attorney, was laid down by that "dignitary," with her face to the earth, and received the usual panacea of thirty-nine stripes. Here is one instance of the many abuses of the system-a system which, from beginning to end, is one lie!

I have seen the old man of seventy flogged,. the infant of five years flogged, the slender youth, and he in pride of manhood, the young woman, just budding into life, and she who had reared a large family-nay, I have seen her who was with child flogged, CRUELLY believe that she was in that state, which, of all flogged, because the overseer, forsooth, did not others, demands the kindest treatment. short, "there is nothing under heaven to be compared to the foul deeds daily witnessed in the islands of the west"

Those islands fair,

In

That lie like jewels on the Indian deep." Surely such a fair portion of this lower world was and is destined to be the theatre of higher deeds than those of the paltry and cowardly tyranny of white oppressors, and persecuted black slaves. Yes, the flag of liberty will yet

wave over that lovely country, and the sound of the jubilee music shall be answered in a voice of thunder from the cannon, which will, doubtless, re-echo the joyful news throughout every valley and ravine-O felicem diem!

But I must still stand by facts. I have seen

the overseer, during the infliction of punishment, at the steps of his house, coolly reading an island newspaper, while his victim would be all the time writhing in agony shocking to behold, imploring him to be merciful, but in vain; the only answer would be a volley of oaths, and reiterated threats to the driver, that he would have him in his eye if he did not use

THE CONVERSION OF MONSIEUR DE LA HARPE, A FRENCH INFIDEL PHILOSOPHER.

SOME of our readers may recollect, in found among the posthumous papers of our last number, a curious manuscript, De la Harpe, containing, among other things, a prophecy respecting the future history of the philosopher. Some anxiety may be felt to know how the prediction of his conversion to Christianity, at that time so improbable, received its fulfil

preliminary discourse of a translation of the Psalter, the first work in which the author announced his conversion.

his whip better. On some estates it is quite ment, and that information is supplied in / covering the abyss, an abyss of forty years

common to flog the hot-house negroes because they are sick; such is fact. It is nonsense to talk of redress to the slave as long as the machinery of slavery is held together. The overseer and book-keeper may flog, and strike, and kick, with impunity; the slave must submit in sullen silence. It is almost a pity, one would say, that he did so.

I

The flogging and striking is not always confined to the fleshy parts of the back, although that is generally the part; and, indeed, is so always when the full quantum of punishment is given. I have seen the drivers striking with bamboos on the nose and neck, or even on the breasts of female slaves. I should not have dwelt on this last, but I have occasionally seen girls so used. The fleshy parts of the back are generally quite ploughed in furrows by the whip; it produces almost the same effect as if one was to take a knife and cut the part in scores-so well is the whip used. It is a tremendous length, and the driver makes it ring round his head; every crack went like steel to my heart. I was actually astonished and alarmed when I first saw its infliction, how a single white could actually use such power in the teeth of hundreds of slaves. After the flesh is so cut and torn, rum and salt pickle are rubbed upon the wounds; and then what pain does he suffer! Some may not believe this; I am ready to swear to the truth of it in the face of any assemblage in the country. once heard a "learned disquisition" amongst the book-keepers, whether rum or salt pickle was the best adapted to agonize the slave, and, I think, they came to a conclusion that both might be best. I may add, that these severe and unremitted punishments are frequently inflicted, and that for what any reasonable, humane person would deem very trifling faults-for being behind the rest of the gang a few minutes for having allowed any of the cattle to escape into the bush, which in many parts of the thickly-wooded country cannot possibly be avoided for returning words to the driver--and, in short, for many offences far more trivial. Not unfrequently the white despot may have been crossed in his amours, and his black rival undergoes the punishment which ought to have been inflicted on himself. Slavery demoralizes and blunts the feelings of all who come in contact with it, or are actually participators of its illegal gains. On my arrival in the island I lodged in the house of a free black woman, in Falmouth, who actually had her own brother and two sisters for slaves. She frequently applied the bamboos herself, or else superintended the operation. I have heard her say, "Now, mind what you be about; you will catch something you don't like, else." And this lady seemed to think that there was nothing wrong in the matter. She undoubtedly was of opinion that the system "worked well."

(To be Continued.)

the following narrative :—

Every person who has paid the least attention to French literature, knows that there was a society of men of letters, who held regular meetings, in order to canvass the best mode of directing their attacks against Christianity. Diderot was the patron of these atheists; D'Alembert, Condorcet, and many others, were members of this society. But none was more conspicuous than M. De la Harpe. He was the favourite of Voltaire, repeatedly visited him, and resided with him at Verney; acted on his theatre; dedicated his first play to him; and, in return, Voltaire revised his productions, recommended him to official patronage, secured a party to his favour, and in short exerted all his interest to render him popular.

De la Harpe, treading in the footsteps of his master, promoted the French revolution to his utmost. The ever-shifting government of France, during many a turbulent scene, was sometimes friendly, sometimes inimical, to literature and literati. By one of these temporary presidencies M. De la Harpe was arrested, and shut up in the Luxemburg. The greater number of those with whom he had been particularly connected had already suffered on the scaffold, and the same fate appeared to be reserved for him. At the moment when he was consigned to a prison, the opinions of those modern philosophers with whom he had associated were not effaced from his mind; and, although he abominated their effects, the principles themselves had not altogether lost their influence.

This conversion was attended by all the marks of a sincere conviction. The manuadditional proof of it. script notes of M. De la Harpe afforded an additional proof of it. "I was in prison," says he," and all alone, in a state of profound sorrow; but many days did not pass before I found that the study of the Psalms and the gospels had produced a strong though gradual effect upon my mind. I was already numbered among the faithful. I beheld a new light; but it alarmed and terrified me, by disof error. I beheld the evil, but could not discern the remedy. There was no one to afford me aid. On one hand, my life appeared before me, represented to me by the light which beamed from the torch of celestial truth. On the other, I looked on death, that death which I daily expected, and as it was then inflicted. The priest no longer appeared on the scaffold to console the dying victim: he ascended it rather to die himself there. Oppressed by those desolating ideas, my heart sunk within me; and, addressing myself with a smothered voice to the God whom I had scarcely known, What ought I to do? and I, what will be my lot?' Upon the table lay Thomas à'Kempis. I had already been assured of the excellence of his work, of the comfort I should derive from it, and of the power it possessed to soothe my desponding thoughts. I, therefore, opened the book as accident directed, and my eyes fell upon these words:- Behold, I am here, my son; I come to you because you have called me.' I read no more; the instantaneous effect which I experienced is beyond all expression, and I am as unable to describe as to forget it. I fell with my face on the earth, and bathed in tears, while my words and cries were half uttered, from the violence of my sobbings. At the same time, I found my heart expanding and relieved; but, at the very same moment, as if it were ready to split. Indeed, I remember very little of this situation, but that I wept long; and, beyond all comparison, my heart never experienced such violent and delicious emotions, and these words, 'Behold, I am here, my son!' did not cease to resound, as it were, through my soul, and to arouse all the faculties of it."

In this comfortless situation, M. De la Harpe had the happiness to find a fellow-prisoner whose piety afforded him the means of M. De la Harpe considered it as a duty to consolation, and by whom it was recommended proclaim in public those truths which he had to employ himself in studying the Psalms of formerly been so unfortunate as to oppose, and David, which M. De la Harpe had never it was with this view that he resumed the chair looked into but as containing some poetical of the Lyceum. The effect produced by him beauties, and even of these he did not retain at the first sitting will never be forgotten. The the least remembrance. His new friend, how- orator, in a speech full of energy and pathos, ever, fearing lest he might alarm the philoso-gave a picture of the national manners, pointed pher by such a proposition, urged this employ-out their causes, and inspired the crowded ment rather as a means of amusing his anxious audience with those sentiments of indignation mind, and therefore requested him to write a which he himself felt. The noble and pathemere literary commentary on these sublime tie delivery of M. De la Harpe gave great productions. weight to the principles he maintained; and it was remarked, with truth, that his eloquence became more perfect when it was altogether consecrated to the support of such a cause. It was to be expected that his zeal would attract, as it afterwards did, the spirit of persecution, and he was twice proscribed. An order was issued to get possession of him, alive or dead; but he continued to pursue his labours with an undisturbed tranquillity. His defence of religion then occupied his mind. Without consulting the authors who had writ ten on the same subject, he confined himself to the meditation of the sacred writings, and drew from that only source the arguments

M. De la Harpe, charmed with an occupation which was so congenial to his taste and inclination, entered at once upon this work. At the very commencement he was convinced that the Psalms contained poetical beauties of a very superior character; and, as he proceeded, this opinion was proportionally heightened. The perusal of other pious works strengthened the growing inclination, and he at length discovered the real source of this consolation, and that help to which the wretched never apply in vain. This commentary, which was at first undertaken with the warmth of gratitude, and continued with the zeal of piety, became the

which he opposed to the philosophers. He possessed an advantage unknown to his predecessors. Connected as he had long been with the infidel writers, he was well acquainted with the strong and the weak parts of their doctrines, and, to use his own words, he had passed almost the whole of his life in the

enemy's camp.

All the activity of his mind was exerted in the sacred cause to which he had devoted himself; nor did the continual danger to which he was exposed interrupt the tranquillity of his mind. He has often said that this period of persecution was the happiest of his life. His intimate friends had frequently seen him, when he thought himself unobserved by them, prostrate on the earth, as it were, before God, and displaying a sense of the most lively and sincere repentance. His health was, however, materially affected by his confinement; and, after his return to public notice, he gradually sunk under a complication of disorders. He preserved his presence of mind to the last; and, when his enfeebled eyes could not bear the light from amidst the curtains which were drawn around him, from the gloom of this anticipated tomb he continued to converse with his friends on the comforts he experienced from religion, on the errors of his life, and on the mercy of his God. He died February 11th, 1803, aged 64.

GRATITUDE IN A SLAVE.

A LADY residing at the Mauritius, many years ago, emancipated a slave, whose good conduct and fidelity she wished to reward: being in affluent circumstances, she gave him, with his freedom, a sum of money which enabled him to establish himself in business; and, being very industrious and thrifty, he soon became rich enough to purchase a small estate in the country, whither he retired with his family. Years passed away, and, whilst he was rapidly accumulating money, his former mistress was sinking into poverty: misfortune had overtaken her, and she found herself, in old age, poor, solitary, neglected, and in want of the common necessaries of life.

This man heard of her unhappy condition, and immediately came to the town and sought her out in her humble abode. With the utmost respect he expressed his concern at finding his honoured lady in so reduced a state, and implored her to come to his estate, and allow him the gratification of providing for her

future comforts.

The lady was much affected at the feeling evinced by her old servant, but declined his offer. He could not, however, be prevailed on to relinquish his design: "My good mistress," said he," oblige me by accepting my services; when you were rich you were kind to me; you gave me freedom and money, with which, through God's blessing, I have been enabled to make myself comfortable in life; and now I only do my duty in asking you to share my prosperity when you are in need." His urgent entreaties at length prevailed, and the lady was conveyed, in his palanquin, to the comfortable and well-furnished apartments assigned to her by his grateful care. His wife and daughters received her with the utmost respect, and always showed, by their conduct, that they considered themselves her servants. Deserted by those who had been her equals in station, and who had professed themselves her friends whilst she was in affluence, this good lady passed the remainder of her days in comfort and ease, amid those who had once been her dependants. Recollections of the Mauritius, by a Lady.

APHORISMS.

If a tyrant is brought to this pass, as to feel the reflection of his tyranny over others, in that which his own jealousy exercises upon himself; and if his own thoughts plot and conspire against him;

in as much larger a degree to any other animal, as he is superior to any in his intellectual exertions and universal capacity. - Sharon Turner's Sacred History of the World.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. Communications have been received from T. P. R.,

his very diadem is but a splendid mockery, his T. M. N., J. F. G., and Anonymous.

throne a rack, and all his royalty nothing else but
a great and magnificent misery.-DR. SOUTH.
THE best part of beauty is that which a picture
cannot express.-LORD BACON.

The garlands gained by the heroes of literature must be gathered from summits equally difficult to climb with those that bear the civic or triumphal wreaths; they must be worn with equal envy, and guarded with equal care from those hands that are always employed in efforts to tear them away: the only remaining hope is, that their verdure is more lasting, and that they are less likely to fade by time, or less obnoxious to the blasts of accident.DR. JOHNSON.

That which is not for the interest of the whole hive, cannot be so for any single bee.-MARCUS AURELIUS.

pects.

Children lament their parents, sincerely indeed, but with that moderate and tranquil sorrow which it is natural for those to feel who are conscious of retaining many tender ties, many animating prosbitterness of despair: the aged parent, the widowed mother, loses, when she is deprived of her children, every thing but the capacity of suffering; her heart, withered and desolate, admits no other object, cherishes no other hope.-ROBERT HALL.

Parents mourn for their children with the

Our thanks are due to our " Constantly-entertained Reader."

We are sorry we cannot insert the " Fragment" of W. R.

CHRISTMAS GIFT.

Near a clear stream, that flow'd within a wood,
With ivy deck'd, an ample cottage stood,
From storms protected by the clustering trees,
That with their leafy shelter check'd the breeze
And fann'd the curling smoke: here was a spot,
Where nature's bounties had adorn'd the cot.
Virtue estranged from grief and strife
The happier shares of the sweets of life!
The true-going clock had chimed the hour of ten
On Christmas eve; Ellen rose then,

To welcome home the friends she lov'd most dear-
Brothers and sisters, who always prov'd sincere ;
Return'd from school, they all embrac'd each other,
Affection's clasp held sister, father, mother;

Who, for this happiness quite elate,
Bless'd the Great Being-God of state!
Each their little gift prepared, to prove
Who most deserv'd an elder sister's love.
Fair Ellen smil'd; she view'd the little store,
Whose greatest treasure was-Rowland's Kalydor!
Which, to preserve the skin from harm,
In England is the only balm.
One trial given-Beauty shall succeed,
And ROWLAND prove himself a friend in need!
M. M.

ATENT BRANDY.-Declaration.-I, Spirit Merchant, do solemnly affirm and declare, that I do NOTHING MADE IN VAIN. not, and will not, in any case, practise deleterious ad alteration; that I invariably vend the genuine PATENT THE Creator has made nothing that is unFRENCH DISTILLED BRANDY, so highly recommended by the faculty, and pronounced the "only known useful-nothing so insulated as to have no pure spirit in the world," precisely as I receive it from the relations with any thing else-nothing which distillery; that my consumption of that article, in the or is not serviceable or instrumental to other pur-derably exceeded 3,000 gallons; that counterfeits abound in dinary course of trade, during the last four months, consiposes besides its own existence-nothing that every direction; but that in fact no other establishment in is not to be applicable or convertible to the benefit of His sentient creatures, in some respect or other. The mineral has a connexion of this sort with both the vegetable and animal kingdoms, and these with each other. The same principle has been pursued throughout the animated classes of nature. No one species of living being has been formed only for itself,

or can subsist in absolute uselessness to others. This is one grand purpose for causing so many races of animal beings to subsist on each other. By this system, each enjoys the gift of life, and each is made to contribute, by the termination of that gift, to the well-being of others. Fishes are thus useful to each other, to many birds, to some animals, and to man. Birds have their period of happiness for themselves, and are serviceable to others of their kind, and to man, and to some quadrupeds, in their mode of death, instead of mouldering through corruption into their material dissolution. Quadrupeds have the same double use in their existence their own enjoyment, and the benefit, at their death, to those of their own order, and to the birds and reptiles, worms and insects, that have been appointed to derive nutrition from their substance. All the kingdoms of nature have been likewise so constructed as to be beneficial to the human race, not as nutriment only, but in the thousand conveniences to which they are convertible. The amphibious order of nature is no exception to these general results. Its various genera contribute their proportion to the common stock of mutual utilities. They have their own gratification from their personal existence; they contribute by their substance to the maintenance of others of their fellow-creatures; and some of their genera serve to multiply the conveniences and pleasures of man. He derives advantages from all that exists,

Drury-lane has ever been supplied by the patentee.

Price, as at the distillery, 18s. per imperial gallon, retailed at 2s. 3d. per pint, and in sealed bottles, 38. 6d. each. Sample hampers of half a dozen of wine, 17s.; of half a dozen of spirits, 17s. 6d., package included. Conditions: Cash on delivery of goods in London or the suburbs. changed if disapproved of; forfeited if inferior to sample. Country postage payable by purchasers.

HENRY BRETT, 109, Drury-lane. N.B. 109. Nov. 30, 1832.

Ex

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It has been observed of our architec- Wren carried modern ecclesiastical archi- | to a church, we see in the magnificen ture, that "we were admirable Goths, tecture to its very highest perfection in steeples of St. Bride's and Bow, but they and we have never become good Gre- this country; and since his time, with but are not fixed in the roof, but rise in aff cians." This remark is especially correct few exceptions, it has been gradually de- their majesty from a sufficient tower and if we apply it to the greater number of clining, as too many of the incongruous base from the ground. One of the largest our modern churches, in the building of superstructures of the present day will and most expensive of the new churches which a pedantic imitation of the temples testify. Since custom requires the ap- is that of St. Pancras, built at the cost of Greece and Rome has been attempted, pendage of a steeple to all parish churches, of seventy thousand pounds; yet, alwithout much regard to situation or pro- our architecture should be accommodated though it is imitated from some of the A spire being of Gothic purest remains of Athenian architecture, priety, heathen symbols adorning Chris- to our wants. tian temples, with towers and spires origin, it requires much talent to make it from want of originality of design, it sitting astride upon Grecian pediments, harmonize with a Greek portico; it is, must be considered as a splendid failure. or rising from a root which appears perhaps, therefore, the most difficult thing It is imitated from the temple of Erecscarcely able to bear the superincumbent to design in modern architecture; yet theus, from the Pandrosium, and from the weight. Our immortal Sir Christopher that it can be made a beautiful addition Temple of the Winds.

Perhaps the finest specimen of the adaptation of Grecian architecture to a modern church is that of St. Sulpice, at Paris, which has been erected at various times and by various hands. It was commenced, in 1646, from the designs of Louis Levau, Anne of Austria, regent of the kingdom, laying the first stone on the 20th of February; in 1678 the erection was suspended, for want of money, until 1718, when it was continued under the direction of Gille Marie Oppenord, an architect who had obtained great reputation, although little deserving of it, his designs being in the worst style of the time of Louis XV. It was reserved for the Chevalier Servandorie to raise the

majestic façade, of which a representation is given above. It is at once airy and grand, consisting of two tiers of columns: the lower of the Doric order, which are forty-three feet high, and five feet and a half in diameter; the upper of the Ionic order, with two lofty towers, rising from each end to the height of 222 feet from the basement. The whole length of this splendid front is about 416 feet, in one unbroken line, strongly exhibiting the bold conception of the architect, it being then regarded as the height of talent to overload with ornament, and fritter away the simplicity of horizontal lines by all kinds of unmeaning and fanciful projec

tions.

A FEW DISJOINTED FACTS

CONNECTED WITH

SLAVERY IN JAMAICA,
BY CHARLES JOHNSTON,
Late Book-keeper, Llandovery Estate, St. Ann's,
Jamaica.

have frequently seen some of the negroes answer for perhaps a friend or brother, that he might be saved from punishment. This is sometimes done effectually, without detection, when the gang is engaged trashing a large cane piece, so that the absentee may arrive just in time, before he is actually missed.

(Continued from page 142.) In trashing a cane piece-that is, stripping Often have I, on returning from the field in off the withered leaves of the cane, prior to its the evening, the most enchanting scenery being cut down for the mill-the gang are opening on all sides to my view, and the kept at their work by the book-keeper and horizon bespangled with all the gorgeous dis- drivers continually moving along the line. play of a Jamaica sun-set, when my wayward This labour might appear, at first sight, or to a casual observer, as very light, and easily musings, perhaps of the happy home I had left, would be interrupted by the heart-rend-gone through; but such is not at all the case. ing screams of agony from a distant estate Through a large cane-piece the cooling breeze borne on the breeze. Oh! would any feeling cannot penetrate, from the impervious nature person live in such a country, where, instead of the canes themselves, inclining in all direcof the faithful barking of the watch-dog, their tions, covered with leaves; and this, along ears are shocked by the cries of the oppressed, with the continued stooping of the body rethe deeply-injured slave! quired in the operation, is very galling, and generally sickening to both blacks and whites.

Hours of Labour (crop time).

From June to August I conceive the general labouring hours* to be from five in the morning till sunset, with only half an hour to breakfast, and an hour to dinner, with no other rest whatever during the day. They are goaded on by the sovereign remedy-the universal specific-the whip. They are only allowed water during work; or, if digging cane-holes (out of crop), sugar and water is allowed, but no rum, or any thing else whatever. During crop-time, the negroes have to take their turn perhaps a few days' delay at a time. Thus a in the boiling-house every other night, with slave is engaged all day in cutting canes, and has then, at sunset, to trudge away to the boiling-house, and stand behind the coppers all the weary night. Another part of the gang keep up the fires without; others, again, are carrying canes to the mill; and the women are either doing this last work, or carrying away the trash (bruised canes) to the yard, where they are spread out and dried in the sun.

In digging cane-holes, the labour is uncum monly severe, and, as must always happen, the stronger negroes soon outstrip their weaker fellows, who are lashed on against the strength of their bodies. In all operations connected with the agriculture of Jamaica, wretched as to detail it is, the whole management is the same. The drivers flog, and swear, and threaten; and the book-keeper performs rigidly his part of the drama, which is that of a spy on the drivers and slaves. Having myself had the misfortune to fill such a situation, I can compare it to nothing else. The driver has all immediate power in the field; the book-keeper has none. This of course is worse for the slaves; for the driver, well knowing what awaits his remissness, flogs in great style, shouting as he proceeds, "Buckra work -buckra work!" which has a wonderful effect in stimulating the muscles of the slaves.

The towers are the united productions of Maclaurin and Chalgrin, who deviated from the original design of Servandorie, which, it appears, had but little to commend it. The south tower still remains in an unaccountably and disgracefully They are allowed no rum to support them indeed, I believe on all sugar estates, besides

unfinished state. The interior of this church is scarcely less imposing than its exterior. It was completed in 1745, and was then dedicated. It is the largest parish church in Paris, its length being about 360 feet, and its height 107 feet. The high altar is extremely beautiful. It is situated between the nave and the choir, is finely ornamented, and has much grandeur of effect. Behind the choir, in which are some good pictures by Vanloo, is the Chapel of the Virgin, profusely decorated with gilding and painting. It is illuminated by a concealed window, producing a most pleasing effect. In a recess above the altar is a fine piece of sculpture of the Virgin and infant Christ in white marble; they are represented with a large globe at their feet, upon which lies, slightly coiled, the "bruised" or dead serpent. In the transepts is traced a meridian, at the extremity of which is an astronomical pillar. The two fonts within the entrance of the church are rather curious, being formed of the shells of one of the largest Tridachna gigas (giant chama) known. It was presented by the Venetian republic to Francis I.

T.

while standing at the coppers. Those in the boiling-house may, indeed, sip a little of the liquid sugar with impunity; but even this shabby pittance is refused to those engaged in the morning when they leave off work. Those the yard-they are not allowed a pan-full in who have never kept a "night-spell," as it is termed, can have but a faint idea of the real slavery of those negroes employed at the cop, pers, compelled to stand at their post, exposed to the volumes of suffocating vapours continulope their sable bodies, struggling to oppose ally ascending, and which completely envethe inroads of somnolency which continually threaten them-so much, that I have frequently seen them tumble over with the ladle in their hand. In the midst of all their hardships, and this is a glaring one, these poor creatures yet find time for a harmless joke the real goodness of their nature shining forth in the midst of every misery.

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Slaves engaged within doors.

On the estate where I was placed, and, the field negroes, there was a gang of carpenters, of coopers, and of masons, with two blacksmiths. The carpenters were no mean workmen, and some of their light fancy articles would do no discredit to a cabinet-maker their skill in the mechanism of their different in this country. It was astonishing to witness operations, and their exceeding neatness of handicraft. Both carpenters and coopers, and of course the smith also, worked under shade; and, even in this respect, they were greatly better off than their less fortunate fellows, who sides, they had no whip suspended over their had to toil beneath a burning sun; and beheads (although liable to its infliction as well as others), but merely a head man to direct their operations. They seemed to consider themselves as superior to the other slaves; and, when their workshops were closed after crop-time, they shouldered their hoes with the greatest reluctance as they hied away to the field.

The masons were chiefly employed in keeping the fences in repair, or in building what "dry-stane in Scotland would be termed dykes." When superintended by a white person, they build very substantial houses, as the different public and private erections throughout the colony (built of course by vari ous gangs) sufficiently testify. The courthouses at Falmouth and Puerto Maria would stand comparison with many in Scotland; and the "great houses" of the proprietors and

* This can be well ascertained by sun-rise and attorneys are no less distinguished for the sun-set at this period of the year.

beauty and elegance of their structure. None

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