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THE INDIAN BOA.

Much interesting information has been recently given by contemporary periodicals on the natural history of particular species of serpents. We will, therefore, offer some general notices of this reptile, gathered from Turner's Sacred History of the World, and from the eloquent writings of the French naturalist, M. La Cepede.

THE above cut, representing one of these serpents hatching her eggs, has reference to a particular instance which occurred in England, and not to the general habits of the species, as will appear from the following account. It is, however, curiously illustrative of that profound sagacity which never escapes the notice of the observant naturalist, by the operation of which inferior animals Though this class of animals appears, adapt their conduct to the altered circum- at first sight, to be less amply provided stances in which they may be placed. It than some others with the means of appears that two of these serpents were offence and defence, yet so adapted is some years ago brought to England; and, their structure to their habits and circumafter a residence of several years, the stances, and so curiously are they comfemale produced fourteen or fifteen eggs. pensated for their defects by peculiar These were, for a considerable time, the advantages, that few of the inferior tribes objects of the most evident solicitude to are at once so secure and so formidable. the animal, under the influence of which Though confined to the ground, and conshe had recourse to an ingenious method of sequently more liable to accident, they compensating for the want of that degree are in a great measure defended from it of warmth in the atmosphere which is found by the hardness and lubricity of their sufficient to hatch them in her native scales. Though destitute of feet and regions. To remedy the defect, she be- wings, few animals are so nimble as serthought herself of animal heat, and, coil- pents, or can transport themselves from ing herself round them in a spiral, she place to place with equal agility. Wheplaced her head at the top of it like ther to seize its prey or to escape from a lid, rarely raising it, and indicating the danger, the serpent moves with the rautmost interest in the success of her at- pidity of an arrow, and emulates and tempt. It must be matter of some regret even surpasses several species of birds in to all who are interested in the intellec- the ease and rapidity with which it gains tual operations of animals (for they surely the summits of the highest trees, twisting deserve this character) that so much in- and untwisting its flexible body around genuity and perseverance were exercised their trunks and branches with such celein vain. The eggs, however, were never rity that the sharpest eye scarcely follows them. Their sense of hearing is dull, but their vision acute. Their eyes, for the most part, are excessively brilliant and animated, extremely moveable, considerably prominent, and advantageously placed for receiving the images of objects from an extended field. They have a membrana nictitans to draw over their sight when the sun's rays are too powerful, or any injury approaches. They give many indications that their instincts and sensations have a superiority over those of all other animals, except birds and viviparous quadrupeds. They have less blood than quadrupeds, a lower animal heat, and less interior activity of system; and, in these respects, they come nearer to the formation of insects and worms. It is observed, that they are most animated in times of tempest and hurricane, when the electricity of the atmosphere is

hatched.

This degree of sagacity, unless we are mistaken, is but rarely exhibited by this class of animals: they are less remarkable than some other tribes for that near approach to reason of which this is an instance; and this defect is one among other facts which gives plausibility to the notion entertained by a late commentator on the Scriptures, who refers to another animal, the monkey, the expressions of Moses with respect to the temptation of our first parents. It may be proper to state that, in this interpretation, Dr. Clarke does not maintain his views by the rejection of any passages as spurious, but differs with other commentators in his translation of the word which is generally supposed to denote the serpent.

Genesis iii. 1.

in the greatest perturbation. Hence the native Mexicans, whose religious adoration of it leads them to pay much attention to its habits, consider its increased hissings to presage storms and pestilential diseases, and their superstitious fears augur from the same phenomenon the approach of wars and other public calamities. It is worthy of remark, that wherever the serpent has been found among pagan nations, it has almost invariably been made the object of religious adoration.

Among the various species of serpents, the boa doubtless holds the first rank. Nature, says La Cepede, seems to have made it king by the superiority of the endowments she has bestowed on it-beauty, magnitude, agility, strength, and industry. The boa is among serpents what the elephant or the lion is among quadrupeds; it surpasses the creatures of its order in size like the former, in strength like the latter. It commonly attains to the length of more than twenty feet, and in some instances it has been found of still more frightful dimensions. It was doubtless a serpent of this kind of which Pliny makes mention, as having arrested the march of the Roman army in the north of Africa; and, although we cannot believe that its dimensions were so enormous as he represents, yet it appears to have been so formidable as to oblige them to employ against it those military engines which they were accustomed to use in sieges. Indeed it is in the burning deserts of Africa that this creature enjoys a less interrupted reign, and arrives at its perfection. It is terrific to read the narratives of such travellers as have penetrated into the interior of this part of the world, of the manner in which this enormous reptile moves along through the midst of tall herbs and bushes. It is perceived at a distance by the motion of the plants which bend under its progress, and the kind of furrow left by the undulation of its body. It is in vain to resist it by weapons when arrived at its full size, and especially when irritated by hunger. The only security is found in setting fire to the already scorched vegetation among which it dwells. The rivers or arms of the sea offer no barriers to its progress, as it swims with the utmost facility even in the most stormy waves; nor is any security obtained by climbing trees, as it rolls itself with the greatest rapidity to their tops. Indeed, its most common residence is on the trunks or branches of trees, round which it coils, and waits in abuscade for the approach of its

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prey.

(To be Continued.)

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"Gratior et pulchro veniens in corpore virtus." VIRGIL.

"And beauty's lustre adds to virtue's charms." THERE are some kinds of study in the pursuance of which, contrary to the general economy of life, we gain considerable advantage, at no expence of research or preparatory labour. Of this class is biography. Involving little that is recondite and difficult, addressing itself to the imagination by its narrative form, and to the social feelings by its development of character, it takes possession of some of

the most important avenues through ordinary estimate of the comparative which the minds of men are ordinarily value of example and precept be correct, influenced, and at the same time acts it is calculated to be far more effective upon a much larger class than is acces- than any that can appeal to the undersible to other kinds of literature. These standing. On the other hand, it is quite considerations reflect upon biography possible (as has been too frequently much importance, and, if we may say proved) so to delineate the history of a so, much responsibility. It contains the vicious and unprincipled man, as to blunt most abundant sources of good, and, at the moral sensibilities of readers, either the same time, the most fearful facilities by investing vice with a false splendour, for mischief. On the one hand, the his- or by such an undisguised exhibition of tory of a virtuous life is a sermon ad- it as shall familiarize their perceptions dressed to our sympathies; and, if the with its deformity. We are disposed to

conclude, from the prevailing tone of subjected to the rigorous scrutiny of ano- | the account of her tragical end, from the | biographical literature, that there is much ther, is just that which every man is in- eloquent pen of the late Sir James Mackinsensibility existing with respect to the stinctively disposed to conceal--to which intosh. mischievous tendency of the last-men- his consciousness of depravity compels tioned class of works, and much mis-him to forbid access. Hence it has been apprehension as to the duty of the bio- said, with equal sublimity and truth, grapher in these cases. If he must needs by a writer whom we consider as by far affect the impartial accuracy of the his- the greatest moralist of modern times,* torian, he should recollect that there is" Each mind has an interior apartment no such necessity for his labours as for of its own, into which none but itself and those of the latter, and that they may be the Divinity can enter. In this secluded safely dispensed with, when their results place, the passions mingle and fluctuate would be detrimental to the morals of in unknown agitations. Here all the fansociety. tastic and all the tragic shapes of imagination have a haunt, where they can neither be invaded nor descried.

As we are accustomed to tremble at the association of selfishness and

Here the sur

On the 3rd of November, 1553, Lady Jane Grey and Lord Guilford Dudley were convicted of high treason. But no time was fixed for the execution, and their treatment indicated some compassion for involuntary usurpers Suffolk proved an incentive sufficient to preof seventeen years of age. The ingratitude of vail over the slender pity of bigots and politicians. On the 8th of February Mary signed a warrant for the execution of "Guilford Dudley and his wife," for such was the description by which they were distinguished at a moment when discourtesy wears its ugliest aspect. On the morning of the 12th he was rounding human beings, while quite in- led to execution on Tower Hill. Lord Guilford Dudley had requested an interview with sensible of it, are made the subjects of his beloved Jane. She, from a fear that it deliberate thought, and many of the de- might unfit both for the scene through which signs respecting them revolved in silence. they were to pass, declined it. She saw him Here projects, convictions, vows, are congo through the gate of the Tower towards the fusedly scattered, and the records of past scaffold; and, soon afterwards, she chanced to look from the same window at his bleeding life are laid. Here, in solitary state, sits carcass, imperfectly covered, in the cart which Conscience, surrounded by her own thunbore it back. Feckenham, Abbot of Westders, which sometimes sleep, and some-minster, had endeavoured to convert her to times roar, while the world does not the Catholic faith. He was acute, eloquent, know. The secrets of this apartment, and of a tender nature; but he made no imcould they have been even but very par- pression on her considerate and steady belief. tially brought forth, might have been She behaved to him with such calmness and sweetness that he had obtained for her a day's fatal to that eulogy and splendour with

misanthropy with the power to injure, conferred by rank, talents, and political authority, so we may doubtless regard that part of the economy of Providence as most benevolent and conservative, by which the pernicious tendencies of the vicious are commonly obstructed and confined by the narrow limits of individual influence; their resources of mischief being thus straitened, and, in some instances, restricted to the power of injuring themselves. The shortness of life, too, is, as respects them, another mitigating circumstance of a similar kind. Now, the effect of that class of biogra- which many a piece of biography has respite. So much meekness has seldom been

phy, to which allusion has been made, is no less than to frustrate the benevolent intention of these arrangements. It aims to extend and perpetuate the influence of a corrupt life, to enable a man to live his vices and crimes over and over again through successive editions; it keeps above ground, and with all its disease, the corpse which ought to be "buried out of our sight," in order to extend infection and to multiply mortality.

On the other hand, it cannot but be matter of regret that the narration of virtuous lives, and the delineation of virtuous characters, has not been more philosophically undertaken by those who are enabled, by their knowledge of the human mind, and their sympathy with moral excellence, to trace the process by which the great and good have attained their pre-eminence. What an inestimable treasure should we possess in a work which should exhibit the entire formation of a character distinguished by genius and virtue!-which should minutely specify (if it is not too improbable a supposition) and represent, in their exact proportion, the influences exerted upon it through a life, by events, companionships, and studies. Such a disclosure, however, is hardly to be hoped for. Owing to the almost universal neglect of self-observation, and the consequent defect of self-knowledge, it is scarcely to be expected from the individual himself; and to hope for it from a friend, however intimate and observant, would be far more chimerical. For the department of the mind, which for this purpose must be

been exhibited by a partial and ignorant
friend."

Such difficulties as these which we
have noticed leave us, it must be con-
fessed, but little hope of witnessing the
attainment of this high degree of excel-
lence in biographical literature. But
still it can scarcely be considered as idle
to lay down the ideal standard of its
perfection, since it obviously furnishes
(if our view be correct) the test by which
to estimate inferior degrees of merit. That
biography, then, in short, we conceive to
be the best which most closely traces the
formation of the character from the events
of the life.

These remarks, which have extended far beyond our intention, have been naturally suggested by the contemplation of the life and character of Lady Jane Grey. We could not help indulging the vain wish that it were possible to describe, for the admiration of one sex and the imitation of the other, the process by which that resplendent character was formed and matured. The possibility, however, of fulfilling this wish in any degree is precluded by the very scanty notices which are left us of her private history. Few events of her life have been recorded, except those in which a nation was interested, and which, consequently, came within the province of the political anualist. We will not once more recur to those few and notorious facts, but will rather offer to our readers what will interest them far more-viz.,

Foster's Essays, page 80.

so pure from lukewarmness. She wrote a letter to Harding on his apostacy, couched in ardent and even vehement language, partly because she doubted his sincerity. Never did affection breathe itself in language more beau

tiful than in her dying letter to her father, in before the Lord, Mercy to the innocent!"* A which she says, "My guiltless blood may cry Greek letter to her sister, Lady Catherine, written on a blank leaf of a Greek Testament, is needless as another proof of those accomplishments which astonished the learned of Europe, but admirable as a token that neither grief nor danger could ruffle her thoughts, nor lower the sublimity of her highest sentiments. In the course of that morning she wrote in her note-book three sentences, in Greek, Latin, and English, of which the last is as follows:-" If my fault deserved punishment, my youth, at least, and my imprudence, were worthy of excuse. God and posterity will show me favour."

She was executed within the Tower, either to withdraw her from the pitying eye of the people, or as a privilege due to the descendant of Henry VII. She declared on the scaffold that "her soul was as pure from trespass against Queen Mary as innocence was from injustice: I only consented to the thing I was

forced into."

In substance the last allegation was true. The history of tyranny affords no example of a female of seventeen, by the command of a female, and a relation, put to death for acquiescence in the injunction of a father, sanctioned by the concurrence of all that the kingdom could boast of what was illustrious in

nobility, or grave in law, or venerable in religion. The example is the more affecting, as it is that of a person who exhibited a match less union of youth and beauty with genius, with learning, with virtue, with piety; whose

Stowe. Biograph. Britan. iv. 24200. 1 Ed. 1757. + Heylin. Biograph. Britan.

affections were so warm, while her passions were so perfectly subdued. It was a death sufficient to honour and dishonour an age.

THE INDIAN BOA.

(Concluded from page 232.) When the victim of this gigantic reptile has come sufficiently near for his attack, he darts upon it with the rapidity of an arrow, envelopes it in the huge and muscular folds of his body, and presses it with such force as to break all its bones, and suffocate it in his dreadful embrace. It is from this latter habit that it has received the Latin surname of constrictor.

mass.

If the bulk of the dead animal is too great for the boa to swallow it, notwithstanding the large size and elasticity of its throat, he continues to press it until he has broken and softened all the more rigid parts; and, if this process is too difficult for his unassisted strength, he will drag it to the nearest tree, and, placing it between the trunk and his own body, redoubles the pressure until he has reduced it to a shapeless and flexible He then elongates it as much as possible by similar pressure, pours upon it an abundant secretion resembling saliva, and, receiving the head into his jaws, he draws it down his throat by frequent and violent inspirations. Sometimes, after all these efforts, his prey is too large to be entirely swallowed, and in such cases he has been found stretched on the ground, with his jaws frightfully extended by the undevoured part of the animal, and in a state of profound lethargy, which usually accompanies no digestion.

When its appetite has been completely sa tisfied, it will sometimes lie for five or six days quite motionless and insensible. Indeed, some travellers near the isthmus of Panama have declared that they have sat down upon it, mistaking its body, as it lies covered with leaves, for the trunk of a tree. So great is its torpor, if we may believe their narration, that they have even lighted a fire close to it before it has moved, and discovered to them the perilousness of their situation. The natives of those regions which it infest generally seize these opportunities of destroying the monster, and sometimes hasten them, by placing the carcase of some animal, slaughtered for the purpose, before the mouth of its den. The boa never fails to devour it, and then falls into the lethargy, in which he is easily destroyed.

A curious account of the capture of one of these creatures in Egypt is given by Diodorus Siculus, with which we will close this article. "A number of hunters," says he," "encouraged by the munificent offers of Ptolemy, resolved to bring him one of the largest of these serpents to Alexandria. This enormous reptile, thirty cubits long, lived on the banks of the rivers; there he dwelt, reclined upon the ground, and his body coiled in a circle; but when he saw any animal approach the bank where he resided, he darted upon it with impetuosity, seized it in his jaws, or strangled it in the folds of his tail. The hunters, descrying him from a distance, conceived that they should easily succeed in taking him in their nets, and loading him with chains. They advanced with resolution; but when they were within a short distance of the huge animal, the ferocious glare of his eyes, his rough and scaly hide, the noise which he made in rousing himself, and his open mouth, armed with long and curved teeth, inspired them with alarm. They ventured, however, to approach, step by

( step, and throw some heavy chains on him;
but scarcely had these touched the monster
than he turned furiously round, seized the
nearest hunter in his mouth, and killed ano-
ther with the stroke of his tail. The rest fled
in terror; but, being unwilling to forego the
rewards of the King, they invented another
method of accomplishing their purpose. They
made a net of thick cords, proportioning its
size to that of the serpent, and placed it near
the mouth of his den; then, having observed
the times of his egress and return, they seized
an opportunity, when he had gone out in
search of prey, to block up the entrance of the
cave with large stones. When the serpent
returned he found his abode beset with a
number of armed men, horses, and dogs. At
first he erected his head, and uttered frightful
hissings; but being frightened at the number
of his foes, and at the darts and arrows which
assailed him from all quarters, he rushed to
the entrance of his cave. Finding this blocked
up, and at a loss how to escape from the at-
tacks of the hunters, and noise of their trum-
pets and dogs, he threw himself into the net,
tremendous efforts to escape, and subdued by
where, having wearied himself with the most
the blows of his assailants, he suffered himself
to be conveyed without resistance to Alex-
andria."

ROME AND ENGLAND.

From a Speech delivered by Daniel Webster,
at Plymouth, America, in commemoration of
the first settlement in New England.

Ir was not given to Rome to see, either at
her zenith or at her decline, a child of her
own, distant indeed, and independent of her
control, yet speaking her own language, and
inheriting her blood, springing forward to a
competition with her own power, and a com-
parison with her own great renown. She saw
her stock, full of states and political commu-
not a vast region of the earth, peopled from
nities, improving upon the models of her insti-
tutions, and breathing in fuller measure the
spirit which she had breathed in the best
periods of her existence; enjoying and ex-
tending her arts and her literature; rising
rapidly from political childhood to manly
strength and independence; her offspring, yet
now her equal; unconnected with the causes
which might affect the duration of her own
power and greatness; of common origin, but
not linked to a common fate; giving ample
pledge that her name shall not be forgotten,
that her language shall not cease to exist
among men; that whatsoever she had done
for human knowledge and human happiness
should be treasured up and preserved; that the
records of her existence and achievements
should not be obscured, although, in the in-
scrutable purposes of providence, it might be
her destiny to fall from opulence and splen-
dour; although the time might come when
darkness should settle on her hills; when
foreign or domestic violence should overturn
her altars and her temples; when ignorance
and despotism should fill the place where arts,
and laws, and liberties had flourished; when
the feet of barbarism should trample on the
tombs of her consuls, and the walls of her
of savage triumph. She saw not this glorious
senate-house and forum echo only to the voice
vision, to fortify and inspire her against the
possible decay and downfall of her power.
Happy are they who, in our day, may behold
it, if they shall contemplate it with the senti-
ments which it ought to inspire!

TACITUS.

No

IN the delineation of character, Tacitus is unrivalled among historians, and has very few superiors among dramatists and novelists. By the delineation of character we do not mean the practice of drawing up epigrammatic catalogues of good and bad qualities, and appending them to the names of eminent men writer, indeed, has done this more skilfully than Tacitus; but this is not his peculiar glory. All the persons who occupy a large space in his works have an individuality of character, which seems to pervade all their words and actions. We know them, as if we had lived with them. Claudius, Nero, Otho, both the Agrapinas, are master-pieces. But Tiberius is a still higher miracle of art. The historian undertook to make us intimately acquainted with a man singularly dark and inscrutable-with a man whose real disposition long remained swathed up in intricate folds of factitious virtues; and over whose actions the hypocrisy of his youth, and the seclusion of his old age, threw a singular qualities of the tyrant in a light which might mystery. He was to exhibit the specious render them transparent, and enable us at once to perceive the covering and the vices which it concealed. He was to trace the gradations by which the first magistrate of the republic, a senator mingling freely in debate, a noble associating with his brother nobles, was transformed into an Asiatic Sultan; he was to exself-command, and profound policy, yet defiled hibit a character distinguished by courage, by all

"The extravagancy

And crazy ribaldry of fancy."

He was to mark the gradual effect of advancing age and approaching death on this strange compound of strength and weakness; to exhibit the old sovereign of the world sinking appetites eccentric, and his temper savage, into a dotage which, though it rendered his penetrating mind-conscious of failing strength, never impaired the powers of his stern and raging with capricious sensuality, yet to the dissemblers, and the most terrible of masters. last the keenest of observers, the most artful of The task was one of extreme difficulty; the execution is almost perfect.—Edinburgh Re

view.

THE SIGH.

WHEN childhood's grief our bosom throes,
Ere yet the tongue can lisp our woes,
What can our infant pain disclose?-
A sigh!
When time matures the mad-cap boy,
And all seems bliss without alloy,
What marks the marring of our joy?—
A sigh!

When youth assumes the would-be man,
Forecasting life's precarious span,
What forms the moral of our plan?
A sigh!

When manhood comes, alas! too soon!
With hap as changeful as the moon,
What notes the moment of our noon ?-
A sigh!

When fades the flickering flame of age,
And fate commands us off the stage,
What stamps the close of life's sad page?-
A sigh!
Aberdeen.
R****y.

THE TOURIST.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1833.

THE SAFETY OF IMMEDIATE EMAN- compose the resident population of Freetown,
CIPATION.
No. V.

SIERRA LEONE.

a

ers,

"An anxious desire to obtain and enjoy the luxuries of life is apparent in every village, from the oldest settler to the liberated African of yesterday. European articles of dress are the first objects of their desire, and for the means of acquiring these both sexes will cheerfully labour; and a gradual improvement has taken place in their dwellings, as they became possessed of the necessary means for that purpose.

1827, Colonel Denham writes:
Again, under date of the 15th of November,

"The general appearance of the Nova Scotia | enable them to purchase. Indeed, to the many hunsettlers differs but little from that of the free people dreds of liberated Africans that have been employed of colour in the West Indies. On Sundays as labourers on the different government works, as their dress is neat and clean, and their general de- well as on the buildings erected by private indiviportment very respectable. This remark is equally duals during the last few years, may in some meaapplicable to all the other coloured classes which sure be attributed the comparatively small number of agricultural labourers in the villages. Labourwhere great external respect is paid to the sab-ers' wages have varied from one shilling to sixpence bath. Of the maroons they say,They happened per day, yet has there never been a deficiency of to arrive at a time when their services were much liberated Africans who were willing to labour for wanted to repel a hostile attack, on which occasion hire. On the naval stores now erecting by conthey appear to have conducted themselves well; tract on King Tom's Point, are nearly two hunand they have since maintained pretty generally dred liberated African labourers, who work well the good opinion then formed of them. Several and steadily at twenty shillings per month, one THE pro-slavery writers are perpetually asof them have been successful in trade, by which half paid in money, and the remainder in goods, suring us that the African race are naturally they have acquired a comfortable livelihood: and taken from the stores of the merchants who have indolent and disposed to barbarism. The ab- few of them who are most extensively engaged the contract. surd theory of Major Moody is propounded in in mercantile transactions are supposed to have ata thousand forms, each of which is alike dis- tained to considerable affluence, at the same time that they have maintained a character of great recreditable to the heart and head of its pro-spectability. The dress and general appearance pounder. The colonists have so industriously of the Maroons is very respectable, particularly circulated this charge of indolence and barba- on Sundays, when a peculiar neatness is observrism that many well-meaning persons have able, and their deportment not only in chapel, but been deluded by it. Fears are, consequently, as far as opportunities have offered of observing entertained of the effects of immediate aboli- it elsewhere during that day, is very creditable.'— tion, and the cause of humanity is thereby The slaves banished from Barbadoes were employ- "Of the practicability of introducing free laweakened. We have already seen, in the case ed in public works for two or three years. Atbour amongst the liberated Africans settled here I of the free coloured and black population of the expiration of this time,' say the Commission- have not the slightest doubt; nor do I believe our colonies, as also in those of Hayti and they were permitted to employ themselves they would work half as well in any other way, Guadaloupe, how triumphantly the African for their own benefit, and they have in general unless the greatest cruelty should be exercised torace are vindicated from the charges which shown themselves to be industrious and useful.wards them." Of the black soldiers of the African corps settled have been preferred against them! This vin- in the colony, they say, Many of them appear dication will be rendered still more complete industrious. They have generally maintained a by a consideration of the facts which will be respectable character, and have by their own exelicited in the present paper. ertions (aided by some liberal residents), and unMany large bodies of manumitted Africans der the zealous superintendence of the Rev. Mr. have been located within the last fifty years Raban, erected a chapel in the distant part of the at Sierra Leone. It is well known that about town (Freetown) where they reside. That gentle2000 negroes joined the British army during man officiates there two days in a week to a conthe first American war. These were settled gregation averaging perhaps one hundred persons, in Nova Scotia; but the climate proving too whose appearance and deportment are very creditcold, and the land too poor for them, between able.' Speaking of the inhabitants generally, the Commissioners observe, The coloured men (un13 and 1400 volunteered, a few years after der this term they include the blacks who form the termination of the war, to form the colony the great bulk of the population, and who in fact which was then projected at Sierra Leone. are the persous who sit on juries,) whom we have Several hundred negroes who had belonged to had opportunities of observing on juries, appeared the 2nd and 4th West India regiments, and attentive and anxious to ascertain the merits of Royal African corps, were also landed at this the case; and as far as we could judge from their colony, and manumitted in 1819. A large verdict, seemed to be possessed of sufficient intelbody of Maroons was also conveyed thither ligence to insure the ends of justice. They are from Jamaica in 1801, and in 1816 the popu- selected principally from the older settlers (Nova lation was increased by a body of revolted Scotians and Maroons) and in some few instances slaves banished from Barbadoes. About 30,000 from the liberated Africans. The individual at Africans have also been landed in Sierra Leone present holding the office of Coroner at Freetown, is a Maroon. The present Mayor is one of the within the last twenty years. These have been taken from the holds of slave-ships, and with-early Nova Scotia settlers; the senior Alderman one of the early Maroon settlers.'" out a moment's preparation have been put in possession of their liberty. The condition in which they are landed is frequently pitiable in the extreme-sorrow, confinement, and cruel usage, having reduced them to the last stage of weakness and disease. The men are allowed twopence per day for six months, and the women for three months. Through the increased vigilance of our cruisers the number landed has of late been very considerable. In 1824 it was 1530; in 1825, 2337; in 1826, 2727; and in 1827, 2857.

This testimony is the more valuable as
coming from persons who were evidently
somewhat infected with colonial prejudices.

The parliamentary paper of the 17th of
February, 1830, furnishes still later and more
important information. Lieutenant-Colonel
Denham, in an official report, bearing date
May 21, 1827, says:—

themselves as they have.

"What this colony, or rather the liberated Africans, have felt the most want of, is instruction, capital, and example. With the very little they Here, then, we are furnished with an oppor- have had of either conveyed in a manner likely to tunity of submitting the conflicting theories of benefit them generally, IT IS TO ME DAILY AN INthe abolitionists, and of their opponents, to the CREASING SUBJECT OF ASTONISHMENT that the libeunerring test of facts. What has been the his-rated Africans settled here have done so much for tory of this colony? What is the report which its present and past condition furnishes in illustration of the African character? Our reply to these questions shall be drawn from official documents. In 1825 commissioners were appointed to inquire into the state of the colony, and their report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed, May 7, 1827. The commissioners say:

"The propensities of the people located in the different settlements are very generally in favour of

agriculture.

"I have not observed any disinclination for voluntary labour; it appears to be a system perfectly understood and practised by the liberated Africans here, and strengthens with their strength, as they become more sensible of the sweets of labour, by enjoying the profits of it, and the comforts those profits

"I know nothing of what may be the capabilities of the negro vassal, but I am sure the free negro, either in his own country, or in any other where bondage has never existed, is as sensible of rights and privileges, and as ready to defend them, as any white man in existence; and I defy any man to show any instance among negroes in this state of that natural dislike to whites, which

has been reported and acknowledged as a fact by theorists and West Indians; on the contrary, the white man is always looked up to as their superior, their protector, and their friend, whenever he will allow himself to be so considered.”

ham, reports to the same effect. In a letter Major Ricketts, a successor of Colonel Dendated March 27, 1829, he writes:

"The liberated Africans appear happy; at Wellington they are building by subscription among the inhabitants a good-sized church and market-house of store; and a number of private store buildings are springing up. The manager at Hastings is endeavouring to erect new bridges with the workmen and others of the village, who give labour and furnish materials gratis. Several of the liberated Africans who have obtained lots of land in Freetown, have built good houses.Many of them and of the disbanded soldiers employ themselves in the burning of lime, sawing of boards, cutting shingles and clap-boards; all of which are carried for miles from the spot where they are prepared to their villages, and from thence either brought to Freetown by land, or by water in canoes, which are kept and hired out for that purpose by the liberated Africans, residing in villages situated on the banks of the river or on the sea-coast. In return for these articles they generally receive cash, which is not kept dormant, for with that they purchase cattle from the natives trading to the colony; and taking them to the country villages they are fattened and afterwards sent to the market, and a profit of nearly one hundred per cent. is realized by this species of industry. Pigs and poultry are raised in the villages, and the market of Freetown receives from them an ample supply daily of this kind of stock, persons supplying the market are known to travel as well as of eggs and vegetables. Some of the from Waterloo and Hastings, the former being twenty-two and the latter sixteen miles from Freetown, carrying their produce in baskets on their heads; this kind of industry clearly mani

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