IV.

BOOK (sequestered, domestick, and unobtrusive) it is doubtless owing, that no women on carth make better wives, or better mothers (e).

PERHAPS, the circumstance most distinguishable in the character of the Natives to which the climate seems to contribute, is the early display of the mental powers in young children; whose quick perception, and rapid advances in knowledge, exceed those of European infants of the same age, in a degree that is perfectly unaccountable and astonishing. This circumstance is indeed too striking to have escaped the notice of any one writer who has visited the tropical parts of America; and the fact being too well established to be denied, the philosophers of Europe have consoled themselves with an idea that, as the genius of the young West Indians attains sooner to maturity, it declines more rapidly than that of Europeans. Nature is supposed to act in this case in a manner analogous to her operations in the vegetable kingdom, where the trees that come soonest to perfection, are at the same time less firm and durable than those which require more time for the completion of their growth. It is indeed certain,

(e) The Creole ladies are noted for very fine teeth, which they preserve and keep beautifully white by a constant use of the juice of a withe called the Chew-stick; a species of Thamnus. It is cut into small pieces, and used as a tooth-brush. The juice is a strong bitter, and a powerful detergent.

that

I.

that the subsequent acquirements of the mind CHAP. in the Natives do not alwaps keep pace with its early progress; but the chief cause (as Ulloa hath observed) of the short duration of such promising beginnings, seems to be the want of proper objects for exercising the faculties. The propensity also, which the climate undoubtedly encourages, to early and habitual licentiousness, induces a turn of mind and disposition unfriendly to mental improvement. Among such of the Natives as have happily escaped the contagion and enervating effects of youthful excesses, men are found of capacities as strong and permanent as among any people whatever.

As I cannot therefore admit that the Creoles in general possess less capacity and stability of mind than the natives of Europe, much less can I allow that they fall short of them in those qualities, of the heart which render man a blessing to all around him. Generosity to each other, and a high degree of compassion and kindness towards their inferiors and dependents, distinguish the Creoles in a very honourable manner (ƒ). If they are proud, their pride is

"(ƒ) Adventurers from Europe are universally more "cruel and morose towards the Slaves than the Creoles or "Native West-Indians."

Ramsay, Essay on the Treatment and Conversion

of the Slaves, &c.

IV.

BOOK allied to no meanness. Instructed from their infancy to entertain a very high opinion of their own consequence, they are cautious of doing any act which may lessen the consciousness of their proper dignity. From the same cause they scorn every species of concealment. They have a frankness of disposition beyond any people on earth. Their confidence is unlimited and entire. Superior to falsehood themselves, they suspect it not in others.

How far this nobleness of disposition may be ascribed to the influence of a genial climate, and how far to education and example, I presume not to discriminate. The effects of heat on the body are sufficiently visible; but perhaps Philosophers have relied too much on a supposed sympathy between the body and mind.

"The Natives of hot climates" (says one writer)" are slothful and timid ;" but timidity is by no means the necessary consequence of indolence. The mind may require great force to rouse it to due exertion; but, being properly urged, may display qualities very opposite to those of a timid disposition. At least, timidity constitutes no part of the character of the Natives of the British West-Indies. Indolence, I admit, is too predominant among them; but that they are deficient in personal courage, no man, who has the smallest acquaintance with them, will allow for a moment.

1.

Even the indolence of which they are accused, CHAP. is rather an aversion to serious thought and deep reflection, than a slothfulness and sluggishness of nature. Both sexes, when the springs of the mind are once set in motion, are remarkable for a warm imagination and a high flow of spirits. There seems indeed universally to reign among them a promptitude for pleasure. This effect has been ascribed, and perhaps justly, to the levity of the atmosphere (g). To the same cause is commonly imputed the propensity observable in most of the West Indians to indulge extravagant ideas of their riches; to view their circumstances through a magnifying medium, and to feast their fancies on what another year will effect. This anticipation of imaginary wealth is so prevalent as to become justly ridiculous; yet I am inclined to think it is a propensity that exists independent of the climate and atmosphere, and that it arises principally from the peculiar situation of the West Indian Planters as land-holders. Not having, like the proprietors of landed estates in Great Britain, frequent opportunities of letting their plantations to substantial tenants, they are, for the most part, compelled to become practical farmers on their own lands, of which the returns are, in the highest degree, fluctuat

(g) Moseley on the Climate of the West-Indies. VOL. II.

ing

IV.

BOOK ing and uncertain. Under these circumstances, a West-Indian property is a species of lottery, and as such, it gives birth to a spirit of adventure and enterprise, and awakens extravagant hopes and expectations;-too frequently terminating in perplexity and disappointment.

SUCH are the few observations which I have noted concerning the character, disposition, and manners of the White inhabitants of these islands. I proceed now to persons of mixed blood (usually termed People of Colour) and Native Blacks of free condition. Of the former, all the different classes, or varieties, are not easily discriminated. In the British West Indies they are commonly known by the names of Samboes, Mulattoes, Quadroons, and Mestizes (h); but the Spaniards, from whom these appellations are borrowed, have many other and much nicer distinctions, of which the following account is given by Don Anthonio de Ulloa,

(h) A Sambo is the offspring of a Black Woman by a Mulatto Man, or vice versa.

The offspring of a Mestize by a White Man are white by Jaw. A Mestize therefore in our islands is, I suppose, the Quinteron of the Spaniards.