170
MONTSERRAT.
the building into decent order, and when that is done, another clergyman will be added to the establishment of the colony. There are 6396 slaves in Montserrat, a considerable number of whom are entirely debarred from any mental instruction. This is the case with all those who are unfortunately the property of a noted Papist of great influence, and of other planters who have the pusillanimity to sacrifice their consciences to his contemptible prejudice. The residue are taught the catechism by Mr. Luckcock, who also preaches and expounds portions of Scripture to them with more or less frequency, according to the distance of their residence from Plymouth. The Bishop has lately placed a catechist under this worthy minister's direction, and it is earnestly to be hoped by every friend to the true interests of the colony, that means will not always be wanting for still further increasing the number and the influence of those, by whose exertions a religious and moral spirit may be excited in the slaves, and the peaceable subordination of the whole class be insured. The Methodists will pardon the freedom I take in expressing my suspicions that the evil, which they have done upon the long run both at home and abroad, is but scantily counterpoised by a certain sobriety of exterior which they have inflicted on their sect. One remark seems level to the lowest capacity and the most sordid prejudice. The planters in the West