MELANCHOLY CATASTROPHE.
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forts, it was ordered that no estate was to be without a commodious sick-house, furnished with proper conveniences for the use of the sick, and a sufficient number of attendants, under direction of a white person, to minister to their wants. In omitting to do this, the owner of such estate was liable to a penalty of 100/. for the first offence ; and 20s. for the latter. They were also obliged to return an annual account of the births and deaths of their slaves, and how the sick were treated, under fine of 100/. When a female slave proved enceinte of her first child, her master was to provide her a house containing two rooms, and not compel her to go to the sick-house, under penalty of 20/. During pregnancy, they were not to be employed in the general work of the estate, but lighter occupation was to be found them ; and no punishment was to be inflicted but imprisonment. So anxious did they appear for the comfort and well-being of their slaves, that it was further enacted, that sufficient clothing and provisions should be provided for them, even if the estate was in debt ; and the costs for such articles was to be liquidated before any other claim. A melancholy catastrophe occurred during this year, at Antigua. Lord Camelford, then acting as commander of his majesty's sloop " Favourite," had a private quarrel with Lieutenant Peterson, of H. M. S. " Perdrix ;" and some very unpleasant recriminations passed between the parties. Soon after this, Lord Camelford gave Lieutenant Peterson an order, which he unfortunately refused to obey, at the same time making use of some disaffected expressions ; and the consequences were, that Lord Camelford shot him. His lordship was tried by a court-martial, and honourably acquitted ; but he must have carried a blighted conscience with him, for— " Alas ! they had been friends in youth ; But whispering tongues can poison truth ; And constancy lives in realms above ; And life is thorny ; and youth is vain : And to be wroth with one we love, Doth work, like madness, in the brain."