INCENDIARISM.
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may commit, they endeavour to screen as far as lies in their power. It is principally among this class of persons, then, that the crime of infanticide is to be found : to preserve their own character in the eyes of the world, they add to their former error the heavier guilt of murder ; and without one pang of remorse, expose to the hungry dogs the little innocent they ought to have guarded with double care, as they had already deeply injured it by denying it a father's protection. Several instances of this kind have lately occurred within a short period ; but the subject is so revolting to the sensitive mind, that we will banish any further mention of it from these pages. In the list of higher offences, incendiarism must be noticed, which has been frequently practised by the negroes to carry out their plans of revenge. Before emancipation, as well as at the present period, the horizon has been frequently illuminated with the glare of an incendiary fire. We have already seen, in the year 1831, how much the negroes resented the abolition of their Sunday markets, by scattering abroad that devastating element ; and within a few weeks ago, a case of arson occurred in the capital, which might have proved very fatal in its consequence. A highly respectable inhabitant of Antigua, had, with his family, retired for the night, perfectly unconscious of harm. Who would not think himself safe within the precincts of his own home ?—where but in that fortress would we look for rest? Alas! that human depravity should rage to such an extent that, even in our own domestic circle, revenge, that deadly “ upas," should spring up, to destroy, with its poisonous exhalation, that great blessing, family peace ! A few words between the servants of the establishment and their employer led, it is supposed, to the event, which, had it not been fortunately discovered, might have hurried a whole family into eternity by one of the most dreadful deaths. On the night in question, a female inmate of his house was unable to sleep, and after tossing about for some time