192
THE PURE IN BLOOD.
are two distinct classes to be found among them : the one born in the island, (but of course of European extraction,) and consequently termed Creoles ;* the other, persons of both sexes, who have emigrated from England in search of wealth, or whose domestic ties, or government appointments, have caused them to leave the land of their birth, and made them, for a time at least, residents in this bonny little island.f In these two classes, then, are to be found all the descendants of the fair-haired Saxons, from the president of the island, down to the low, ignorant, but proud, pauper—proud of his untarnished blood ! who, in Antiguan vulgarism, is known by the appellation of “ bottom-foot buckra." Of this last-mentioned class much may be said. Many and various are their “ traits" of character, and arduous their " trials" to enable them to " keep up appearances." But perhaps it may appear more orthodox to scan over the peculiarities and " manners and customs" of the “ tip-tops" first. The head of Antiguan society is of course her majesty's representative — “ His Excellency the Governor." Then comes the " President of the Island," who, in absence of the commander-in-chief, exercises his duties, and takes his place in society. After the president, the members of the council and house of assembly rank next among the grandees, all of whom, no doubt, are— " Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors."
Then comes the “ bench and the bar,"—the occupiers of pulpits, and the followers of Galen,—government officers, and the officers of her majesty's customs,—a few gallant sons of Mars from some of England's “ wooden walls," who in cruising about these seas, pay Antigua an occasional visit,— * It is an erroneous opinion held by some English people, that only coloured persons are called Creoles ; the word being, in its proper sense, applied to all who are born in the West Indies. f These two classes are of course subdivided into many others, according to their different stages in society.