CHARACTER OF
THE NEGRO.
21
and Oronooko ; but an irreparable defect in his articulation prevented him from putting his designs into execution. Ignatius died from a complication of disorders in the year 1780, aged fifty-one ; he was much esteemed by his friends in England. These examples before us, and others which might be added, prove that the negroes are not always the unintelligent beings they have been supposed ; and I do hope, that now so much has been done for them, they will alter their character, and strive to suppress those vices which their life of servitude has produced among them. They are no longer treated as beasts of burden, but taught to consider themselves as men ; they make it a constant boast, " Me free, me no b'longs to you !" I hope they may shew they deserve their freedom by their good conduct ; then we may hope for better days; we may see virtues springing up among them ; emanations of genius may arise and surprise the whole world. "^C I wish them well—I feel interested about them—I desire their good—and 1 am sorry, very sorry, that in the course of these remarks I may have so much to say about them. But when I have to touch upon the dark part of their character, for “ lights and shadows" must be depicted, I beseech you, my kind readers, to remember how short has been their life of freedom ; how few have been their advantages, comparatively speaking ; and above all, remember evil is not to be I returned for evil, but rather good. ^ There are many worthy industrious characters among this class of persons in Antigua ; not famous, it is true, for any great display of abilities, or of superior talents, like Juan Parega, or our friend Sancho, but men of sound mind, wellbehaved, and clever in producing little articles of native manufacture. A fancy sale was held in this island in January, 1837, and among the contributions was a miniature sugar mill, with all its vanes &c. complete, capable of grinding the canes when peeled. This pretty little article was the work and gift of one who, in 1834, was a slave belonging to the, Hon. Bertie E. Jarvis. It was purchased by two American
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