DOMINICA,
99
these atrocities was recalled. There''are many wild hogs in the woods, and a small species of boa constrictor, the guana is not uncommon ; and there is a large edible frog, which is caught in great numbers, and esteemed a delicacy. There are also two species of parroquets. I'he negros are a hardy, muscular race, but far beneath those of Antigua in appearance and intelligence. They have a downcast, distrustful look. Such at least was our observation on Hillsborough estate, where they \ speak chiefly English, and are considered superior to j most in the island. Complaints have almost ceased on j this estate, in conseiiuence of a change of system on the j part of the manage.- and his attorney ; the latter having • lately adopted liberal views. The number of negros is one hundred and three, including old people and children; the females being nearly as two to one. Nine infants have been born since the x\pprenticeship, of whom six have died. The manager attributes this great mortality to the negligence and ignorance of ; mothers, who think that the estate will have a claim upon their children, if they take them to the hospital when sick, or if they allow the older ones to pick grass, tend goats, and do other work suitable to their jears. The same want of confidence prevents the people from undertaking task-work, and from working willingly for remuneration in their own time. In the former case we were told by one who had good opportunity of knowing their dispositions, that they thought that task work was offered them as a bait to see how much they could do in a given time, in order to increase their daily quota. While we were on this estate, a woman with an infant a few weeks old, in her arms, came to complain to the Stipendiary that the father of her child i would not contribute to its support. He, it appear- |