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GENERAL REMARKS
ticeship, we refer to an analysis in the Appendix, of the record of complaints and decisions in the journal of a Stipendiary magistrate, with illustrative cases.* By these it appears that corporal punishments are almost ; laid aside ; but the negros are deprived of their time, | on which they are to a great extent dependent, for the maintenance of themselves and their offspring. The operation of the law which compels the apprentices to refund the time lost, when they are punished by im- j prisonment, (thus imposing a double penalty for the j same offence), and the forfeiture of their Saturdays to j the estates, have given the planters a direct interest in ' the punishment of their laborers. Nor must it be for- ] gotten, that there are benevolent planters, who never ; have occasion to employ the authority of the Stipen- j diaries ; and that this penal and oppressive law, with j its costly and complicated administration, is upheld ; solely for the purposes of men, who know no other ; means of maintaining their authority, than terror, and who can comprehend no motive to induce their negros to labor, but coercion. The little that was wanting to make the Apprenticeship the heavy burden, that it now ! is, to the negros, has been supplied by Sir L I O N E L SMITH'S " scale of labor."f The prejudice against color is stronger in Barbados, ĂŽ than in any other colony, although the colored class of i its population, is numerous, wealthy, and respectable, ' and comprises some of the first merchants of the island. No colored student has yet been admitted within the walls of Codrington College. The public opinion of the colony is powerful, and exercises an unfavorable * See Appendix E. Sec. ii. + See Appendix E. Sec. iii.