The West indies in 1837

Page 195

JAMAICA.

179

lofty ridge, running directly across an immense valley. The pass was so narrow as not to admit of two riding abreast. We breakfasted at the house of an old gen­ tleman of the name of WILES, who was the botanist on Captain BLIGH'S expedition, and came with him to Jamaica, forty-four years ago. He was induced to re­ main by the Assembly, and to undertake the superin­ tendence of the Botanic Garden, formed for the recep­ tion of the plants which they had brought. For many years past he has been a coffee planter, and though now upwards of seventy years old, is in full possession of the powers of an intelligent and well-stored mind. He told us, that the bread fruit tree, has not succeeded so well as had been anticipated. It thrives in moist situations, but never reaches the luxuriant growth of its native climate. The most valuable tree, he said, which has been introduced into Jamaica, in recent times, is the mangoe ; a few plants of which were taken out of a French prize, captured about half a century ago, by Lord RODNEY. It has spread with great rapidity, and is now found in every part of the island; the fruit, which it produces in very great abundance, is dessert for the whites and food for the negros, as well as for cattle, horses, and hogs. Our host had no complaints against his apprentices. We next visited a small estate, on which there were about fifty apprentices, under the care of an over­ seer, who was himself a negro, and had formerly been a slave. He also governed the people with little aid from the magistrate. They had however their troubles, the estate being partly under the superintendence of a white-overseer, on a neighbouring plantation. One of the apprentices with an infant in arms, complained to the magistrate of a brutal assault committed on herself.


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