The West indies in 1837

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182

JAMAICA.

wliich is supported chiefly at the expense of a society of ladies in England. There were ninety children present, many of whom were the colored offspring of overseers. There were at one time in this school, four or five children of a late Governor, the Duke of M A N ­ CHESTER ; and one of its present teachers is the daugh­ ter of the Duke's celebrated secretary BULLOCK. Her freedom was purchased some years ago, by the English patronesses of the school. The dreadful state of social disorganization in Jamaica, is legibly written even on the surface of society. Its " bad eminence," is doubtless to be attributed, in part, to the corrupting influence of the long administration of the above-men­ tioned Governor. The matron of the school shewed us some nice specimens of plain and ornamental needle­ work. We also heard several classes read, and ex­ amined them in spelling and arithmetic. The children were neatly dressed and very clean. Many of them are apprentices ; of whom fourteen colored girls are sent by their attorney from a single estate in the neighbour­ hood. They are intended to become teachers of estates' schools. There are five young women employed as teachers, two of whom conduct the school, and the others are qualifying themselves to fill the same station elsewhere. Several of them manifest great energy and ability, and their system of management is well adapted to ensure order and constant attention. At the word of command, the girls perform various me­ chanical exercises with their hands ; and rise, turn, and resume their seats, or form classes, with instan­ taneous promptitude. J. M. P H I L U P O told us, that on the first establishment of the school, he had thought it impossible to conduct it without an European teacher ; but that some of the colored teachers have proved


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