44
ANTIGUA.
schools and other institutions for their benefit. He told us that when be came from St. Vincent's, eight years ago, he was much struck with the superiority of the Antigua negros, in aspect, dress, and manners. 3rd.—We attended this morning the Police Office in St. John's. The cases were principally for assault and battery, and breach of contract ; with recrimina tory complaints of abuse, disorderly conduct, &c. The decisions of the magistrates were just and impar tial, and the penalties lenient. Some of the cases were serious ; others of a very trifling character. The ap peal to the magistrate, is a privilege, of which perhaps the emancipated portion of the community avail them selves on too trifling occasions. This remark does not however, apply to the agricultural population ; in their case a counterpart observation may be made on their superiors. We called in the afternoon at the mission station of the Brethren. The minister was engaged in receiving and paying money, on account of his Benefit Societies. In addition to the sums disbursed for sickness, one man received a dollar for a sheep, which had died, and another, half a dollar for a pig ; a new example of the modes in which the principle of mutual assistance is carried out in these generous institutions. We went afterwards to the school-room, where we found the teacher engaged with three or four negros, whom he teaches to write on the Saturday. They were fine in telligent men. One of them told us, that notwithstand ing the hard times, and dearness of provisions, " he praised God every day for freedom." On the estate on which he lived, the people were never taken before the magistrate, or their wages cliecked, unless there was cause for it. The old people, however, were not