Antigua and the Antiguans Volume II Part 9

oh, n.o.ble son of Ham! hadst thou lived in the days when Jupiter and his train peopled bright Olympus, undoubtedly thou wouldst have been turned into a constellation as a reward for thy ingenuity!

Among the grooms and "house-boys" (as the Antiguans call their domestic men-servants) there are also some to be met with who have a fair character for general good behaviour, but they are rare instances-seldom found. The greater part of the grooms are too fond of galloping their masters' horses, (a practice common with most negroes, who will ride almost as soon as they can walk;) and with respect to the latter-mentioned cla.s.s, indolence and prevarication form (as we have already seen) too often the predominant traits in their character.

Another peculiarity among this tribe is the freedom with which they address their employers. This has even increased, if anything, since emanc.i.p.ation; for now they are free, they appear to think themselves upon an equality with the highest in the land. They condescend, it is true, to take your money, but at the same time seem to think it a degradation to do your work. If it is necessary to find fault with any part of their conduct, they generally return a saucy answer, or else make this rejoinder- "Bery well, as we can't agree, we best part; me no care to hire meself out again;" and immediately collecting their different articles together, (including, perhaps, some belonging to their master or mistress, of course by mistake!) away they go, and the only plan you can adopt is, to procure another domestic in their place, who, perhaps, acts even worse.

I would not wish to be thought unreasonably prepossessed in favour of my own country-people, but, conscientiously speaking, I have never met with one black domestic who acts with the same degree of propriety as most of the English servants do. If you keep them at their proper distance, they become dissatisfied, and complain of your being harsh to them; if, on the contrary, you shew them any degree of attention, and try to make their situation as comfortable as possible, they then a.s.sume too much, and entirely forget the difference of rank. Try to serve them, and it is ten chances to one you make them your enemy; do them ninety-nine favours, and refuse the hundredth, and you are reviled and blamed as if you had injured them.

An old English gentleman, who had spent the greater part of his life in Antigua, and who has several hundreds of these people under his control, used to say, that "the worse you behave to a negro, the better he behaves to you." This is a doctrine, however, which I do not admit, let the negro character be as defective as it may.

Oh! slavery, slavery! when will all the train of evils thou hast originated cease? when will thy pestilential influence be abolished in these beautiful, but (I must add it) crime-stained islands? Another and another generation will have to pa.s.s away ere prejudice is no more-ere suspicion is lulled to sleep, before the servant will learn to look up to his master as his protector, and the master view without distrust the services of his domestic, and find in him an humble friend.

CHAPTER XLII.

Negroes: Employment of the women-Washing-A scene at the pond- Conversations-The sea-side-"Water frolic"-Hucksters-"Damaged flour"-Female porters-Masculine appearance of some of the females-Indelicacy-Their mode of carrying burdens.

Having given a short sketch of the manner in which the generality of the negro-men employ their time, it will be proper also to mention the occupation of the females. Many of these still follow the employment to which they have been habituated from their youth, the cultivation of the sugar-cane. But others, although used to it in their days of slavery, now they have become free, look upon it as degrading; and therefore, quitting the estates to which they formerly belonged, and all the privileges incident to their country-life, they hire a small house in some of the alleys or outskirts of the capital, and there take up their abode. Among this cla.s.s of women, washing and huckstering are the princ.i.p.al employments; and it is from the profits arising from these means that they are enabled to bring up their daughters in comparative idleness, and send them forth on Sundays dressed in the ridiculous style I have already described.

It may not be deemed superfluous to remark how differently _washing_ is conducted in Antigua to the mode pursued in England.

There, among the good housewives who preside over such ablutions, it generally occasions gloom and discontent, particularly if the weather proves foul when the _water frolic_ takes place; in that case (as the song says)-

"The very kittens on the hearth, They dare not even play; But away they jump, with many a thump, Upon a washing day."

But in this country, where blue skies and sun-shiny days predominate, the case is quite the reverse.

Groups of washerwomen may be seen in the morning with large bundles of clothes upon their heads, their half-naked "pic'nees"

clinging round their hips, and similarly accoutred little urchins running by their side, wending their way to some of the ponds near the outskirts of the town. When arrived at the place favourable for such sports or occupations, their bundles are first put down, their youngest children placed upon the ground with one of larger growth to watch over it, their own dress properly arranged, and then the business of the day commences.

The clothes are thrown into the pond, and allowed to remain there until completely saturated with water; they are then taken out, placed upon large stones, (which are generally to be found about such spots,) and holding a piece of wood (in shape like a cricket-bat, which they call a beetle) in their hands, they commence pounding the articles with all their might, utterly regardless of loss of b.u.t.tons, causing large rents, or any other _et cetera_ which may chance to happen. When they think the clothes are sufficiently _washed_, (if that term can be applied to this operation,) they are again steeped in the pond, rinsed out, and then spread along the ground, to imbibe the heat of the glaring sun.

All the time the labour of the hands is going on, the tongue is by no means idle. The news of the island is discussed; dress, dances, and religion, descanted on; and the songs upon individuals (already alluded to) composed. One party of staid matrons commence a conversation. "You no go prayers last night; bery well; ma.s.sa miss yo-why yo no go? Don't you 'member what G.o.dmodder (as they call their leaders in the Moravian society) say 'bout aunty Nanny, 'cause she no go get her speak last time?[34] Well! sure the Lor' he one good Lor', (what you keep bawling so for, you cross pic'nee, eh?-me no gee you one cane to suck, you good-for-noting you!" addressed by way of parenthesis to a little crawling _black-a-moor_, who, unable to gain its mother's attention by more pleasing means, is compelled to raise its 'importunate call;') yes, me dear sister, de Lor' one good Lor', and ma.s.sa parson talk all good talk." Another party of giddy, laughing girls, chatter away in a different strain. "I say, Ange', (Angelina,) you see dem _challis_ se (sister) Eleanor hab selling last week? Well, I buy one, only it no make yet, 'cause I no get money 'nough to buy de black lace to trim it.

I'se wants to hab it make like dat buckra lady's frock, she as come from England the oder day."-"No, me no seed em; me buy one robe dress Christmas gone. But did you hear 'bout se Margate?"-"No; war 'bout she?"-"Eh! eh! you no hear. Why, last night she war coming home past were de old play-house used to 'tan, when just as she get close de wall, dere she see one big ole jumby man-ugly so! most kill her, she so frighten. Bery well!

she try to run, but he old jumby knock her down, fall to lick (_flog_) her in such a manner dat she hab feber all last night."-"Eh! eh! poor Margate! you b'lieve me, me no tink me dare go by de ole play-house at night den."

With conversations such as these they endeavour to lighten their labours; and during the time the clothes are drying, some form themselves into parties, and dance on the greensward to the music of their own voices; others nurse their little children, or boil their lunch (gipsy fashion;) while the more idle ones stretch themselves upon the gra.s.s, and sleep away the hours until the cleansed garments are perfectly dry, when they collect their different articles, and march off to their respective dwellings in the same manner as they came.[35]

As remarked at the commencement of this chapter, among those black women resident in the capital, are to be found an immense number of hucksters; indeed, in every street, at every corner, they are to be met with. These persons deal in different articles; some in cloth of various fabrics, threads, tapes, laces, &c.; some in salt-fish, corn-meal, (the flour from the Indian corn,) rice, &c.; and others in fruits, vegetables, soap and candles. Some of these hucksters occupy small shops of about fourteen feet square, (which, by the bye, in most cases they are obliged to use as their sleeping, dining, and dressing room as well,) where they vend their different wares; while others frequent the markets, or walk about the town or country with their goods. These people purchase their goods from the retailers upon a larger scale, or else buy them at an auction sale, of which there are sometimes three or four in a day, at the different merchant's stores.

There is one peculiarity attending these small dealers, which is worthy of note-this is, the great love they have for buying "damaged flour," supposing they will be sure to get a bargain.

Upon this account, it is common among some merchants, when they are about to dispose of this commodity by public auction, to term it "damaged," when perhaps the only appearance of such mischance is, that the barrel is a little dirty. It has been often known for one of these sullied barrels to bring a larger amount than a better article, simply because it was put up as damaged.

Many of these women do nothing else but walk about to the different sales all day, in hopes of meeting with bargains, leaving the management of their shop (if they have one) to their children. When an article is put up, they bid in pounds and shillings, of which they have no conception; the consequence of which is, that when they retire from the sale, and get some friend to add it up in _dollars_ and _bitts_, (current coins,-the _dollar_ 4s. sterling, the _bitt_ 4d.,) they become alarmed at the amount of their purchases; and as there is no auction duty to be paid by them, they will not return for the articles, and consequently the merchant is obliged to bear the loss.

Some of the females work as porters, hire themselves to mix mortar for bricklayers, or even dig wells, (or springs as they are termed in this country,) and clean out ponds. Many of the negro women, particularly those who live in the country, and are employed in agriculture, are so very masculine in their voice, manners, and appearance, that it is at times a matter of doubt to say to which s.e.x they belong. This may be attributed to the general system of treatment during slavery: they were required to work the same as the men; and when punishment was thought necessary, no regard was paid to their feelings, but their persons were equally exposed as those of the other s.e.x. Of course, these proceedings in time rendered them callous, and in the end, divested them of all those principles of modesty which are so great an ornament to the feminine character, whether in a high or low condition of life. The manner in which they were accustomed to dress during their ordinary employments tended in great measure to have this effect. A petticoat of coa.r.s.e linseywoolsey, or blue check, with a short jacket of similar materials, const.i.tuted the chief part of their covering; and even this was put on so carelessly, that frequently the upper part of their persons was left quite bare. While employed in their daily avocations, it is customary to tie up their garments almost-if not quite-as high as their knees; and even when walking about the streets of the capital, if it is rather wet weather, the same degree of indelicacy is practised. All these causes combined, tend to lessen the women in the eyes of strangers; although the Creoles appear to see no indecorum in their style of dress, or manners.

Most negroes appear to be possessed of great strength, and will carry immense loads, the women as well as the men. The head is the part appropriated by the negroes to bear their burdens. They carry tables, heavy boxes, boards, barrels, and similar articles, in this manner; and if they want to convey a cup or a bottle, it is placed in the same exalted situation. The very little children, of perhaps not more than three or four years old, will also place a calabash of water, or a bottle of rum, upon their heads, and trip along without holding it in the slightest manner.

[34] A religious ordinance among the Moravians.

[35] In Barbados, the negroes make a little difference in their mode of washing. Going down to the sea-side, they make use of the sea-water, and then spreading them upon the sand, sprinkle them occasionally with the briny fluid. When (during a short visit to that island) I saw them thus employed, it recalled forcibly to my mind the description of the Princess "Nausicaa" in "Pope's Homer's Odyssey," who at the command of Pallas went to wash the robes of state in the "mazy waters."

"Then emulous the royal robes they lave, And plunge the vestures in the cleansing wave; (The vestures cleansed o'erspread the sh.e.l.ly sand, Their snowy l.u.s.tre whitens all the strand.)"

CHAPTER XLIII.

Negroes: Exterior appearance-Difference of expression-White negroes (Albinos)-Description of one-Black and white negroes- Negroes' "bulls and blunders"-Exchange is no robbery, or the lost specimens-Negro politeness-Negro tongue-Inebriation- Concluding remarks

It is now necessary to make some mention of the exterior appearance of this large bulk of the population of Antigua, the blacks. As most persons are aware, the distinguishing features of the negro tribe are thick lips and flat noses, to which peculiarities may be added, their black and woolly hair; but that there are no exceptions to be met with is an incorrect statement.

Even among the Africans themselves, some intelligent countenances and expressive features are to be found, while many of the Antiguan _Creole negroes_ are what may be termed very good-looking. High and well-formed foreheads, black and sparkling eyes, aquiline noses, and lips with only a slight pout, are not uncommon. I would not, however, presume to a.s.sert that these pleasing outlines predominate; on the contrary, a great many of the negroes are very ill-favoured, approximating to what may be called hideous; and this is heightened when, in contrast to their ebon skins, is presented the snowy hair of old age, or when suffering from that dreadful disease, the _elephantiasis_. Many, again, are exactly like an ape, only, perhaps, they have not so much animation in their countenances; while others, from their thick, sullen-looking features, their over-hanging eyebrows, white, gleaming tusks, and faces more than half covered with hair, give no bad picture of "Master Bruin."

It has been remarked by many persons, that they could not distinguish one black person from another. A short time spent among them shews you, however, that this is not the case, there being, in reality, as much difference in personal appearance as there is between the natives of England, although, from their dusky hue, it is not so perceptible at first sight. This dissimilarity consists, not only in features, but also in complexion. Some of the negroes are black as "the ebon throne of night," or the drear raven's wing, others present a kind of "reddening gloom;" while many have that wan, _spectral_ appearance, that you may fancy them suffering in the early stage of the _black jaundice_.

There have been instances in this island of Albinos being born among the negroes; one, in particular, of the appropriate name of "Wonder," belonging to an estate called "Mayers," astonished all who beheld him. He was said to be as repelling in temper as he was in person. One of these prodigies of nature was introduced to me during my stay in the West Indies, and so extraordinary was his appearance, that I cannot refrain from giving a short description of him. In person he was rather tall and slender; his complexion was of the colour of chalk and water, and no tinge of carnation was to be found either in his lips, cheeks, or gums.

His hair, which, like that of all negroes, was short and woolly, was perfectly white, as also his eyebrows and eyelashes; these last were very long and thick, and completely shaded his eyes. Of this member, the iris was of a very light grey, while what is called the white of the eye, or more properly, the _albuginea_, presented a yellow tinge; and, from the manner in which he screened his eyes with his arm when looking up, he must have possessed a defective vision. Although he was not absolutely ugly, yet his appearance was such as to cause an involuntary repugnance. The person who introduced this strange creature to my notice acquainted me that he was of a very crabbed temper; but at this I was not afterwards at all surprised, for wherever he went, he was a matter of wonder and dislike, and every little negro called after him as he pa.s.sed along, "You see dat white nager?- well, me no like to be one white nager, me sure!"

It is said that these "Albinos," or "Dendos," as the negroes call them, cannot see during the middle of the day, but that at night their vision is so particularly clear, that they can see to pick up the smallest object.[36]

There have also been instances of a negro being born _black and white_ in Antigua; his parents were both black people, as were the progenitors of "Wonder," whom I have already mentioned. Dame Nature does play strange freaks at times; and surely when she formed these white and "black and white" negroes, she must have been in one of her most sportive humours.

Many of the negroes have very good figures; but the a.s.sertion of some authors, that there is scarcely ever a deformed person to be met with among them, is as untrue as it is ridiculous. I profess not to be a connoisseur in anatomical beauty, or to know the just criterion as to what the human shape ought to be, but with regard to this people, very many of them are anything but perfect in their organization. One very perceptible defect is, their bodies being longer in proportion than their legs; and in many instances, these last-named members have a strong inclination to _turn in_, or _turn out_;-in plain English, to be _bandy-legged_.

This latter blemish may, perhaps, be attributed to the manner in which the women carry their children during infancy: leaning upon one side, they place the child upon the protruding hip, with its little legs clinging around their body, which posture, in time, causes those limbs to _bow_ out. This plan of carrying children is not only commonly practised with their own offspring, but when engaged as nurses in respectable families they use their little charge to the same awkward custom, so that if you lift a Creole child, it immediately clings round you in the manner described.

The negroes, like the Irish, are famed for their "bulls and blunders," in ill.u.s.tration of which, many an anecdote is related.

During the period that Sir James Leith was residing in Antigua, as governor of the Leeward Islands, he was very indefatigable in his geological researches, for which Antigua affords an ample field. Upon one occasion, his excellency had been labouring very hard to collect from the bosom of "Mother Earth" specimens which only a geologist can properly appreciate; and with a well-filled bag of them, entrusted to the care of a negro servant, he left the scene of his toils to refresh his animal spirits with some of the _good things_ of this life. To ensure the safety of his favourite specimens, the negro was despatched with them to "Dows Hill," (the place where the governor then resided,) with strict injunctions to make the best of his way, and carefully deposit his load in his excellency's study until they could be properly arranged.

After receiving his orders, and well poising his load upon his back, the man started upon his journey. The weather was very sultry, and the way was very long; the bag was very heavy, and poor _blacky_ was very tired. Still he plodded on "his weary way," stopping only now and then to dash the flowing perspiration from his brow, and had arrived within a mile of his home, when he was suddenly joined by a friend. "Eh, buddy! (brother) why you loaded true! War you got in that great big bag?" "'Tornes, (stones,) me friend." "'Tornes! why war you go do wid dem all, eh?" "Me no no. Ma.s.sa gubbunor gib me dem to _fetch_ home, but me no no war he go do wid dem; me no dem well heaby though." "Well, if eber me hear de like! for one somebody to go haul all dem 'tornes sich a long way, when dere plenty ob dem all 'bout 'Dows Hill.' I tell you war me go do if deys gib me dem to carry, me go heabe dem ebery bit away, an when me get to de 'Hill,' fill me bag wid some of dem big 'tornes as stop all 'bout dere-sure one 'torne as good as anoder." "'Tank'e, me friend, me neber think ob dat me sure; but if you just help me down wid dem, me soon do war you tell me."

No sooner said than done; the splendid specimens were thrown away without compunction, and the negro, who found it much easier to march with an empty bag than with his former load, sped on his way joyfully. At the bottom of "Dows Hill" he stopped, and once more replenished his bag with the rough stones, which liberally bestrewed the pathway, choosing the largest for the purpose.

These he safely conveyed to his master's study, carefully shut the door, and left them. The surprise and consternation of the governor when, upon inspecting, as he thought, his hard-earned specimens, he found only a heap of useless rubbish-the interrogations he addressed to his servant, and the ludicrous answers of the negro,-are matters for the imagination to dwell upon.

It is customary with many store-keepers in this island to wash the outside of their stores or shops, yellow, or some other colour. Should this take the fancy of a negro as he pa.s.ses, he immediately exclaims-"Ah, me like dat, ma.s.sa's 'tore really look gran; he whitewash he yellow, an make he stop quite good, de trute!"

With regard to the negro tongue, much cannot be said for its purity; the Creole negroes speak a dialect bad enough, but the Africans' is almost unintelligible. There is one peculiarity in their mode of speech very remarkable-the making use of only one gender. For example:-if they speak of a female, or any inanimate object, they invariably say _he_; thus, if a woman is speaking of her sister, she says, "_he_, my sissy;" or of something that particularly attracts their notice, they exclaim-"_he_ one handsome house," or "_he_ one gran' carriage."

They have also particular ways to designate persons of all ages among themselves; their old women they call "grandy," those of a middle age "aunte," while the younger women are nominated "see,"

or "sissy." In the same manner, the old men go by the t.i.tle of "daddy," the middle-aged "uncle," and the young men "buddy." In conversation they seldom p.r.o.nounce the "s," "th," or "y;" thus, if they want to say "story," it is "'tory," or "the," it is "de,"