University of Virginia Library

JANUARY 8.

I really believe that the negresses can produce children at pleasure; and where they are barren, it is just as hens will frequently not lay eggs on ship-board, because they do Dot like their situation. Cubina's wife is in the family way, and I told him that if the child should live I would christen it for him, if he wished it. " Tank you, kind massa, me like it very much: much oblige if massa do that for me too." So I promised to baptize the father and the baby on the same day, and said that I would be godfather to any children that might be born on the estate during my residence in Jamaica. This was soon spread about, and although I have not yet been here a week, two women we in the straw already, Jug Betty and Minerva: the first is wife to my bead driver, the Duke of Stilly; but my sense of propriety was much gratified at finding that Minerva's husband was called Captain.

In my evening' s drive I met the negroes returning from the mountains, with baskets of provisions sufficient to last them for the week. By law they are only allowed every other Saturday or the purpose of cultivating their own grounds, which, indeed, is sufficient ; but by giving them every alternate Saturday into the bargain, it enables them to perform their task with so much 61W as almost converts it into an amusement; and the frequent visiting their grounds makes them grow habitually as much attached to them as they are to their houses and gardens. It is also adviseable for them to bring home only a week's provisions at-is time, rather than a fortnight's ; for they are so thoughtless and improvident, that, when they find themselves in possession of a larger supply than is requisite for their immediate occasions, they will sell half to the wandering higglers, or at Savannah la Mar, in exchange for spirits ; and then, at the end of the week, they find themselves entirely unprovided with food, and come to beg a supply from the master's storehouse.

The sensitive plant is a great nuisance in Jamaica: it overruns, and, being armed with very strong sharp prickels it wounds the mouths of the cattle, and, in some places,

makes it quite impossible for them to feed. Various endeavours have been made to eradicate this inconvenient weed, but none, as yet have proved effectual.