Picture of the slave-trade-Rev. Mr. Brydges's advocacy of slavery on religious grounds-Answer to—First curse of slavery-Jewish value of slaves—A father claiming his own son for his apprentice—The son the slave-owner of Working of the apprenticeship system in Jamaica- Early condition of negroes-Evidences of contented state of negroes-List of the principal rebellions—Rebellion of 1832—Cause of—Cost of subduing it-Exculpation of missionaries—The new Act, 1834–Preparations for its operation-Progress and prospects of Difficulties it has to encounter-Cause of — Deaths and resignations of Working of Abolition Bill continued--Present oppo- sition to it-Local magistracy-Overseers—Constitution of courts of law-Outrages on negroes since the 1st of August -Dismissal of a Colonel of militia—Gratitude of negroes -Opposition of the Kingston corporation to new measure - Judicial proceedings against negroes— Conduct of a corporation magistrate - Assault on special magistrate- Cause of resignation–Testimonials from the Marquis of A correspondent from a lunatic asylum-The person immured for his political opinions-His application for his Yellow fever-General opinion of its nature and treat- ment-Question of its being contagious—Influenced by Slavery in America-Colonization Society-Scene in TWELVE MONTHS IN THE WEST IND I E S. LETTER XXII. THE CELEBRATION OF THE FIRST OF AUGUST. 'To Dr. Rich ARDSON. Kingston, August 6, 1834. My dear Sir, Events that have been long anticipated are generally stript of their importance by the time of their occurrence; like those structures we have seen, whose wondrous magnitude has been so long the theme of admiration, that, when we gaze on them at last, we find our astonishment surpassed by our expectations. In all the events, political or otherwise, that man looks forward to; in all the marvels ; of art or nature, that his enthusiasm pauses at the sight of, for the fruition of his preconceived enjoy VOL. II. А : ment, “ blessed indeed is he who expects least, for he shall not be disappointed.” From the day the Abolition Bill was passed, the Ist of August was looked forward to with intense interest; with extravagant hopes by one party, and groundless apprehensions by the other. The Ides of August, however, are come,---and, what is more, they are passed, and not a single riot occurred throughout the island, and not a single man, woman, or child, was butchered to make a negro holiday. This conduct of the great unchained was very provoking, to be sure; for a great many prophecies were to be fulfilled on the 1st of August, “or thereabouts," as Mr. Moore would say: but, somehow or another, the predictions have not been accomplished ; and, unfortunately for the prophetic character of the Cobbetts of Jamaica, they are never likely to be accomplished. The House of Assembly judiciously decided that the 1st of August should be a holiday, and the negroes were recommended to observe it as a day of prayer and thanksgiving. All the sectarian places of worship were accordingly thrown open, and they were thronged with the negroes to an unprecedented extent; but I regret to say that, for some reasons which to nie are unknown, divine service was not performed in the Protestant churches in this town. In a former work, I have spoken unfavourably of the success attending the labours of the sectarian |