'' THE convent:' 249 



cliildren, i>-ave in 18r)7 a hiG^lier education to 120 qiiis of the 

 middle and upper classes, and the number has much in- 

 creased since then. It is impossible to doubt that this 

 Convent has been " a blessing to the colony." At the very 

 time when, just after slavery was abolished, society through- 

 out the island was in the greatest peril, these good ladies 

 came to supply a want which, under the peculiar circum- 

 stances of Trinidad, could only have been supplied by the 

 self-sacrifice of devoted women. The Convent has not only 

 spread instruction and religion among the wealthier coloured 

 class : but it has done more ; it has been a centre of true 

 civilization, purity, virtue, where one was but too much 

 needed ; and has preserved, doubtless, hundreds of young 

 creatures from serious harm ; and that without interfering in 

 any wise, I should think, with their duty to their parents. 

 On the contrary, many a mother in Port of Spain must have 

 found in the Convent a protection for her daughters, better 

 than she herself could give, against influences to which she 

 herself had been but too much exposed during the evil days 

 of slavery ; influences .which are not yet, alas 1 extinct in 

 Port of Spain. Creoles will understand my words ; and will 

 understand too, why I, I'rotestant though I am, bid heartily 

 God speed to the good ladies of St. Joseph. 



To the Anglican clergy, meanwhile, whom 1 met in the 

 West Indies, 1 am bound to offer my thanks, not for courtesies 



