ETHNOGRAPHY. 157 



allow, much less to encourage, any one class of colonist to arro- 

 gate to itself a superiority over the rest. Mere difference of 

 origin, or religion, or of social habits, should not be permitted to 

 raise barriers between different sections of the community ; still 

 less should they form an excuse for hedging in a few as a 

 superior caste. 



No matter whence their ancestors came (and many of them 

 can point to most respectable connections in the Old World), the 

 descendants of the first settlers in Trinidad cannot forget that 

 their fathers were the pioneers of civilisation in the island ; 

 that the dense wild forest was first cleared by their energy and 

 perseverance ; and that there was a time when they had their 

 full share of influence in the affairs of the colony. They form, 

 even now, the great majority of the resident proprietary body, 

 and as such have every claim to be treated with consideration, 

 instead of being looked down upon by those who, at least, are 

 but transient residents. 



It is not, perhaps, unnatural that those who consider them- 

 selves as the English par excellence should deem ascendancy and 

 the largest share of the loaves and fishes their birthright ; but it 

 does not by any means follow that they are right in their pre- 

 tensions. They should do well to remember what has occurred 

 in other dependencies of Great Britain which once owed alle- 

 giance to other flags. 



Whenever an attempt has been made to establish a spurious 

 aristocracy of nationality, the result has invariably been disunion, 

 jealousy, and disappointment. But should they rest content 

 with the traditions of our own colony, they may find that even 

 in their own days such attempt, though successful for a time, 

 was eventually defeated, although carried on by men superior to 

 them in position, in talent, and, above all, in personal influence. 

 Let us toil together in peace, and side by side ; it will be for the 

 advantage of all. 



The entire population of the island, according to the census 

 taken on the first of April, 1881, was estimated at 153,128 ^ 

 souls, of which 83,716 were males and 69,412 females. It was 

 classed as follows : Under ten years, 32,724; from ten to twenty, 

 27,717; twenty to forty, 59,994; forty to sixty, 25,673; sixty 

 to upwards, 5,577 ; not described, 1,443. 



In 1871 the population amounted to 109,638, of which \y 



