160 



TUINIDAD. 



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if incited by friends. He is capable of gratitude and self-devo- 

 tion ; capable also, when required, ol: generous efforts. Being 

 robust and abstemious, be can endure privations and climatic 

 exposure, I will not say with fortitude, but with an apathy that 

 is almost inconceivable. I could say, with some reason, in the 

 year 1856, that few individuals among the emancipated had 

 sensibly progressed; but I can now record that a marked change 

 has been worked since, and if the lowest among them may be 

 said to be still grossly ignorant in respect of their social and 

 religious duties, even of their own true interest, I gladly recog- 

 nise that for the last twenty years the emancipated, as a class, 

 have progressed most satisfactorily. Though inconstant and 

 inconsistent, the African is, nevertheless, susceptible of improve- 

 ment to an extent which, perhaps, has not been fairly tested. 

 He is, I consider, a being of pre-eminently religious feelings ; 

 though defective in the powers of reflection, he is possessed o: 

 quick intelligence. 



The descendants of the emancipated, and young men of 

 colour in general, manifest a strong desire to gain public estima- 

 tion, and look anxiously to social advancement. They are am- 

 bitious of success, and have proved that they can attain it. Not 

 a few occupy respectable positions in the public service. They 

 are particularly anxious to become enlisted in the liberal profes- 

 sions ; and the white Creoles should look to them as not un- 

 worthy antagonists in the field of competition. 



Immigrant Asiatics at present form the great body of our 

 available agricultural population, and are almost the sole resident 

 labourers on sugar and cacao estates. 



The Chinese are few in number — about 500. Of them, as far 

 as observation goes, it may be said that they are stubborn, and 

 prone to suicide ; but they are highly intelligent and discerning, 

 steady labourers, and well versed in the tillage of the soil ; in 

 fact, they may be considered as the best gardeners in the colony. 

 They are those who supply our markets with vegetables. 



The Hindoos, such as I have been able to observe them in 

 the colony, are a mild and timid race, obsequious, wanting in 

 firmness and perseverance, more prudent and wily than energetic: 

 and straightforward. They are intelligent, rather industrious 

 and saving ; more manageable and steady, they are not so robust 

 as the Africans. They have no dislike to agriculture. A dis- 



