23^ JAMAICA. 



of the governor's court of ordinary, for better preventing furrcp- 

 titious marringes of orphans, or minors ; affidavits, in fuch cafes^ 

 are required to be filed of the guardian's confent ; without which, 

 the governor does not ufually grant a licence. Formerly, the 

 cuftom in thefe iflands was, to be married by the juftices of the 

 peace ; for in tliofe days a clergyman was not always at hand. The 

 lame practice Itill fublifts, as I am informed, at the Mofquito fliore, 

 and fome of the other dependencies. And it is certain, that a mar- 

 riage, celebrated hi this manner in Jamaica, even now, if according 

 to the form of words in our liturgy, would be valid in law, and 

 lupport the right to dower or thirds. The Jamaica law reftrains 

 none from performing the ceremony, except minifters not qualified 

 with the teltimonials before-mentioned; and the penalty, impofed 

 upon others who folemnize without banns or licence, does not tend 

 to declare fuch marriages void. The chaplains of the council and 

 alTembly have a falary, of loo/. each, for reading prayers, every 

 morning during feflion, previous to entering upon bufinefs. They 

 are not called upon, as in England, to preach anniverfliry fermons. 

 Of the character of the clergy in this ifland I fliall fay but little. 

 There have feldom been wanting fome, who were equally refpec- 

 table for their learning, piety, and exemplary good behaviour: 

 others have been deteflable for their addidion to lewdnefs, drinking, 

 gambling, and iniquity ; having no controul, but their own fenfe 

 of the dignity of their function, and the cenfures of the governor. 

 The fcandalous or irreproachable demeanour of many will chiefly 

 depend on their own quality of heart, or that of the commander in 

 chief. If the cloth has fuffered difgrace and contempt from the ac- 

 tions of a few ; we muft neverthelefs confider the major part, 

 worthy the public efteem and encouragement. Some labourers of 

 the Lord's vineyard have at times been fent,\vho were much better 

 qualified to be ret.iilers of falt-fifh, or boatfwains to privateers, than 

 minifters of the Gofpel. It is recorded of a certain rector of one 

 of the towns, that, having the bodies of three deccafed feamen 

 brought to him one day for interment, he thought to make quick 

 work of.it by only one reading of the burlal-fervice. The brother 

 tars,. who attended the folemnity, infifted upon three feveral readings, 

 ill hpnour.of their comrades. The rector was obftinate. Words 



grew 



