264 JAMAICA. 



An officer died here, leaving his wife and feveral children in verj 

 ereat didrefs. No fooner was their unfortunate coadition made 

 known, than relieved by private contributions amounting to a very 

 large fum. Another officer's widow, in fomewhat fimilar circum- 

 ilances, except that (he^was left unincumbered with a family, met 

 with the like generous fupport. And here I muft not pafs over a 

 flill more ftriking anecdote of this amiable difpofition. 1 fliall re- 

 late it faithfully as near as I can recolleft. A certain planter, 

 liaving taken offence at the behaviovn- of his fon, refolved to difin- 

 herit him. He accordingly devifed away the whole of his eftate 

 to a gentleman of diflinftion in the country, for whom he enter- 

 tained a particular efteem ; and foon afterwards died. The devifee 

 was furprized and Ihocked when the will was fliewn to him. He 

 fent for tlie young man; and, upon his arrival, delivered into his 

 hands a deed which he had jufl: executed, reconveying to him all 

 his paternal eftate, adding to this effeft ; " Your father meant to 

 *' be my friend ; it is my duty to be yours. I give you back his 

 " eftate ; it is now yours by jufl inlieritance : go and enjoy it; and 

 «« be affined that you may always depend on my befi: fervices and 

 ** advice fo long as your future condud: fhall entitle you to claim 

 *' them." An admirable example this of refined virtue and prin- 

 ciple, untainted with felfifli or mercenary bafenefs. Though 

 fimply no more than the effufion of a mind controuled by juftice, 

 humanity, and moral reditude; yet, in this age of callous ve- 

 nality, it deferves to be applauded as an a£l of felf-denial, not very 

 commonly met with in other parts of the world. Without mul- 

 tiplying fuch narratives, 1 (hall only declare, that Iknow but very 

 few natives of the ifland, among the clafs of gentlemen, who, in 

 the like cafe, would not have aded in the fame truly noble 

 manner. 



Some years ago, feveral new fettlers, who had arrived in confe- 

 quence of different ads paffed for their encouragement, were bound, 

 hy an exprefs condition, that, after the expiration of the firft fe- 

 ven years, they ffiould be obliged to re-imburfe the treafury for 

 the expence of their pafTage, and a twelvemonth's fubfiftence ad- 

 vanced upon their firft coming over. In 1749, there were fifty of 

 them found indebted to the public, on this account, no lefs 

 I than 



