ROOIv II. CFIAP. Xni. 283 



ftrongcr than may be expeded tVom tlie ordinary u hitc domefl-tcs : 

 at lead, the inhabitanrs of the ifland feem to be of this opinion; 

 for thofe gentlemen, wliorc ample fortunes admit rlieir aFordlii;^ 

 the expence of importing and maintaining white fervants, inclinu 

 iinivcrfally to prefer the Bhicks ; nor wiii thcv, I beheve, ever 

 \vi(h to incrcafc popuhuion, and frrengthen their fecuritv, by tl^e 

 introduction of Enghfh valets and frifleurs into their families; the 

 debauched morals, and diiVoIute praftices of this race of men, 

 would do more hurt among the Blacks bj the force of example, 

 than their ability for defending the country could do good. The 

 iort of men, be(l: qualified for increafing the number of Whites, arc 

 the Ibber, frugal, and indudrious artilicers ; together with the 

 poorer farmers and graziers, a hardy uleful people, and mofl fit 

 for occupying the unfettled delarts, and changing the woods and 

 wildernefles into flouri(hing paftures and plantation.s. 



But to return to what concerns t!ie ladies. Scandal and goflip- 1 

 ing are in vogue here as well as in other countries. A natural vi- 

 vacity and openneis of temper are apt to betray the unguarded 

 into little indifcrctions, which are fumetimes diligently aggravated 

 and blackened with the tongue of malevolence and envy. Yet few 

 are more irreproachable in their adions than the Creole women : 

 they err more in trivial follies, and cajirices unreftrained, than in 

 the guilt of real vice. And, it" we confider how forcibly the warmth 

 of this climate mull: co- operate with natural inflinft to rouze the 

 pafllons, we ought to regard chaftity here as no mean effort of fe- 

 male fortitude ; or, at lealf, judge not too rigidly of thofe lapfes 

 which happen through the venial frailty and weaknefs of human 

 nature. They have not yet learned thofe artifices and difguifes 

 which women of the world can afl'ume when they pleafe to veil 

 their fentiments and condu^Sl. Their g'liety inclines them to be 

 fond of drefs, balls, and company ; and, confidering the fmall circle 

 of public diverfions in this iiland, it is not furpriling that they 

 fhould feek to gratify their inclinations by every hvely amulement 

 of this fort that prefents itfelf I muft add, that they poflefs fome 

 (hare of vanity and pride ; and that fome few join to the latter an 

 high and over-bearing fpirit, which, not having been duly checked 

 in their infancy, is apt to vent itfelf in turbulent fits of rage and 



O o 2 clamour, 



