SFBITKBAX VILLAGES. 53 



rock through the hill, as if for the purpose of obstructing by 

 an artificial chasm the approach to the fort by a hostile land 

 force from the north. In this dee]) gorge there is a long high 

 flight of stone steps, which are dignified by the name of ''The 

 Queen's Staircase." It is an interesting spot and much visited. 



Back of Nassau, over the hill, towards the west is Delancy's 

 Town — a suburb of the city occupied by colored people ; Grant's 

 Town and Baine's Town lie also back of the city below and beyond 

 the crest of the hill, but are further to the east. 



These suburban villages are inhabited largely by manumitted 

 slaves and the descendants of those who have been enfranchised. 

 Some, it is said, still use their native African dialects, and har- 

 bor some of their old superstitions. We frequently visited these 

 suburbs, and were always much interested in their teeming popu- 

 lation, huddled together around their humble dwellings, sit- 

 ting upon the rocks, or leaning upon the rude division and front 

 walls of their village lots. With no corroding cares, no trouble- 

 some anxieties about to-morrow, and no Avants not easily supplied, 

 they seemed more to be envied than many of the tired toilers in 

 colder climes. Excepting the divers, we saw none of the 

 " nearly naked negroes " that others have described. Once while 

 sailing I)efore a good breeze, a boat passed that was sculled by a 

 small boy, whose costume consisted only of a shirt, or, as a lady 

 very forcibly expressed it, " two sheets in the wind, or one flying." 

 liis diminutive size, ebony complexion and comical attitude, 

 self-satisfied air and '' ascension robe," contrasted strikingly with 

 the size of his boat, the dignity and gravity of his passengers, 

 the clear and exquisitely beautiful water, and the green back- 

 ground of Hog Island, Avhose southern shore he was approaching. 

 But little money is, however, spent for dry goods, and many are 

 barefooted, while the poor apologies for shoes which others have, 

 make it impossible for them to walk except with a noisy, shuffling 



