BEA TUETLES RESIG^S-ED. NEGROES HAPPY. 119 



One turtle we particularly examined. It had then recently 

 been taken from the water, weighed fifty-seven pounds, was alive 

 and fat, and was soon, in the form of soups and steaks, to grace 

 the tables of the dining-room. This huge reptile, (though quite 

 an infant compared with some of the same species), while he 

 must have had some vague suspicions of the cruel fate in store 

 for him, and was turned over upon his back so that he could not 

 crawl away, and rudely punched to wake him up and to see if he 

 was fat, seemed perfectly contented and happy. 



A large number of servants of both sexes were employed in and 

 about the Victoria Hotel, yet there was no jarring, scolding, com- 

 plaining or quarreling. Some were grave, but none appeared sad 

 or discontented. Light hearted and good natured, polite and re- 

 spectful, attentive and faithful, they performed the tasks assigned 

 them in a very unexceptional manner. Petulant and unreason- 

 able complaints did not disturb their equanimity or elicit tart 

 replies. When a number were assembled to perform some labor 

 in common, they lightened their tasks by finely singing with 

 rich musical voices sacred songs. They were never, boisterous, 

 and ever exhibited a respectful deference and a politeness which 

 was the more agreeable because unstudied and natural. 



We seldom heard in any of the suburbs of Nassau, teeming as 

 they do with colored people, a harsh or jjrofane word ; we never 

 there witnessed a fight, nor do we remember to have heard a 

 child cry. When sailing on one occasion, Ave heard some loud 

 unpleasant talk between two white men, near a public dock, 

 each on board and apparently in command of a vessel. Finally 

 one said to the other — " Now look'er here ! If you get me mad 

 I'm going to wrestle, or run, or do something !" This old salt 

 had evidently breathed the air of the Bahamas for some time. 



It seemed to us while in Nassau that if Ave had any enemies 

 any Avhere in the Avide Avorld that it was a good time to heartily 



