ETHNOGRAPHY. 177 



still remaining in the island amply proves that, even under un- 

 favourable circumstances, industry, perseverance, and honesty, are 

 the surest means of success ; for many of these emigrants from 

 the Portuguese islands having, by perseverance and economy, 

 accumulated some small capital, and established themselves in the 

 grocery line, are now known as respectable and thriving shop- 

 keepers. Others, again, are employed in the cultivation of 

 vegetables and Guinea-grass in the neighbourhood of the town, 

 or as day labourers ; the latter especially on cacao estates. They 

 are, in general, preferred, not only as being more intelligent, 

 steady, and hard - working, but also as more faithful than the 

 generality of the labourers ; for they regard it as a duty to give. 

 a fair day's work for a fair day's pay. Although foreigners, and 

 almost helpless on their arrival, the majority of the Portuguese 

 settlers are now in better circumstances than the Creoles and the 

 emancipated class, who undoubtedly possessed greater original 

 and local advantages. 



Immigrant Asiatics at present form the great body of our 

 available agricultural population, and are almost the sole resident 

 labourers on sugar or cacao estates. The Coolies are a mild and 

 industrious race, not so robust as the African, but more steady 

 and obedient, and do not seem to entertain any dislike to 

 agriculture. They are highly intelligent, and saving, but they 

 seem to learn and speak foreign languages with difficulty. The 

 African is far their superior in that respect. They are, in 

 general, filthy in their habits, and it is not rare to find, in crowded 

 hovels, men, women, and children indiscriminately herding with 

 their domestic animals ; many, however, have already adopted a 

 better mode of living. 



The Coolies of the Mahometan faith have been found, on the 

 whole, more intelligent, active, industrious, and orderly than those 

 of the Gentoo and other castes of India. Many of the former can 

 read and write, whereas few of the latter can. These Asiatics still 

 adhere to their own peculiar habits and creeds ; they even con- 

 tinue, with rare exceptions, to wear their country costume, and 

 but few have become converts to Christianity: this may be 

 attributed partly to the little interest manifested towards their 

 conversion, and partly to the unfortunate arrangement which 

 insures their return to India after a term of five years' 

 service. They are thus naturally led to retain most of those 



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