234 Timehri. 
guiding hand of a really capable man and I am sure that the practicability 
will be evidenced. Where to find much a man is the cruz. I confess that I could 
not put my hand on one willing to undertake the work, but that does not mean 
he does not exist. There is a glimmering ofa sense of responsibility, an attempt 
at self-reliance and co-operation but not sufficiently wide to accomplish much. 
Still it is there and if it is based as it should be on a proper, not aggressive 
pride of race, there is no reason why, in the near future, the British Guiana 
black man should not make for himself a firm position in the countryand wipe 
away the stigma which at present undoubtedly attaches to him in the opinion 
of the small world that knows of his existence. 
After writing this I noticed in the newspaper, letters written by men of the 
race bearing out my own ideas, which are givan in the hope that every effort 
will be made to advance the black man and give him that position which he 
can, if properly directed, occupy, 
Next in point of numbers are the East Indians who have made and are making 
themselves of more importance day by day. Imported for the purpose of 
supplying the neceessary labour for the sugar estates, they have to a large 
extent supplanted the blacks on the plantations. Even in the villages they have 
risen to no small importance while in the matter of agriculture, especially in rice- 
growing they are far and away ahead of all other races. For many years the 
return ships to India claimed a good many, but since the abolition of back- 
passages the number of those leaving these shores has been greatly reduced. 
The creole coolie adopting the habits of his black brothers has steadily gained 
in physique and has become more creole than the black people themselves. 
Demerara is his home and few have any ambition to leave it ; he is contented 
with his lot in the village communities, where he finds all he wants. Hast 
Indians are still, however, a race apart and are easily influenced by their 
priests. It is a sad commentary on the black race to notice that, on lands 
which were their own, the erstwhile proprietors are now being employed in 
many instances by the East Indian to plant rice—the said East Indians being 
now the owners of the land. 
Advancing as they are in prosperity, the East Indians nevertheless suffer 
from many disadvantages, which result in demoralising them to an enormous 
extent. Creolised though the Demerara born have become they are still 
Asiatics, and notwithstanding the fact that they have adopted many of the 
customs of the blacks, they are yet imbued with the traditions of the past and 
caste remains as a severely drawn line. The Brahmins, those who know any- 
thing of the sacred books, have no difficulty in attracting “ chelas.’’ The read- 
ing of ‘‘ Khatas ”’ and an exposition of the religion is an everyday occurrence. 
while the astuteness of the “‘ second born,’’ the outcome of ages of dominance 
and brain exercise, is ever welcome when a difficulty arises and advice is required. 
Chelas, of course, have the preference. I am writing of Hindus. Long 
as the East Indians have been in the colony, it is strange how little is really 
known of their manners, customs and traditions. Very few take the trouble to 
make themselves acquainted with even the outlines of those characteristics 
which make the East the East and which will never be eradicated. To under- 
stand the Asiatic is hopeless until a study is made of him, a by no means 
