66 



SOUTH AMEEICA— THE ANDES EEGIONS. 



structure, though still possessing its own grammatical and euphonic laws. The 

 Trinidad dialect, which has been studied by Thomas, a native of colour, possesses 

 quite a literature, consisting, like the Martinique and Haiti varieties, especially 

 of wise sayings and proverbs. 



Nevertheless, there can be no doubt that in the near future the numerical 

 preponderance Avill cease to belong to these French or Gallicised ethnical elements. 

 A large number of extensive plantations and of the agricultural factories have 



Fig. 21.— Wife of a Rich Hindu Coolie. 



already changed hands, having been purchased from their former owners by 

 English and Scotch settlers. The latter have the reputation of being very grasp- 

 ing, as illustrated by the local expression, " Scotch friend," applied to the 

 murderous lianas which entangle the trees in their deadly coils. Under analogous 

 influences, negroes of English speech from Barbadoes and other islands are con- 

 tinually replacing the French blacks, and driving them to the interior. The 

 latter, rejoicing in their emancipation, and naturally anxious to take advantage of 



