SUBURBAN 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 deep 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 Buine’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 anxicties about to-morrow, and no wants 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 before 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.” 
His 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, whose 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 
