12 



THE VICAIi. 



covered by the Governor, whom he served as 

 chaplain, and by whose application to the Prince 

 Regent was obtained for him his present situa- 

 tion. The zeal of the vicar, for the improve- 

 ment of the districts over which he has control, 

 is unremitted ; he takes pains to explain to the 

 planters the utility of the introduction of new 

 modes of agriculture, new machinery for their 

 sugar-mills, and many alterations of the same 

 description which are known to be practised 

 with success in the colonies of other nations ; 

 but it is not every novelty which meets with his 

 approbation. It is no easy task to loosen the 

 deep-rooted prejudices of many of the planters. 

 He is affable to the lower ranks of people, and 

 I have had many opportunities of hearing per- 

 suasion and entreaty made use of to many of 

 his parishioners, that they would reform their 

 habits, if any impropriety of behaviour in the 

 person to whom he was speaking had come to 

 his knowledge. His occasional extempore dis- 

 courses on subjects of morality, when seated 

 within the railings of the principal chapel, deli- 

 vered in a distinct and deep-toned voice, by a 

 man of commanding person, habited in the 

 black gown which is usually worn by men of his 

 profession, were very impressive. He has ex- 

 erted himself greatly to increase the civilisation 

 of the higher orders of people in his parish ; to 

 prevent feuds among them ; to persuade them 



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