SLAVERY. 



293 



a situation of so much misery. Slaves are much 

 inclined to pilfer, and particularly towards their 

 masters this is very frequent ; indeed many of 

 them scarcely think that they are acting impro- 

 perly in so doing. * Drunkenness is common 

 among them, t A direct answer is not easily 

 obtained from a slave, but the information which 

 is required is learnt by means of four or five 

 questions put in various ways. The necessity 

 for this is frequently caused by stupidity, or 

 from ignorance of the language in which the 

 slave is addressed, rather than from any wish 

 to deceive. It is in their behaviour to their 

 families and companions, that the good part 

 of the human being is displayed, and natural 

 enough it is that it should be so. The ne- 

 groes show much attachment to their wives 

 and children, to their other relations if they 

 should chance to have any, and to their ma- 

 lungos or fellow-passengers from Africa. The 

 respect which is paid to old age, it is extremely 

 pleasing to witness. Superannuated Africans, 

 upon the estates, are never suffered to want any 



* One of the men who was in my possession used to say, 

 on being tasked with any theft, " To steal from master is not 

 to steal — Furtar de Senhor nam hefurtar." 



f Strange notions exist on this subject. Several nostrums 

 are in repute for the curing of this habit ; but that of which 

 the fame stands the highest, is, earth that is taken from a 

 grave, dissolved in water, and given to the negro without 

 his knowing what he is taking. 



u 3 





