4 



TRINIDAD: THEN AND NOW 



reigns over the destinies of such a large portion of 

 the human race and who, on three occasions — each of 

 which I had the pleasure of witnessing — graced our 

 shores by his presence. 



Many attempts have been made to describe im- 

 portant events in the history of Trinidad, but not 

 always in an impartial manner, and hence not suc- 

 cessfully. It is, perhaps, difficult to do so, because 

 the best of men allow themselves to be swayed by 

 their likes and dislikes, particularly by the latter, 

 and often, to a great degree, by the likes and dislikes 

 of their friends or intimate acquaintances ; and thus 

 often to the prejudice of the truth and to the expe- 

 diency of their personal interests. Now, having no 

 personal interests to serve, I shall endeavour to select 

 such portions of the writings of others as appear to 

 me to be the most reliable and free from bias. It 

 is not my intention to write the history of Trinidad — 

 except so far as a record of the rapid strides made in 

 its prospects and prosperity within my time may be 

 considered history — I leave that task to the hands of 

 abler men. I hav'e read many books that, in their 

 time, purported to describe past and passing events 

 connected with this Colony in an impartial way, — not, 

 however, always with success — the personal interest 

 or bias constantly peeping out. Among these I may 

 at once mention McCallum's series of letters rela- 

 tive to the governorship of Sir Thomas Picton, so full 

 of bitter spite, and evidently written at the request 

 and dictation of Fullarton or some one connected 

 with him, as almost to prevent me quoting any 



