252 



TBINIOAD : THEN AND NOW. 



I have in my day seen many men work hard, but 

 I have never seen harder workers or better men than 

 those I have from time to time accompanied on each 

 of these trips, not only in the steamer but also in their 

 boats to and from the shore, and I never met more 

 cheerful workers. It gives me pleasure to thus 

 record it, and I am sure, you, my fellow travellers, 

 will endorse it. 



The opening of this service has been one of the 

 greatest benefits conceived or conferred by a gover- 

 nor, and if Sir William Eobinson never did anything 

 else to deserve the gratitude of the people of the 

 colony, especially the planters, the owners of large 

 estates, and also of small ones, peasant proprietors 

 and shopkeepers all round the island, he deserves it 

 for this as it enables them to get their weekly sup- 

 plies and " ship " their produce, thus affording a 

 wonderful contrast between the Trinidad of Then 

 and the Trinidad of Now. 



It is a pleasant educational trip, and I again re- 

 peat that I am surprised more people do not avail 

 themselves of it. To many there is still time to see 

 and enjoy it ; if you are not satisfied after your re- 

 turn, then blame me ; but if you enjoy it you can 

 thank me, either blame or thanks will be equally wel- 

 come, for I will feel satisfied that I have done you a 

 good turn by inducing you to know more of this beau- 

 tiful colony. If you are a stranger you will, like 

 Kingsley, go home saying, "lam glad I at last have 

 seen it. " If you are a colonist, " I am glad because I 

 know more of my native land than I did before." 



