100 



have in various publications been accused of a 

 total want of religion, but this appears to me quite 

 incompatible with the ideas of spirits existing 

 after dissolution of the body, which necessarily 

 implies a belief in a future state; and although 

 (as far as I can make out) they have no outward 

 forms of religion, the most devout Christian cannot 

 have " God bless you" oftener on his lips than 

 the negro ; nor, on the other hand, appear to feel 

 the wish for their enemy's damnation more sin- 

 cerely when he utters it. 



The Africans (as is well known) generally be- 

 lieve, that there is a life beyond this world, and 

 that they shall enjoy it by returning to their own 

 country ; and this idea used frequently to induce 

 them, soon after their landing in the colonies, to 

 commit suicide ; but this was never known to 

 take place except among fresh negroes, and since 

 the execrable slave-trade has been abolished, such 

 an illusion is unheard of. As to those who had 

 once got over the dreadful period of " seasoning," 

 they were generally soon sensible enough of the 

 amelioration of their condition, to make the idea 

 of returning to Africa the most painful that could 

 be presented to them. But, to be sure, poor 

 creatures! what with the terrors and sufferings of 

 the voyage, and the unavoidable hardships of the 

 seasoning, those advantages were purchased more 

 dearly than any in this life can possibly be worth. 

 God be thanked, all that is now at an end ; and 



