38 



A NEW HISTORY OF 



Africans, in nothing but in color. Once, and only 

 once, during my life, I have had an opportunity of 

 examining minutely, an entirely white negro. 



In the year 1812, there lived in the town of 

 Stabroek, the capital of Demerara, a man of this 

 complexion. He was a robust young fellow, — 

 by no means what they called an Albino, as his eyes 

 were just of the same color as those of his tribe. 

 Having been shewn the house where he lived, 

 I knocked at the door and begged admittance. On 

 addressing him, I said, that having heard much 

 of his fair skin, I had come that morning to make 

 acquaintance with him. He went by the name 

 of Bochra Jem, or White Jemmy, — was a tailor by 

 trade, and was the property of the good woman who 

 had opened me the door. 



He answered without hesitation, every question 

 which I put to him ; and he willingly allowed 

 me to examine him, for any length of time. His 

 whole frame was delicately white wherever his 

 clothing had defended it from the scorching rays of 

 the sun. In fact, I found his skin in all respects, 

 the same as my own, saving that, where the sun 

 had given mine the appearance of mahogany — his 

 was blotched with broad freckles of a lighter tint. 

 In all other respects, he was in reality, a negro 

 from head to foot ; — for his hair was curly, and his 



