Carriage in Hammocks. 
And indeed, excepting People of the low- 1699.’ 
eft degree of all, here are fcarce any but'/v^ 
what keep Slaves in their Houfes. The 
Richer Sort , befides the Slaves of both 
Sexes whom they keep for fervile Ufes in 
their Houfes, have Men-flaves who wait 
on them abroad , for State ; either run- 
ning by their Horfes-fides when they ride 
out , or to carry them to and fro on 
their Shoulders in the Town when they 
make fhorc Vifits near home. Every Gen- 
tleman or Merchant is provided with 
Things neceffary for this fort of Carriage. 
The main Thing is a pretty large Cotton 
Hammock of the Weli-lndia Falhion, but 
moftly dyed Blue, with large Fringes of 
the fame, hanging down on each fide. This 
is carry’d on the Negro's Shoulders by the 
help of a Bambo about 12 or 14 Foot long, 
to which the Hammock is hung ; and a 
Covering comes over the Pole, hanging 
down on each lide like a Curtain : So that 
the Perfon fo carry’d cannot be feen unlefs 
he pleafes ; but may either ly down, hav- 
ing Pillows for his Head ; or may fit up 
by being a little fupported with thefe Pil- 
lows, and by letting both his Legs hang 
out over one fide of the Hammock. When 
he hath a mind to be feen he puts by his 
Curtain, and falutes every one of his Ac- 
quaintance whom he meets in the Streets : 
for they take a piece of Pride in greeting 
one 
