The Three Counties under the Dutch. 27 
the eye, even beyond its reach, in unbroken range between the savage 
forests." 
The owner " sought employment in the cultivation of the rude spot 
which forms his present home, and which is now so improved as to 
yield a fertile produce in cotton. Until very recently he had tried at a 
different part of the estate, where he had built a house, and near to it 
planted a garden, which yielded a plentiful supply of choice fruits and 
vegetables ; but from the plantation becoming extensive, he found it 
expedient to establish his residence at a more central part of it ; he has 
therefore built this romantic little cottage to serve as a temporary house 
from whence he may conveniently superintend the erection of a more 
spacious abode, at a spot already marked out for that purpose." 
" His garden and estate afford a very ample supply of plain and 
wholesome provisions. His flocks and herds are numerous, and his 
plantation exhibits a more abundant stock of cows, sheep, and poultry 
than is common at other estates." 
% "We were served only by females, of whom M. Berchevch has the 
finest assemblage I have yet seen among the people of colour. We 
learned that it was one of the peculiarities of our host not to suffer a 
male to inhabit his house. His habits are social ; but men are only 
admitted as visitors." 
"The old gentleman is rigid and imperative towards his slaves, but 
his government is so tempered with kindness and humanity that he is 
obeyed more from esteem than from fear of compulsion. In the obser- 
vances of politeness, Mynheer Bercheych descends to the correctest 
minutiae. From his appearance, his manners, address, and stately car- 
riage, he might pass for an old English baron. The formal system of 
bowing he supports with the tenacity of a very Dutchman. Not a true- 
born son of all-bowing, hat-lifting Leyden itself could be more pre- 
cisely polite. He even requires, and returns, a ceremonious salutation 
every time that he is met or passed by any of his slaves — not one of 
whom dares to go by him without being uncovered. A negro belonging 
to another planter attempted to pass him without offering the necessary 
salute, and he immediately gave him a stripe with his cane, observing 
that ' if he did not know good manners he must be taught; I would not 
suffer a negro to show more of politeness and good manners than my- 
self ; but if he attempts to pass me without proper observance, I always 
deem it right to instruct him that respect is due to the whites.' " 
" Nothing could exceed the neatness of the arrangement which dis. 
D2 
