My Mother Is Dead!"
As If He Thought It A Sufficient Justification.
The expenses of funerals
are so heavy that often years elapse before they can defray them.
These people are said to be very litigious and obstinate:
constant disputes are taking place respecting their lands.
A case came before the weekly court of the commandant involving property
in a palm-tree worth twopence. The judge advised the pursuer
to withdraw the case, as the mere expenses of entering it
would be much more than the cost of the tree. "Oh no," said he;
"I have a piece of calico with me for the clerk, and money for yourself.
It's my right; I will not forego it." The calico itself
cost three or four shillings. They rejoice if they can say of an enemy,
"I took him before the court."
My friend Mr. Canto, the commandant, being seized with fever in a severe form,
it afforded me much pleasure to attend HIM in his sickness,
who had been so kind to ME in mine. He was for some time
in a state of insensibility, and I, having the charge of his establishment,
had thus an opportunity of observing the workings of slavery.
When a master is ill, the slaves run riot among the eatables.
I did not know this until I observed that every time the sugar-basin
came to the table it was empty. On visiting my patient by night,
I passed along a corridor, and unexpectedly came upon the washerwoman
eating pine-apples and sugar.
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