Antigua and the Antiguans Volume II Part 13

The waiter, not used to this specification of articles, was astounded; he pa.s.sed his fingers musingly through his lanky locks, looked up to the ceiling, and down to his Warrenized shoes, minutely inspected the movement of a fly upon the gilded mirror, in hopes, no doubt, of deriving information from it, smoothed the _un_rumpled table-cover, and then being still utterly unable to comprehend the order, exclaimed, in a very lamentable tone, "I ham werry sorry, sir, but we have not got no ducks or potatoes but the _common ones_, and has for the _other thing_ you _hordered_, we have none in the house just now."

There are several other peculiar modes of dialect observable among the Creoles. For instance: If an order is given to open or shut a window, it is, "Heave up that gla.s.s sash," or, "Haul down that gla.s.s sash;" when speaking of east and west, they invariably say _windward_ and _leeward;_ to throw a stone, is to _fire_ a stone; if a person is fortunate enough to procure a good situation, it is immediately said, "He has got a _capital berth;_" and their men-servants, of every age, are always termed _boys_.[52]

Soon after my arrival in this island, I happened to be present, one evening, when a gentleman was deploring an accident which had lately occurred. With my mind running upon "wounds and bruises,"

I inquired into the circ.u.mstances. "Why, that good-for-nothing _boy_ of mine," was the rejoinder, "went to the pond this morning, and on bis way back, he _knocked down my horse_." I was certainly surprised at such an herculean feat, and began to think of Maximin, the Roman emperor, who, with one blow of his fist, could knock out a horse's tooth, or break its leg with a kick; but my wonder was considerably increased upon the entrance of the _boy_ in question, for instead of his exhibiting any appearance of great strength, I found him to be, in reality, a decrepit old man. How this pilgrim of sixty summers could knock down an animal of such vast strength as a horse, I could not imagine-the mystery was more and more intricate-but at length, an elucidation was afforded, and I found out that instead of _the boy_ knocking down the animal, the animal had knocked down him; or, in other words, the horse had fallen down with the poor old man upon his back.

My sketches of colour are completed. True it is, there are many other little peculiarities which might be noticed; but for the present I will bid the coloured cla.s.ses "farewell," and turning over the page, mention a few of the "traits and trials" of the white inhabitants.

[46] This was not the only indignity offered. Mr. Gilbert was at that period the notary public, and when the news of his intended marriage got abroad, "the acting governor of Antigua wrote to the acting general governor of the Leeward Islands, resident at St.

Christopher's, representing that _he_ (Mr. G.) had so basely degraded himself as to be unworthy of that office." The governor-general thought so too; so the public whipper was sent to demand his notarial commission, and some unknown patriot removed the painted board, placed over his office, bearing the words, "John Gilbert, Notary Public," and threw it into the sea.

Mr. Gilbert also held a commission in the militia; but so horrified were the officers of the corps to which he belonged, that one of them, in the name of the rest, waited upon Mr.

Gilbert with the pleasing intelligence, "that they were determined to have no intercourse with him, and would apply for a court-martial to try him, _for acting in a manner inconsistent with his rank and station, and the character of an officer, if he proceeded with this marriage._" For peace' sake, Mr. Gilbert resigned his commission. When, according to "the universal practice in these islands," he applied for his marriage licence, he was refused; the "bans were therefore published in the church." It is almost needless to remark, that had he made the lady the object of an illicit intercourse, his conduct would have been thought nothing but proper by the white inhabitants of Antigua in those days!

[47] This circ.u.mstance occurred at a period when the clergymen officiating in Antigua were not of that exemplary character which distinguishes the generality of the present divines.

[48] The humming bird, or colibri.

[49] A bell is rang, a conch sh.e.l.l blown, or an old copper struck with a piece of stick, to notify the hour when the negroes leave their work, for the purpose of getting their morning meal; and this is the usual hour for partaking of that repast among all cla.s.ses.

[50] Fish stewed with vinegar, limes, mace, pepper, onions, &c., and eaten cold.

[51] How often trifling matters like these speak a mighty change in the "spirit of the times!"

[52] Although these _provincialisms_ happen to occur in this chapter, it is necessary to remark, that they are made use of by Creoles of every colour.

CHAPTER XLVII.

Grades among the _pure in blood_-Aristocrats-The tribe _fungi_- An overseer's duty-Managers and attorneys-Pickings and gleanings-Managers' wives and managing ladies-Aristocratic shops-"My daughters"-Education-"Field days" of the militia-The Antiguan aide-de-camp.

As in commencing my chapter on colour, I deemed it necessary to mention the different grades and gradations among that olive-tinted race; so in writing upon the white population of Antigua, it will be first proper to remark, that there are two _distinct cla.s.ses_ to be found among them: the one born in the island, (but of course of European extraction,) and consequently termed Creoles;[53] the other, persons of both s.e.xes, who have emigrated from England in search of wealth, or whose domestic ties, or government appointments, have caused them to leave the land of their birth, and made them, for a time at least, residents in this bonny little island.[54]

In these two cla.s.ses, then, are to be found all the descendants of the fair-haired Saxons, from the president of the island, down to the low, ignorant, but proud, pauper-proud of his untarnished blood! who, in Antiguan vulgarism, is known by the appellation of "bottom-foot buckra." Of this last-mentioned cla.s.s much may be said. Many and various are their "traits" of character, and arduous their "trials" to enable them to "keep up appearances."

But perhaps it may appear more orthodox to scan over the peculiarities and "manners and customs" of the "tip-tops" first.

The head of Antiguan society is of course her majesty's representative-"His Excellency the Governor." Then comes the "President of the Island," who, in absence of the commander-in-chief, exercises his duties, and takes his place in society. After the president, the members of the council and house of a.s.sembly rank next among the grandees, all of whom, no doubt, are-

"Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors."

Then comes the "bench and the bar,"-the occupiers of pulpits, and the followers of Galen,-government officers, and the officers of her majesty's customs,-a few gallant sons of Mars from some of England's "wooden walls," who in cruising about these seas, pay Antigua an occasional visit,-officers from the stationed regiments,-and a long line of merchants, attorneys, managers, and nondescripts-and there the line is drawn. "These several gentry,"

with their wives and daughters, aunts, sisters, and cousins, const.i.tute the first cla.s.s among the white population, or more properly speaking, form the aristocracy of Antigua.

But it must be observed, these aristocrats, although forming one body, mixing in the same society, and equally looking upon themselves as _exclusives_, may yet be divided into two distinct cla.s.ses-the one springing from a good old stock, the other comprehending the _self-elected_ ones. I shall confine myself more particularly in this chapter to the latter cla.s.s, as being better exemplifiers of the "ups and downs of life."

Now although the tribe _fungi_, of which the mushroom is a member, luxuriates better in a damp climate, than in one so excessively hot; yet some species of them may be met with in all parts of the world. I have often seen their long slender stalks, and pallid-looking caps extending the limits of the _vegetable world_ in Antigua; and therefore it does not surprise me to find so many of the mushroom family among the animal creation in that part of the globe, obtruding their tall heads, even in the aristocratic circles of the community. Like their brethren among the vegetables, some of them grow upon the ground, and "derive their nourishment from the soil," while others "spring up on various substances, presented by nature or art."

The first of these two varieties of mushrooms are to be met with among the descendants of those poor white persons, who in former years came to Antigua to act, in the literal sense of the word, as "servants of servants," but whose offspring, by dint of petty traffickings and small gatherings, ama.s.sed a sufficient sum of money to make them forget their origin, and contemning their natural parents, look for some "Jupiter Ammon" to stand progenitor for them in their stead. The latter cla.s.s are the wild branches of some sapless tree, who, with scarce a change of raiment in their wallets, or the clink of a coin in their purse, were s.h.i.+pped off to the West Indies to be killed or cured-reap dollars like thistles, or starve in the attempt.

By the "good luck," as it is termed, which sometimes attends such needy adventurers upon their arrival in this country, they obtained, perhaps, employment as overseers upon the different estates, (I am now speaking of the manner in which such affairs were conducted some years before emanc.i.p.ation, when the proprietors were obliged, by law, to maintain so many white servants to so many slaves,) where they were quickly installed into their duty. This consisted in calling over the names of the negroes before daylight of a morning, seeing them properly whipped, when such chastis.e.m.e.nt was deemed necessary, or perhaps whipping them, as the case might be; inspecting the labours of the gang of negroes in the field, who were cutting canes or preparing the land for planting; flying from thence to the mill-door, where some awkward "boatswain" had let the mill-tackling get wrong, (for which crime he was coolly ordered a dozen or two,) or, perchance, if it were a "cattle-mill" instead of a "windmill," a gang of mules had turned restive, or one unfortunate over-driven animal had dropped down dead, or else three or four of the wooden cogs of the mill were broken, and the cattle were obliged to be taken out until it should be mended.

Then he had to visit the "rum-still," and overlook the process of distillation, taking down, upon a dirty piece of paper, the number of gallons of "high-wines," "rum," and "low-wines." From the "still" he marched to the "boiling-house," to inspect the making of sugar; and from thence to the "curing-house," to see the sugar "potted," (that is, packed in hogsheads, tierces, or barrels.) Then there were staves to be given out to the coopers, and boards to the carpenter, besides dispensing medicines to the sick slaves, and cane-tops to the hungry mules. And then, when all these mult.i.tudinous occupations were performed, and the different store-houses well secured, he proceeded to the "great house," and, after scrubbing his face with brown soap and a jack towel, smoothing, if possible, his straggling, sun-burnt locks, and exchanging his dirty white jacket for one of broad-cloth, or a coat whose cuffs and collar bore ample marks of time, he made his appearance in the dining-room or hall, where a high stool or an education chair was placed for him near his master, at whose old jokes and worn-out tales he felt obliged to laugh, while he indulged in such luxuries as fowls' necks and odd ends of pudding, washed down by a single gla.s.s of wine.

His labours were now over for the night, unless it were the sugar harvest, and then he was expected to return to the boiling-house, where, amid clouds of densest steam, he remained until twelve or one in the morning, and then, as the last copper was cooled down, he marched off the tired negroes, and, having well locked the door, quitted the furnace-like heat of the building to wend his weary way home in the cold night air.

During former days of slavery, it has often been the practice to carry on the boiling of sugar throughout the whole night. Upon such occasions, the poor overseer had to keep his place in the boiling-house, to see that the slaves attended to their duty.

There is an anecdote told of a West Indian overseer which proves him to have been rather clever in the art of dissimulation. He was a man of reserved manners and of extreme taciturnity, seldom speaking to the negroes, unless, indeed, giving them a stroke or two from a rattan which, from custom, he carried in his hand, can be termed _speaking;_ but he was a favourite with his employer, who thought him _watchful_ as well as careful-two very necessary virtues in days of slavery. From some cause or the other, he had lost the sight of one of his eyes, but which disaster, from a latent spark of pride, he was very desirous of concealing. While in the "boiling-house" during the day, quietly seated in his cherry-tree chair, and narrowly watching the movements of the negroes, it was his custom to place his hand over the affected organ. But as evening came on, and "tired nature" craved repose, he altered his plan of operation, and covering his other eye, he allowed his rayless...o...b..to glare "horribly stern" upon the toiling slaves, who, unconscious of his visual defect, and noting his movements, by which one of his eyes was ever apparently fixed upon them, exclaimed-"Eh! eh! war dis?-buckra oberseer cleber true; he make one yeye (eye) sleep while toder keep watch!"

To return to our overseer's duty. Perhaps some of my readers may be inclined to think this kind of life described not the most enviable, and their "good luck" in meeting with such a situation very illusory. Like, however, the solitary waste in the Eastern story of "Abdallah," this life of drudgery leads to riches. A few years over, and if the overseer is "smart" in his business, he gets promoted to "manager," marries, perhaps, his former master's daughter, or some other fair one, starts his horse and gig, purchases a dozen or two of wine, and a decent suit of clothes; and what with his salary, and the pickings and gleanings procured from off the property, he begins to make a show, and ventures to give a dinner-party to the "great people."

Another year or so, and if the island is blessed with fine and copious rains, and the estate makes a good crop in consequence, the proprietor in England experiences great delight, and by the return packet, despatches a commission, promoting our _ci-devant_ overseer to the situation of attorney as well as manager. Now, in truth, he begins to raise his head, like other mushrooms after a shower of rain, and thinks himself a man of family. His gig is replaced by a rattling, shaking, tumble-down carriage, drawn by a pair of spavined horses, and further graced by a shoeless coachman, his head surmounted by a pitiful beaver, encircled by a gold or silver band, his only other article of livery consisting of a scarlet waistcoat, made perhaps from some cast-off militia uniform. A little meagre black boy, whose habiliments are upon a similar scale to the coachman's, serves the office of footman, and attends upon "the ladies" in their morning drive, with a grace and grimace most admirably seconded by the monkeys in the zoological gardens of London. Nor is the starting of this equipage all that marks the change; Mr. Attorney becomes more egotistical every day-his cellar receives a stock of champagne, (_or perry_,) and he cries, "Taste my wine-it is excellent, I do a.s.sure you. I cannot drink bad wine; I have never been used to it!" His larder becomes replenished with richer fare. "Try this turtle-soup," says he; "you'll find it superb-my cook is celebrated for his skill. I can tolerate nothing that is indifferent at _my table_." He procures a commission in the militia, and sets up for the house of a.s.sembly; and being elected, takes his place among that august body with a vast deal of dignity. He makes no long speeches, 'tis true; but, instead, shakes his head with an overpowering gravity, and insinuates, "I think the more," taking good care, however, to chime in with the strongest party.

His family becomes of some importance; his sons are intended for the bar, or the church; and one is destined to step into his own shoes. He next looks out for some poor damsel, who, to save herself from actual starvation, agrees to wear out her strength, and prostrate her talents in endeavouring to inculcate into the minds of his daughters the elementary branches of education for a sum your washerwoman would scorn to take.

Thus, as we have seen, the overseer rises to manager, the manager to attorney, and, like the worthless grub, when it puts on the b.u.t.terfly's painted wings, and, soaring on the bland and beautiful zephyr, scorns his former race, who yet remain grovelling in the dust, and fancies itself of a higher creation; so the attorney, as he gains the pinnacle of his ambition, forgets his former lowly state and penniless pockets, and, with haughty brow and over weening pride, proclaims himself an aristocrat. How very fast mushrooms do spring up!

But it may be asked, "What salary does an attorney receive to enable him to keep up all this state of grandeur? surely it must be something handsome?" In answer, it must be remarked, that such affairs are not conducted in the West Indies as they are in England. This is the country for a poor man to make a display in- here he may run his carriage without fearing a visit from a tax-gatherer; or dress up his servant in livery without having to pay 1l. 4s. per annum. His wine costs him about 2s. sterling per bottle; claret, 1s.; and "real Cognac" can be obtained for 2s.

6d. Before emanc.i.p.ation, the attorney and manager employed as many of the slaves as suited them, in the capacity of domestic servants, which slaves were of course fed from the estate provision; then the attorney has one or two horses allowed him, and if he purchases any more from his private funds, the estate finds them in corn and gra.s.s; he keeps a flock of sheep, for which the property also stands caterer; and now and then his employer may forward him a hogshead of porter, or a pipe of Madeira, besides other little presents, consisting of barrels of beef, or pork, or any other little matters. Thus, in the end, his pomp and grandeur is kept up at a very moderate charge to his own pockets.

It cannot be supposed that I intend to a.s.sert, that the aristocracy of Antigua is wholly composed of the _fungi_ tribe, or that all her planters are of the upstartish cla.s.s it has pleased me to describe. Far from it; an attentive perusal of these pages will prove, on the contrary, that there are to be found among them families, whose genealogical tree bears many a goodly shoot-through whose veins runs a stream of England's richest blood: the names of Warner, Williams, Byam, Martin, Ottleys, with many others, have long stood pre-eminent in the annals of Antigua; while their descendants have kept up their high station in the society of the island.

But to return to the mushroom gentry. While they are travelling the high-road to preferment and honour, their wives are proceeding with railway speed in the paths of affectation and conceit. From the more useful occupations of was.h.i.+ng their own clothes, and mending their own stockings, they now play the part of "my lady," and pa.s.s their time in lolling upon a sofa, with an open book before them, ready to take up should "company" arrive; or with wondering ears, listen to their daughters bungling through one of Mozart's waltzes, or stammering over a French fable.

Yet it is but proper to observe, all the "ladies" of this cla.s.s of aristocrats do not spend their time in this indolent manner.

No-far from it. Many of them have an eye to business amid all their grandeur, and keep, in a little tenement adapted to the purpose, a good stock of salt pork and salt fish; mackerels, herrings, and "alewives;"[55] corn-flour, tobacco, and candles; besides various articles of finery and coa.r.s.e cloths, which they dispense to the negroes upon the neighbouring estates, at the very moderate profit of about 50 per cent.! Nor is this the sum-total of their industry; their yard is well supplied with poultry, their gardens with vegetables, if they lack flowers; and many a goodly-sized swine enriches their pigsties. When these last-mentioned quadrupeds have exchanged their Saxon for their Norman names, as "Wamba" observes, the lady of the house, on "notable thoughts intent," packs up their delicate "sides and quarters," and conveys them, or has them conveyed, to a snug corner of the carriage about to convey her honourable husband to the capital, to meet in "conclave grave" his n.o.ble compeers.

After setting down their master at the door of the court-house, "Mr. John," the coachman, or "Mr. Thomas," the footman, draws these choice viands from their retreat; and while the owner of the defunct pigs is busy in making laws, or settling the affairs of nations, his servants are disposing of them to the best bidder, or laying in a store of bread in their stead. In the same manner, corn-fed mutton, poultry, eggs, and fresh b.u.t.ter, find their way to St. John's market; and, by the magician-like wand of commerce, return to our manager's managing lady, in the form of wine, tea, or loaf-sugar.

Of course, when these "ladies of distinction" draw on their mitts, and make their appearance in the drawing-room, the _shop_ is banished from thoughts and conversation; and if not literature, at least topics of scandal, rank, and lineage, are discussed in its place. Some great-great-grandfather, who, from some freak of royalty has been dubbed knight, or else some imaginary kinsman, is called up from their long-forgotten tomb, to stand as a kind of foundation to their present greatness.

Their daughters are carefully instructed in all the various modes of setting forth their own charms, and of publis.h.i.+ng their own exalted rank, by expressing their contempt for all beneath them.

The scornful toss of the head, the disdainful curve of the upper-lip, the affected heave of the shoulders, the insolent stare, and the air of proud condescension, is studied with far more intenseness than their grammars or geographies. Meet them where you will, in the place of wors.h.i.+p or the "public show,"

their manners are equally haughty; and their boasted pretension to superiority is even expressed in the very bending of their knees, when in acts of supposed adoration.

The more juvenile part of the community are, of course, debarred by their youth from keeping up with proper dignity their rank in life; but in the very nursery, the lessons of pride and affectation are engrafted, soon to become strong and flouris.h.i.+ng shoots.

The days of extreme ignorance are certainly pa.s.sed; the days when the young white Creole was left entirely to the care of their black, or low-coloured nurses, who imagined they could not better discharge their duty than by giving them their own way. The days when girls of fourteen could find no other amus.e.m.e.nt than, seated upon the floor, amid their negro attendants, to pa.s.s their time in eating "sling," or sucking sugar-canes, while their listless mothers lay stretched upon their couch, leaving their children to learn their alphabet as best they could. In later years, as before remarked, a poor English girl is generally procured to instruct them in the early branches of knowledge, curl their hair, and teach them their "steps," until the period arrives when their parents deem it necessary to send them to England, and place them at some suburban seminary. Here they are taught to sketch a landscape, complete a b.u.t.terfly in Poonah painting, play some of the fas.h.i.+onable airs, with variations, upon a piano, speak Anglicised French, dance a quadrille, and perhaps embroider a footstool. Their education is then supposed to be completed, and they are re-s.h.i.+pped to the West Indies, to astonish "papa and mamma," play their part upon the theatre of life, and swell the ranks of the female _coterie_.

In the days when the militia was in being in Antigua, the ladies of these self-elected aristocrats, were very fond of alluding to the martial rank of their relatives, particularly in their visits to England-talking of "my husband, the colonel," "Capt. X---, my papa," or "Lieut. Z---, my brother." The gentlemen, many of them, were also very proud of wearing their uniform upon "field-day,"

which occurred once a month, and no doubt felt themselves, as they buckled on their glittering swords, like "Hudibras, grow valorous." The governor, as commander of the force, was allowed by the militia laws an honorary staff, which consisted of six officers, who bore the local rank of lieutenant-colonels.

An anecdote is related of a gentleman of Antigua, who formed one of this _cortege_, and who was no little pleased with his high rank, and garnished shoulders. Business or pleasure called him to England, and he carried "home" with him his growing daughters to gather instruction, and his smart aide-de-camp's dress to reap applause. Arrived in London, and the fatigues of the voyage over, our aide-de-camp arrayed himself in his gay uniform, and hiring a carriage, drove with his daughters to a fas.h.i.+onable seminary. His card was sent in "Lieutenant-colonel ---" and the lady of the establishment met him with all possible grace, and bowed and courtesied to his inquiries with elegant obsequiousness. No references were of course asked for-no entrance money demanded: his gay apparel was a sufficient pa.s.sport, and the gentle "_maitresse d'ecole_" only thought herself too happy in acquiring the patronage of an officer of such high rank.

Time sped on, and the recess was at hand-the young ladies remained with their instructress during its period-the scholastic duties were again resumed, and another six months pa.s.sed away.

The various items swelled to a vast amount, yet no remittance came-no aide-de-camp made his appearance. A faintish tremour played around the lady's heart, and, unwillingly, she began to think of moneyless "soldiers of fortune." Letters were despatched to put the tardy sire in remembrance of his daughters'