[2] This tree grows to a considerable height and thickness, very straight, and covered with a strong grey prickly bark. The boughs spread very much, with small digitated leaves. The cotton, which it produces triennally, is neither white nor plentiful, which, makes it little sought after. It bears some resemblance to the British oak, the largest of which it surpasses both in elegance and magnitude. [↑]
[3] This creature is from three to five feet long, and perfectly harmless; it has not the least apprehension of being hurt even by man; while the unparalleled brilliancy of its colours may be another inducement for the adoration of the negroes. [↑]
[4] See the 58th Psalm, ver. 4, and 5: “They are like the deaf adder, that stoppeth her ear; which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.”—Jerem. chap. viii. ver. 17,—and the Book of Ecclesiastes, chap. x. ver. 11, &c. [↑]
[5] It is a well-known fact, that a negro, having been ill-treated by the family in which he lived as a servant, one day took the following desperate revenge:—The master and mistress being from home, he, having locked all the doors, at their return presented himself with their three fine children on the platform on the top of the house. When asked why he did not give admittance, he only answered by throwing an infant baby to the ground: they threatened—he tossed down the brother: they intreated, but to no purpose, the third sharing the same fate, who all lay dead at their parents’ feet—then calling out to them that he was now fully revenged, leaped down himself, and dashed out his own brains amongst the amazed spectators.——Another stabbed the inoffensive husband to be revenged on the guilty wife; declaring, that to kill herself was only temporary, but to lose all that was dear to her must be eternal bitterness, while to himself it was the sweetest satisfaction. [↑]
[6] After the most scrupulous enquiry, and even ocular demonstration, I can assert the above as literally true. [↑]
[7] We are told Job did the same. [↑]
[8] Witness Jas Jackson, the equestrian rider, London, &c. [↑]
[9] By a law passed in the council of Jamaica, the punishment of a negro is usually limited to twelve lashes, but never exceeding thirty-nine. In Surinam I have known two hundred inflicted on a female; and was once the unfortunate occasion of seeing it immediately repeated. (See Plate XXXV. Vol. I.) [↑]