[[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 circumstance 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 shell 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 classes.
[[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.