for two years.  The mother made an attempt to regain her, and was assisted by some whites with money to commence a suit for that purpose.  The lady who defended her was accordingly prosecuted, and the whole case became notorious.  The prosecutors were foiled.  At the close of her apprenticeship, the young woman was married to a highly respectable colored gentleman, now resident in St. John’s.  The notoriety which was given to the above case had a happy effect.  It brought the society and its object more fully before the public, and the contributions for its support greatly increased.  Those for whose benefit the asylum was opened, heard of it, and came begging to be received.

This society is a signal evidence that the colored people neither lack the ability to devise, nor the hearts to cherish, nor the zeal to execute plans of enlarged benevolence and mercy.

The Juvenile Association, too, of which we gave some account in describing its anniversary, originated with the colored people, and furnishes additional evidence of the talents and charities of that class of the community.  Besides the societies already enumerated, there are two associations connected with the Established Church, called the “Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge,” and the “Branch Association of the Society for Advancing the Christian Faith in the British West Indies, &c.”  These societies are also designed chiefly for the benefit of the negro population.

EDUCATION.

Our inquiries under this head were directed to three principal points—­first, The extent to which education prevailed previous to emancipation; second, The improvements introduced since; and third, The comparative capacity of negroes for receiving instruction.

Being providentially in the island at the season of the year when all the schools have their annual examinations, we enjoyed the most favorable opportunities for procuring intelligence on the subject of education.  From various quarters we received invitations to attend school examinations.  We visited the schools at Parham, Willoughby Bay, Newfield; Cedar Hall, Grace Bay, Fitch’s Creek, and others:  besides visiting the parochial school, the rectory school, the Moravian and Wesleyan schools, in St. John’s.  All the schools, save those in St. John’s, were almost exclusively composed of emancipated children from the estates.

VISIT TO THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL.

At the invitation of the Governor, we accompanied him to the annual examination of the parochial school, in St. John’s, under the superintendance of the Episcopal church.  It has increased greatly, both in scholars and efficiency, since emancipation, and contributions are made to its support by the parents whose children receive its benefits.  We found one hundred and fifty children, of both sexes, assembled in the society’s rooms.  There was every color present, from the deepest hue of the Ethiopian, to the faintest shadowing of brown.