Samuel Bourne, Esq., stated, that there had been a great improvement in the treatment of mothers on his estate.  “Under the old system, mothers were required to work half the time after their children were six weeks old; but now we do not call them out for nine months after their confinement, until their children are entirely weaned.”

“In those cases where women have husbands in the field, they do not turn out while they are nursing their children.  In many instances the husbands prefer to have their wives engaged in other work, and I do not require them to go to the field.”—­Mr. J Howell.

Much is already beginning to be said of the probability that the women will withdraw from agricultural labor.  A conviction of the impropriety of females engaging in such employments is gradually forming in the minds of enlightened and influential planters.

A short time previous to emancipation, the Hon. N. Nugent, speaker of the assembly, made the following remarks before the house:—­“At the close of the debate, he uttered his fervent hope, that the day would come when the principal part of the agriculture of the island would be performed by males, and that the women would be occupied in keeping their cottages in order, and in increasing their domestic comforts.  The desire of improvement is strong among them; they are looking anxiously forward to the instruction and advancement of their children, and even of themselves.”—­Antigua Herald, of March, 1834.

In a written communication to us, dated January 17, 1837, the Speaker says:  “Emancipation will, I doubt not, improve the condition of the females.  There can be no doubt that they will ultimately leave the field, (except in times of emergency,) and confine themselves to their appropriate domestic employments.”

EIGHTEENTH PROPOSITION.—­Real estate has risen in value since emancipation; mercantile and mechanical occupations have received a fresh impulse; and the general condition of the colony is decidedly more flourishing than at any former period.

“The credit of the island has decidedly improved.  The internal prosperity of the island is advancing in an increased ratio.  More buildings have been erected since emancipation, than for twenty years before.  Stores and shops have multiplied astonishingly; I can safely say that their number has more than quintupled since the abolition of slavery.”—­Dr. Ferguson.

“Emancipation has very greatly increased the value of, and consequently the demand for, real estate.  That which three years ago was a drug altogether unsaleable by private bargain; has now many inquirers after it, and ready purchasers at good prices.  The importation of British manufactured goods has been considerably augmented, probably one fourth.”

“The credit of the planters who have been chiefly affected by the change, has been much improved.  And the great reduction of expense in managing the estates, has made them men of more real wealth, and consequently raised their credit both with the English merchants and our own.”—­James Scotland, Sen., Esq.