in Barbadoes—­so long as the apprenticeship lasts.  There has been no increase of crime.  The character of the negro population has been gradually improving in morals and intelligence.  Marriage has increased, the Sabbath is more generally observed, and religious worship is better attended.  Again, the apprentices of Jamaica have not manifested any peculiar defiance of law.  The most illiberal magistrates testified that the people respected the law, when they understood it.  As it respects the industry of the apprentices, there are different opinions among the planters themselves.  Some admitted that they were as industrious as before, and did as much work in proportion to the time they were employed.  Others complained that they lacked the power to compel industry, and that hence there was a falling off of work.  The prominent evils complained of in Jamaica are, absconding from work, and insolence to masters.  From the statements in the preceding chapter, it may be inferred that many things are called by these names, and severely punished, which are really innocent or unavoidable; however, it would not be wonderful if there were numerous instances of both.  Insolence is the legitimate fruit of the apprenticeship, which holds out to the apprentice, that he possesses the rights of a man, and still authorizes the master to treat him as though he were little better than a dog.  The result must often be that the apprentice will repay insult with insolence.  This will continue to exist until either the former system of absolute force is restored, or a system of free compensated labor, with its powerful checks and balances on both parties, is substituted.  The prevalence and causes of the other offence—­absconding from labor—­will be noticed hereafter.

The atrocities which are practised by the masters and magistrates, are appalling enough.  It is probable that the actual condition of the negroes in Jamaica, is but little if any better than it was during slavery.  The amount of punishment inflicted by the special magistrates, cannot fall much short of that usually perpetrated by the drivers.  In addition to this, the apprentices are robbed of the time allowed them by law, at the will of the magistrate, who often deprives them of it on the slightest complaint of the overseer.  The situation of the free children[A] is often very deplorable.  The master feels none of that interest in them which he formerly felt in the children that were his property, and consequently, makes no provision for them.  They are thrown entirely upon their parents, who are unable to take proper care of them, from the almost constant demands which the master makes upon their time.  The condition of pregnant women, and nursing mothers, is decidedly worse than it was during slavery.  The privileges which the planter felt it for his interest to grant these formerly, for the sake of their children, are now withheld.