1.  The severity of the drought.  He had been in Antigua since the year 1800, and he had never known so long a continuance of dry weather, although the island is subject to severe droughts.  He stated that a field of yams, which in ordinary seasons yielded ten cart-loads to the acre, would not produce this year more than three.  The failure in the crops was not in the least degree chargeable upon the laborers, for in the first place, the cane plants for the present crop were put in earlier and in greater quantities than usual, and until the drought commenced, the fields promised a large return.

2. The religious condition of the negroes, during slavery, was extremely low.  It seemed almost impossible to teach them any higher religion than obedience to their masters.  Their highest notion of God was that he was a little above their owner.  He mentioned, by way of illustration, that the slaves of a certain large proprietor used to have this saying, “Massa only want he little finger to touch God!” that is, their master was lower than God only by the length of his little finger.  But now the religious and moral condition of the people was fast improving.

3.  A great change in the use of rum had been effected on the estates under his management since emancipation.  He formerly, in accordance with the prevalent custom, gave his people a weekly allowance of rum, and this was regarded as essential to their health and effectiveness.  But he has lately discontinued this altogether, and his people had not suffered any inconvenience from it.  He gave them in lieu of the rum, an allowance of molasses, with which they appeared to be entirely satisfied.  When Mr. H. informed the people of his intention to discontinue the spirits, he told them that he should set them the example of total abstinence, by abandoning wine and malt liquor also, which he accordingly did.

4.  There had been much less pretended sickness among the negroes since freedom.  They had now a strong aversion to going to the sick house[A], so much so that on many estates it had been put to some other use.

[Footnote A:  The estate hospital, in which, during slavery, all sick persons were placed for medical attendance and nursing.  There was one on every estate.]

We were taken through the negro village, and shown the interior of several houses.  One of the finest looking huts was decorated with pictures, printed cards, and booksellers’ advertisements in large letters.  Amongst many ornaments of this kind, was an advertisement not unfamiliar to our eyes—­“THE GIRL’S OWN BOOK.  BY MRS. CHILD.”