W E S T - I N D I A NE C L O G U E S.
L O N D O NPRINTED FOR W. LOWNDES, FLEET-STREETAND J. PHILIPS, GEORGE YARD, LOMBARD-STREET MDCCLXXXVII
A D V E R T I S E M E N T.THE author of the following Eclogues has resided several years in the West-Indies. They, who have spent only a small portion of time there, must have been frequent witnesses (it is to be hoped, unwilling ones also) of barbarities similar to those, which are here related. In delineating the following scenes, the author has painted from actual observation. He writes from the heart: for he feels what he describes. In striving to give simplicity of stile to the dialogue, he may have too much neglected those ornaments, of which Poetry ought never, perhaps, to be entirely destitute. But the praise, due to poetic excellence, has not been the author's chief hope. Humanity has been the first, the leading, motive of this undertaking. And if these Eclogues shall contribute, in the humble sphere, to prevent excessive punishments from being unnecessarily inflicted on that wretched race, to whom they relate,——-the author of them will receive the highest gratification, of which his mind is capable, in the pleasing consciousness, that "One moral, or a mere well-natur'd deed,
TO THERIGHT REVEREND
B E I L B Y,
LORD BISHOP OF CHESTER,(IN GRATITUDE FOR HIS DISCOURSE ON THE CIVILISATION, IMPROVEMENT, AND CONVERSION, OF THE NEGRO-SLAVES IN THE BRITISH ISLANDS IN THE WEST-INDIES, AND FOR HIS CONTINUED PATRONAGE OF EVERY SUBSEQUENT ENDEAVOUR TO ATTAIN THOSE SALUTARY OBJECTS)
THE FOLLOWING ECLOGUESARE MOST HUMBLY AND MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, BY July, 1787. THE AUTHOR.
ECLOGUE THE FIRST.SCENE—JAMAICA.—TIME—MORNING.
THE Eastern clouds declare the coming day,
ADOMA.
Spurn'd from his feet I dar'd to catch his hand,
ADOMA.
How oft to these, with tortures still uncloy'd,
ADOMA. End of the first ECLOGUE.
ECLOGUE THE SECOND.TIME—EVENING.
THE twinkling Orbs which pierce the gloom of night
Talk o'er their former bliss, their present woes;
Thou speak'st of PEDRO.—He possess'd a soul,
JUMBA.
JUMBA.
JUMBA. End of the second ECLOGUE.
ECLOGUE THE THIRD.TIME—NOON.
NOW downward darts the fierce meridian ray,
Where curls the wave, the Pelican on high,
—But now ah! said reverse! our groans arise,
Brought bloody pieces from each quiv'ring part,
Although his body like a bow was bent,
His wither'd limbs denied their wonted aid:
Bid them to fear his wrathful, stern, controul, End of the third ECLOGUE.
ECLOGUE THE FOURTH.TIME—MIDNIGHT.
WITH dreadful darkness now the Isle is crown'd,
"By him, who proud of lordship o'er the field,
"His shrivel'd frame, his sickly pallid face;
"Can I forget each soft, each soothing, art
"Just then—my brain's on fire!—Come, pointed blade,
Then to the place, with frenzy fir'd, he fled,
F I N I S.
N O T E S.
ECLOGUE I.a MYRIADS of these reptiles nightly prowl through the woods, in search of prey; and, at the approach of morn, retire to their lurking places. Their out-cry is remarkbly shrill; but, when softened by distance, to some ears is not disagreeable. Back to text b THE wind blows gently from the land, in Jamaica, towards the sea in every direction, throughout the evening, and night; and continues to blow in the same manner until about the hour of nine in the morning. After that time the heat would soon become intolerable, were it not tempered by a brisk, refreshing, gale from the sea, which almost instantly succeeds the land-breeze. It is first seen to approach the shore in a fine, small, black curl, agitating the water; whilst that part of the sea, at which it hath not yet arrived, is calm and smooth. In the space of half an hour after it has reached the shore, it blows with some briskness, increases in strength until noon, and dies away by degrees about five in the afternoon; and it returns not until the following morning. This sea-breeze checks the fierce rays of the sun, chears the panting inhabitants, and renders this, and the neighbouring Islands, a supportable residence for Europeans. Back to text c THREE, and sometimes four, weeks are allowed for the recovery of the female slaves after child-bed. They are then sent into the field, and toil in common with their fellow-slaves; the infant being either carried on the back of it's mother, or placed on the ground near to the spot where she is directed to work. Back to text
d THOUGH the Negro-drivers on this Island, are in general black-men, yet sometimes a subordinate European is stationed on the field, in order to superintend the whole. Wishing to ingratiate himself with his superiors, and to gain the reputation of being active and vigilant, he daily, under the mask of what is termed necessary discipline, inflicts the severest punishments, for the most trifling offences. The cow-skin, which is in common use, is a durable whip, composed of the tapered slips of cow or buffalo-hide, twisted to a point; to which is added, such a lash as the tormentors may think the best fitted for what they in a facetious tone have been heard to term, cutting up the black-birds. Back to text e THE Fetish or Fetiche, is a name given by the negroes to their deities: some of whom are supposed (in Guinea) to preside over whole provinces, and others, of an inferior rank, over single families only. These supposed divinities are sometimes trees, the head of an ape, or bird, or any other object of a wild fancy; but they are held by the negroes in the highest veneration. Back to text f WHEN the body of the unhappy sufferer is cut into furrows by the operation of the lash, it is frequently scourged a second time with a branch of the Eben, strongly beset with sharp thorns. This greatly increases the torments of the sufferer; but it is said to let out the congealed blood, and to prevent a mortification. The last step of this process of cruelty, is to wash the mangled wretch with a kind of pickle; or to throw him headlong into the sea, the effect of the salt-water being supposed to be nearly equal to that of the pickle. Back to text g WHEN the bodies of the negroes are covered with blood, and their flesh torn to pieces with the driver's whip, beaten pepper, and salt, are frequently thrown on the wounds, and a large stick of sealing-wax dropped down, in flames, leisurely upon them. Back to text
ECLOGUE II.h THE fire-fly seems to be a species of the beetle. Under it's belly, and on each side of it's head, near the eyes, are certain prominent, circular, parts, which appear to be of a green colour in the day, but in the night-season emit a clear, strong, light. For some time after the death of this fly, it's body will still glow, and shine, in the dark; but not so powerfully as when
alive. These flies live in rotten trees, and other places of concealment, in the day; but always come abroad in the night, and are sometimes so numerous as to illuminate the whole atmosphere. Back to text i A PUNISHMENT not uncommon in the West-Indies. Some of the miserable sufferers have been known to exist a week in this most dreadful situation. (See a most affecting account of one instance of this kind, in the Rev. Mr. RAMSAY's Treatise.) Back to text k WHEN this Island of Jamaica was surrendered to the English, in A. D. 1655, and the Spaniards themselves had retired to Cuba, the Spanish slaves were induced by magnificent promises, from their late masters, of speedy and effectual assistance, to retire to the strong fastnesses of the mountains, and to bid defiance to the English power. By the wise, and vigorous measures of Colonel D'OYLEY, the first Governor of Jamaica, (a cavalier, who had greatly distinguished himself by his courage, and conduct, in the civil wars) the power of these rebellious Negroes was soon so broken, as to be thought by many an object of small, or no concern. D'OYLEY, indeed, protested against this conclusion, and urged the necessity of improving the past successes of the English into a compleat, and decisive, subjugation of the revolters: but he was over-ruled. The consequence of this improvident conduct was,—that the small remnant of these revolted slaves, being gradually joined by others from the plantations below, soon made the mountains again terrible to the planters; whom they harrassed with continual, and frequently formidable, attacks for nearly a whole century. At length, in or about the year 1740, a peace was concluded with them by the Hon. EDWARD TRELAWNEY, then governor of the Island:—by the terms of which they were declared free. They were allowed to have a chief to govern them; but he was to be restrained from taking any important measure, without the consent of the governor of the Island. Several white-men were admitted, by the treaty, to live among the late revolters, to observe their actions. But the chief service expected from them, was, and still is,—to bring back to the planters those wretches, whom hunger, or cruelty, forces to the mountains for shelter. They are allowed a premium for every fugitive they restore, and are remarkably vigilant in their employment. Back to text l CERTAIN birds, commonly called in Jamaica black-birds, frequent the inmost recesses of the woods; and at the sight of a human being, they begin
a loud and continual clamour which is heard at a considerable distance. Their noise serves as a guide to the mountain-hunters, who immediately penetrate into that part of the wood, and seize the fugitives. Back to text m THE flying fish (the hirundo, or mugil alatus, of some authors, and the exocætus volitans of the Phil. Trans. vol. 68, part 2d. page 791) has two long fins, which in some degree perform the office of wings. It is about the size of a herring, and of the same shape. When this Fish is pursued, in his native element, by the Dolphin, he springs out of the water, and skims above the surface to a considerable distance. Yet even here he is not safe. The Albitrosses, Sea-gulls, and other aquatic birds, are frequently seen to fall upon, and seize, him in his flight. Should he even escape these (which indeed he frequently does) as soon as his wings, or rather fins, become dry, he drops, and is instantly swallowed by his watry foe; who, during this aerial excursion, eyes him askance, keeping exactly under him: and, while thus pursuing, changes colour in so extraordinary a manner, as to form one of the most beautiful objects in nature. The Bonetta, or Bonita, is another enemy to this fish. It is a species of the Tunny or Traclurus: somewhat like a cod-fish, but much larger, and more beautiful. Back to text
ECLOGUE III.n THE humming-bird (Trochilus, or guainumbi) is admirable for it's beauty, shape, smell, and for the whole of it's mode of existence. In flying it makes a noise exactly like the humming of a bee (from whence it takes it's name) and indeed is not much larger than the humble-bee. It is the least, and yet the most beautiful, of all birds. The colours of the feathers in it's neck, and wing, represent those of the rain-bow. Some of these birds have a vivid redness under their necks, which exceeds the finest carbuncle. The colour of the belly, and the under-part of the wings, is a bright yellow; the thighs are as green as an emerald; the feet, and beak, black as polished ebony, and the head of a fine sea-green colour. It makes a louder noise, in it's flight, than some of the largest birds. And it seems to delight in flying near the faces of travellers; whom it surprises in passing, like a little whirlwind. It's tongue is hollow like a reed, but not larger than a small needle; which, as it can sustain itself a long time on the wing, it thrusts into the blossoms of the
flowers, by the juice's of which it is fed, and supported. The only method of taking these beautiful creatures is to shoot at them with sand, which stuns them. But all die that are taken by this, or any other method; for no human art can supply them with their ordinary food. Back to text o A LARGE Conch shell is used in some plantations to summon the slaves to their labour. On others the call is made by a bell. Back to text p WHEN the Elephant's regular path to the neighbouring river is discovered, the Negroes in Africa dig a pit across it; in the center of which is fixed a sharp-pointed stake, of a large size. About an inch below the surface of the ground a platform is made, over this pit, of slips of cane, and small boughs of trees, upon which are placed the green sods of earth which had been before carefully taken up for that purpose. The huge animal, careless and inoffensive, comes slowly onward, cropping perhaps the pendent branches of the trees on each side of his path: when the first step that he takes on this deceitful covering, plunges him headlong into the pit, where if he be not transfixed by the pointed stake, the Negroes rush from their concealment, and with their javelins soon put an end to his existence. Back to text q SOME few plantations on this island might be enumerated, where by kind and judicious treatment, the Africans have so far multiplied, as to render the purchase of new Negroes (as they are termed) altogether unnecessary. Might not this become general?—The same causes, if suffered to operate fully as they ought, would universally produce the same effects. Setting aside every motive of humanity, sound policy naturally dictates such proceedings as these. And a few, and those not expensive, encouragements held forth to this dejected race, would produce the desired effect: such as the allowance of more ease, and better food, to the Negroes; and a grant of particular privileges, nay even of freedom, to those mothers who have brought up a certain number of children. And the expence of such humane provisions, as well as the temporary abatement (if any should happen) in the exertions of any given number of slaves, would soon be amply repaid, even to the largest plantation, by the savings of the money usually expended in the annual purchase of fresh slaves, and by the great, and acknowledged, superiority of home-born Negroes to those imported from Africa. I am indebted for many of these observations to the 17th Sermon of that most excellent Prelate, to whom, although unknown to him, I have ventured to inscribe this little work: a discourse, in which the
clearness of the understanding, is only to be surpassed by the goodness of the heart, of the Preacher; a discourse which abounds in philanthropy, and enforces humanity upon the most powerful motives, because it is dictated by the genuine principles of the Christian Religion. Back to text
ECLOGUE IV.r IN our winter months the common trade-wind is frequently interrupted by heavy storms from the northward; which, on that side of the island, in particular, where the bays, and the plantations, are exposed to their violence, do immense damage. Thunder is not very frequent at Jamaica; but when it happens, it is astonishingly loud, and terrible. Back to text s THIS cruel practice of the white master, or driver, in forcing the wives of the Negroes to a compliance, cannot be too severely reprobated. It has produced the most fatal consequences in every part of the West-Indies. One instance, which occurred in Jamaica, shall be particularly mentioned. In the first skirmishes which happened with the Spaniards, after the English obtained possession of the Island, those Spanish slaves, in general, who had deserted from their former masters, fought under the English banners with great courage. One slave, in particular, was observed, by Colonel D'OYLEY, the then English governor, to have exerted himself with uncommon intrepidity, and to have killed several Spaniards in close engagement. On inquiry it was found that this Negro had loved a young female slave to distraction; that he had been married to her for some years before the English invaded the Island; and that a short time before that invasion the tyrant, his master, had barbarously torn her from him, and compelled her to submit to his rapacious will. The injured husband implored, and remonstrated: and he was answered—by the whip. The disturbances, consequent upon the English invasion, afforded him an opportunity of an interview with his beloved wife. He told her, in a few words, that he still loved her with too sincere a passion, not to be sensible of what he had lost; but as their former days of love, and purity, could never return, he would not live to see her another's, when she could not be his own; for that, however innocent she might be in intention, he never could take an adulteress into his arms. "Thus, therefore" (says he) "I now exert the rights of a
husband:"—and plung'd his poniard into her heart! He immediately fled to the English. And, in his first engagement with his former masters, having observed his cruel tyrant in the Spanish line, he flew to the place where he fought, and soon laid him, with several other Spaniards, at his feet. Colonel D'OYLEY declared him free, on the field of battle; and accompanied the grant of his freedom with the gift of a small plantation, upon which he lived ever afterwards in quiet, but with a thoughtfulness, and melancholy, which he could never overcome. He survived to a very advanced term of life, dying in the year 1708. His son behaved with the utmost gallantry against the French, in their invasion of Jamaica in A. D. 1695; and hazarded his life, on several occasions, against the mountain-Negroes, whilst they continued in rebellion. Back to text t HURRICANES are so called from the Indian word hurica, which signifies the Devil. Immediately previous to this furious storm, the sea becomes calm on a sudden; then the air instantly becomes darkened (even at noon-day) with thick, and pitchy clouds. Soon the sky seems on fire with horrible lightenings. Then follow dreadful claps of thunder; and the winds immediately succeed with such impetuous force, that they root up the strongest trees, overthrow the firmest houses; and destroy every thing within their vortex. They usually begin in the north; but within the compass of a very few hours, they traverse the whole round of the Heavens, and blow from every point of the compass. Back to text u THE manchineel-tree (hippomane) is very large; it's apple is beautiful to the eye, (being in appearance somewhat like a rich golden pippin) agreeable to the smell, and pleasant to the taste. But if eaten in large quantitites, it is certain death. The savages use the sap of this tree to poison their arms, the wounds of which are thereby rendered mortal. The drops of rain, which fall from it's leaves, raise blisters upon the human body in the most surprizing manner. These trees are in the vegetable, what Lions, and Tygers, are in the animal, kingdom. They make entire deserts in their neighbourhood. Even the shade of these trees is said to be fatal to those who sit long under them, unless their ill effects are timely prevented by proper applciations. (Phil. Trans. vol. 50, p. 772.) Back to text x THE desire of revenge is an impetuous, a ruling passion, in the minds of these African slaves. "Being heathens not only in their hearts, but in their lives, and knowing no distinction between vice and virtue, they give themselves up
freely to the grossest immoralities, without being even conscious they are doing wrong." (Bishop of Chester's Sermon, before quoted.) But were it necessary, many instances might be adduced to shew, that some Negroes are capable of kind, nay even of heroic, actions. The story of QUASHI, related by Mr. RAMSAY, is one signal proof of this assertion. Another can be given by the Author of these Eclogues; who was preserved from destruction by the humanity of a Negro slave. His deliverance, however, was purchased at a price which he must ever deplore. For, in saving his life, the brave, the generous, African lost his own! Back to text
F I N I S.
A Note on the Text
West-Indian Eclogues (London: W. Lowndes and J. Philips, 1787)
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