MARTIN AND DOW ISON ON THE BRITISH WEST INDIAN COLONIES.

Wit AT are the differences between a compiler and an historian ? Many and mighty. The compiler undertakes a given work. in a given period, for a given sum, sometimes with an ulterior object, more frequently with none. The historian is urged to his labour of love by an instinctive passion; or great knowledge combining with genius forces out the work by an irresistible impulse, as heat and water in the interior cavities of the earth generate steam, which will find a vent though an earthquake follow. The ono hastily collects his materials for the nonce ; they are received with- out much examination, garnered without selection, and sent to an early market in a somewhat crude state. The other works more slowly : he fetches his matter from far and near, and not only from obvious but from latent sources, gleaning the field as well as gathering the harvest. What is thus procured by time and travail, is subject to long and careful preparation : the rubbish is thrown aside, the dust and chaff are winnowed away, the re- mainder is frequently sifted, and even the " choice and prime" are submitted to severe trial. The labour of execution in the true historian begins long after that of the compiler has ended ; or if a compiler of the better sort, with knowledge to judge and taste to select, devotes more pains to his task, the mode of working is dif- ferent. The latter uses the chemistry of art: the utmost he can do is to fuse his materials ; they are blended, not changed. The historians works by an operation analogous to that of mature: by a process similar to digestion, all that he receives becomes an integral part of his subject ; and as every living thing, from the plant to man, grows and is sustained by some mysterious in- ternal principle, operating upon various foreign substances— making air, earth, and water, vegetables, or animals, part of itself—so, well-trained genius digests the pabulum which it has received from innumerable quarters, till it becomes bone of its bone and flesh of its liesh.

The character of Mr. Mseri N's work may be gathered when we say, that he is not an historian in point of execution, but ap- proaches the character in his statistical facts. The plan which the author has pursued in this volume on the West Indies, is not dissimilar to that which he followed in the East, excepting that the number of distinct countries or colonies involves a more minute subdivision, eseh of them being separately treated. In every ease, he commences with an account of the geographical position of the colony, and a brief sketch of its history : next conies a description of its physical aspect, of its soil and climate, and of its mineral, vegetable, and animal productions: the varieties and character of its population, the nature of its government, and of its civil and military establishments, then follow : to these succeeds the matter which gives the chief character and value to the work —the remarks on the commerce, monies, weights and measures,

revenue and expenditure of the settlement, with elaborate statis- tical tables on each subject: some general information on the press, the state of education, and religion, frequently closes the chapter. The volume is opened by an indifferent introduction, ambitiously written ; and wound up by some suggestions for deve- loping the resources, increasing the commerce, and improving the taxation of the West Indian colonies. An appendix, principally consisting of tables relating to the general statistics of the sub- ject, is added ; and the volume is illustrated by four good maps.

As a work of' reference, Mr. MARTIN'S publication will be necessary to all libraries whose owners take an interest in Colonial

Affairs; for it contains information which cannot be procured else- where. It is also useful as conveying some general information on the history and government of each colony. Could we place that implicit reliance upon our author's conclusions which we are dis- posed to place in every thing relating to naked facts, we might extend the remark to the available capabilities of the soil, the peculiarities of the climate, and the present commercial uses of the natural productions. But we have great doubts respecting the exactness of his knowledge and the sobriety of his views. His descriptions of the characters and social manners of time people, and of the physical aspect of the countries, are minute, but some- what tame and dry, notwithstanding an affectation of forcible writing. For pictures of nature and of life, we must turn to another writer—Howisoar—who has simultaneously exercised his pen on the subject of the Colonies, and who with admirable descriptive

powers possesses the great advantage of having seen what he professes to describe; which we believe, as regards the West Indies, Mr. MARTIN has not.

The voyager coming from the northward experiences a delicious change of climate when he enters the sphere of the trade-winds. The air has no longer any harshness or asperity; it feels soft and bland to the skin, and respiration is particularly slow and easy ; mists and fogs are unknown ; the sea is but slightly agitated; and the mind partakes of the tranquillity of nature and becomes re. conciled to the imprisonment of a ship. Columbus appears to have enjoyed all this in his first voyage, for we find the following remarks in his journal soon after be had got within the influence of the trade-wind. " The air was mild arid de- lightful, and we wanted nothing but the song of the nightingale; and the sea was as smooth as a river." In another place he says, " The sea was like the river of Seville, thank God ! the temperature was also as moderate as it is there in the middle of April, and the air was so fragrant that it was a pleasure to breathe."

In no part of the ocean are voyages attended with so much enjoyment as in the West Indian sew, between November and May. The temperature of the air is then always regular and moderate; the sea breeze blows steadily during the day, and the land wind succeeds it at night. No sooner does the vessel lose sight of one island than she conies in view of another ; and she often finds herself in the lst of three or four of them ; while hour after hour new scenes of beauty unfold themselves to the eye : here the rich and cultivated savannah is seen ex- tending bark from the shore; there forests, impenetrable by the sun, cover the plains and hills • or naked cliffs riseperpendicularly born the smooth beach, and the pinnacles of mountains appear far inland, thew ridges sloping gradually to the edge of the sea, where the vet dant mangroves conceal the strand, and are washed by the white surf of the advancing tide. Nowhere dues the soil afford a greater variety of productions, whether useful or luxurious. The forests abound with valuable timber, the mountains supply exhaustless streams of excellent water, and the plains and vallie% are, during the greater part of the year, covered with rich pastures. The cultivated savannas produce the maize, or Indian corn, yielding two crops a year; and also rice and millet, and calavunces, besides yams, potatoes of different kinds, cassava, and all the best European vegetables. Plantations of sugar cane extend over a large pat t of the country ; and groves of coffee, cocoa, and cotton trees flourish wherever they happen to be planted and nursed by the hand of man. The gardens con- tain an assemblage of the finest fruits in the world. In them the pine-apple, the mango, the orange, the avocado-pear, the guava, the custard-apple, the banana, the shaildock, the fig, and the pomegranate, attract the attention, and equally delight the eye and gratify the taste. The cattle and other domestic animals of Europe, as may be supposed, thrive in such a country, and affind abundant sup- plies of flood, in addition to the small game which is more or leas plentiful iu all the uncultivated districts.—Howisun, Vol. II.

We subjoin a bit or two from the section on West Indian European society, especially in Jamaica. Besides the merit of the composition, it has an immediate interest. The reasons which Mr. HOWISON assigns for its superior elegance, are in part those by which the author of England and America accounts for the early and rapid prosperity of the settlement. The founders of the new colony of South Australia aim at producing a similar state of society by similar means—the combination of labour— with this advantage, that the labour will be free, not slavish. The striking point of difference in mind between the West Indians and the settlers of other colonies, is ascribed by Mr. IIOWISON partly to the same causes. Australia will have a natural advantage : there will be no tropical climate to contend Though most of the adventurers who first settled in Jamaica were persons of low origin and profligate habits, it was not long helm e many emigrants of a sti- perior description began to flock to the island. The political troubles and dis- seneions in which the British nation was involved during the middle of the seven- teenth century, induced many respectable families to seek an asylum abroad ; and not a few of these chose Jamaica or Barhadoca for their homea; and bring- ing with them cultivated manners and liberal ideas, they formed communities of a grade and character which are never to be found in the new colonies of any nation in the present day. Nor did their change of condition lead to that dege- neration Of manners which usually attends the removal of men accustomed to the conveniences of civilized life to a sphere in which these do not exist, and where objects of absolute necessity must at first engage their minds, to the ex- clusion of those of ornament or mere agreeableness. For the planters had their estates cultivated by slaves, whose labours they merely superintended, instead of participating in them ; and thus they enjoyed perhaps more leisure than they had done in their native country ; while at the saute time the extreme fruitful- ness of the soil enabled them to obtain easily the necessai ies of life, to exercise hospitality, and to dismiss from their minds all subordinate cares respecting their means of subsistence. Never before had any new colonists so few dith culties to encounter, or so little occasion for the exercise of patience and perse- verance. Instead of finding their place of settlement embowered by forests and unfit for cultivation till the timber was felled and removed, they saw around them fertile and open savannas ready to be broken up by the hoe or the plough ; a variety cf fine fruits indigenous to the islands grew in natural orchards ; the interior of the country swarmed with wild cattle, which every man had a full liberty to hunt and kill for his own use ; and a mild and agreeable climate ren- dered unnecessary the erection of substantial and expensive buildings, either fur residence or for storing the produce of the soil: Under such favourable circum- stances the West Indian planters could scarcely fail to prosper ; and from the absence of hardship or privation in the commencement of their career, doubtless resulted that buoyancy of disposition and liberal hospitality, and those social propensities, for which they were distingushed at a very early plied, and have continued to be so ever since.

In comparing the character of the West Indian planters with that of other Europeans living in a similar climate, we perceive one striking point of differ- ence, which it is more easy to describe than to account fur. We are led by com- mon observations to conclude that Europeans resident in tropical regions always lose either entirely or iu a considerable degree, their physical and mental activity ; and this more particularly if they are surrounded by slaves or obsequious atten- dants. The Dutch in the Eastern islands slumber away their lives in unbroken quiescence, and never excercise their faculties except in performing those trivial duties which belong to their official situations; the English inhabitants of Hin- dostan are languid and indolent, and slow of excitement ; the Spaniards residing in the Philippines and in central America have the same character ; and the in- habitants of the European establishments on the West coast of Africa equally ex- perience the sedative and enfeebling effects of a but climate. But the British West Indian forms a contrast to all these examples. Buoyant in disposition, active in his habits, full of enterprise, jealous of his rights, devoted to business, and sensitive and spirited in all the relations of life, he is a totally different being from what we are accustomed to meet with anywhere else within the limits of the torrid zone. That monotony of ideas, languor of manner, and frigidity of expression, which are the general characteritics of European society in tropical climates, are scarcely observable in the West Indies, where almost every one has an air of occupation and natural enjoyment, and where people appear to seek for sources of interest and excitement Instead of idly waiting till these happen to present themselves. It seems certain that the West Indians are in reality a happier set of men than other Europeans similarly situated, for they are seldom heard to make those complaints which have such universal currency amongst the residents of hot climates ; they do not murmur at being exiled irons their native land ; they do -ant depreciate the region in which they abide, and, vilify its inhabitants; nor do they torment themselves by calculating haw long it will be before they can return to Europe. On the contrary, they rather affect alind of insousiance its regard to such subjects, and are generally disposed to view their condition with complacency and satisfaction, instead of studying to find out masons for being

discontented. • • • • •

The West Indian planters, generally speaking, are men a intelligence, good sense, and liberal ideas ; affecting no fantastic refinement, and' at.the same time, fur the most part, destitute of that which is produced by a taste for literature and the cultivation of the fine arts. A considerable portion of their time is em- ployed in the superintendence of their estates ; and the pleasure to which they chiefly devote their leisure moments is that of social intercourse. They shine

as convivial companions, and are never so happy as when exercising hospitality; which they do in a most agreeable and attractive style, whether as respects their

personal deportment towards their guests, or the enjoyments and accommoda- tions which they place at their disposal. Their tables are always abundant, and often luxut ious; and never more so than when the materials which cover theta are exclusively the products of the West Indian islands.

Mr. MARTIN can afford no extracts equal to these, either in ease, force, or effect. His forte is in a different way, and lies amongst figures and practical facts ; though, like very moderate people, when he does break bounds, his siectilations are somewhat of the wildest. Take his notions of Lunar influences, and let us no longer wonder at MILTON'S poetical " moon-struck madness," after MARTIN'S closing prose.

In considering the climate of tropical countries) the influence of the moon seems to be entirely overlooked ; and surely if the tides of the vast ocean are raised limn their fathomless bed by lunar power, it is not too much to assert that the titles of the atmosphere are liable to a similar influence; this much is certain, that, in the low lands of tropical countries no attentive observer of nature will fail to witness the power exercised by the moon over the seasons, and also over animal anti vegetable nature. As regards the latter, it may be stated that there are certainly thirteen springs and thirteen autumns in Demo- rare in the year ; for so many times does the sap of trees ascend to the branches and descend to the roots. For example, the wallaba (a resinous tree, common in the Demerara woods, somewhat resembling mahogany), if cut down in the dark, a few days before the new moon, it is one of the most durable woods in the world for house-building, posts, &c. ; in that state, attempt to split it, and with the utmost difficulty it will he riven in the most jagged unequal man- ner that can be imagined ; cut down another wallaba (that grew within a few yards of the former), at fall moon and the tree can be easily split into the finest smooth shingles of any desired thickness, or into staves for making casks; but, in this state, applied to house-building purposes, it speedily decays. Again, bamboos, as thick as a man's arm, are sometimes used for paling, &c. : if eat at the dark moon, they will endure for ten or twelve years; if at full unarm, they will be rotten in two or three years; thus is it with most, if not all, the forest trees. Of the effects of the moon on animal life, very many instances could be cited. I have seen in Africa the newly littered young perish in a few hours, at the mother's side, if exposed to the rays of the full moon; fish become rapidly putrid ; and meat, if left exposed, incurable or unpreservable by salt; the mariner, heedlessly sleeping on deck, becoming afflicted with nyctolopia or night blindness ; at tittles the face hideously swollen if exposed during sleep to the moon's rays; the maniac's paroxysms renewed with fearful vigour at the full and change, and the cold damp chill of the ague supervening on the as- cendancy of this apparently mild yet powerful luminary. Let her influence over this earth be studied : it is more powerful than is generally known.

The following calculation is curious, if true. The Englishman, it will be seen, indulges more in idleness than any other European, except the Spaniard, whom we reckon half a Moor ; and does not work more days than the lowest in the scale. The German excels the Scot in labour, and equals hint in drink. The statements respecting the cross-breeds—the Mulatto and the Mestize—accord in substance with HowisoN's account, though they are somewhat contrary to the general opinion. The remarks on the " Free Negro" seem to spring from a person prejudiced in favour of slavery.

According to the testimony of Mr. Hillhouse, wino has resided in the West Indies for many years, the following is the scale of life or occupation of the year, from the Line to the 20th of North latitude. I give it as the production den analytical mind without vouching for its infallibility. 4,

e'e I

INFERENCES. REMARKS, AND DESTINATION.

If the E iropean attains independence, his constitution is so much shattere' that he is unab c to enjoy it. The life of the Creole Spaniard appears th. pleasantest and that of the Negro slave of the best moral and political tendency The intemperance of the European is frequent, but not excessive or of to duration; but of the others, though seldom indulged in, it is more prolong and desperate. We have stated our doubts as to the sobriety of some of Mr. MARTIN'S views. The expression applies to the favourable, not to say the high-flown manner in which he regards the present caps- -bilitiaa of the West Indian settlements. Each of them is de- scribed as a perfect jewel, and with the tone of a knight of he banuner lavishing his ready panegyrics on each. successive lot. He does net perhaps exaggerate in. lain actual fae_tzs ;. but-his views 33 lie generally keeps the Sabbath; and retires to Bath or Cheltenham a wealthy and superan- nuated invalid. Drinking his whisky punch at night, and biting others ise poorly, to shine hereafter in Auld Heckle. 50 63 Werk-en-R ust (the burial-ground). 115 Ile buys a title and estate in Flanders, or dies from drinking sour claret.

Ile drinks drams, from sun-rise to breakfast. sys• tematically, and modifies the miasma without detriment to his business or constitution. 20 A Lordship on the Rhine. 133 Attached to the soil, from wbcace he //over re- moves.

50 }A premature death from drunkenness or its con- 65 65 united to the evils of coasting

25 'poverty and want.

95 Dies at au advanced age from want.

50 After ten or fifteen years of invalided ease, be

dies of old age, having never known want.

30 50 10 100 50 10

50 501 50i 10

0 a

English 200

Scotch 265 Irish 200 French 200 Dutch 225 German 275 Spaniard 100

Mulatto ... Mestizo ... Indium Free Nevo Negro Slave

100 100 90 50 230 50 50

50

40 20 20 20

20

100 50 25 50 20 25 100 125 150 150 30