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•We now set out from Paramaribo for Sporkesgift, in a tent-boat or barge, rowed by eight of the best negroes belonging to Mr. Macneyl's estate; every body travelling by water in this colony.

• These barges I cannot better describe than by comparing them with those that accompany what is usually styled the lord mayor's show on the river Thames. They are, however, somewhat less, though some are very little inferior in magnificence, and are often decorated with gilded flags, filled with musicians, and abound in every convenience. They are sometimes rowed by ten and even by twelve oars, and being lightly built, sweep along with astonishing celerity. The rowers never stop, from the moment they set out till the company is landed at the place of destination; but continue, the tidę serving or not, to tug night and day, sometimes for twenty-four hours together, singing a chorus all the time to keep up their spirits. When their labour is over, their naked bodies still dripping with sweat, like post-horses, they headlong, one and all, plunge into the river to refresh themselves. Mr. Macneyl at this time discharged his overseer, for having by his bad usage and cruelty caused the death of three or four but another instance throws a shade over the humanity of this gentleman, which I should be guilty of partiality did I not relate.

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Having observed a handsome young negro walk very lamely, while the others were capering and dancing, I enquired into the cause of his cripple appearance; when I was informed by this gentleman, that the negro having repeatedly run away from his work, he had been obliged to hamstring him, which operation is performed by cutting through the large tendon above one of the heels. However severe this instance of despotism may appear, it is nothing when com pared with some barbarities which the task I have undertaken will oblige me, at the expence of my feelings, to relate.

'I afterwards made an excursion with a Mr. C. Ryndorp, who rowed me in his barge to five beautiful coffee estates, and one sugar plantation, in the Mattapaca, Paramarica, and Werapa

creeks; on one of which, called Schovnort, I was the witness to a scene of barbarity which I cannot help relating.

The victim of this cruelty was a fine old negro slave, who having been as he thought undeservedly sentenced to receive some hundred lashes by the lacerating whips of two negrodrivers, in the midst of the execution pulled out a knife, which, after having made a fruitless thrust at his persecutor the overseer, he plunged up to the haft in his own bowels, repeating the blow till he dropped down at the tyrant's feet. For this crime he was, being first recovered, condemned to be chained to the furnace which distils the kill-devil (new rum), there to keep in the intense heat of a perpetual fire night and day, being blistered all over, till he should expire by infirmity or old age, of the latter of which however he had but little chance. He shewed me his wounds with a smile of contempt, which I returned with a sigh and a small donation: nor shall I ever forget the miserable man, who, like Ceberus, was loaded with irons, and chained to everlasting torment. As for every thing else I observed in this little tour, I must acknowledge it to be elegant and splendid, and my reception hospitable beyond my expectation; but these Elysian fields could not dissipate the gloom which the infernal furnace had left upon my mind.

'I now took an opportunity to enquire of Mrs. Demelly what was become of the amiable Joanna; and was informed that her lady, Mrs. D. B. had escaped to Holland on board the Boreas man-of-war, under the protection of captain Vande-Velde, and that her young mulatto was now at the house of her aunt, a free woman, whence she expected hourly to be sent up to the estate Fauconberg, friendless, and at the mercy of some unprincipled overseer appointed by the creditors, who had now taken possession of the plantation and stock, till the whole should be sold to pay the several sums due to them by Mr. D. B.---Good God!--I flew to the spot in search of poor Joanna: I found her bathed in tears.--She gave me such a look---ah! such a look!--From that moment I determined to be her protector against every insult, and persevered, as shall

be seen in the sequel.--Here, reader, let my youth, blended with extreme sensibility, plead my excuse; yet assuredly my feelings will be forgiven me--by those few only exceptedwho delight in the prudent conduct of Mr. Incle, to the hapless and much-injured Yarico at Barbadoes.

'I next ran to the house of my friend Lolkens, who happened to be the administrator of the Fauconberg estate; and asking his assistance, I intimated to him my strange determination of purchasing and educating Joanna. Having recovered from his surprize, after gazing at me silently for some time, an interview at once was proposed; and the beauteous slave, accompanied by a female relation, was produced trembling in my presence.

'Reader, if you have perused the tale of Lavinia, with pleasure, though the scene admits of no comparison, reject not the history of Joanna with contempt.--It now proved to be she who had privately sent me the cordial and the oranges in March, when I was nearly expiring, and which she now modestly acknowledged "was in gratitude for my expressions of compassion respecting her sad situation;" with singular delicacy, however, she rejected every proposal of becoming mine upon any terms. She was conscious, she said, "that in such a state should I soon return to Europe, she must either be parted from me for ever, or accompany me to a part of the world where the inferiority of her condition must prove greatly to the disadvantage of both herself and her benefactor, and thus in either case be miserable." In which sentiment Joanna firmly persisting, she was immediately permitted to withdraw, and return to the house of her aunt; while I could only intreat of Mr. Lolkens his generous protection for her, and that she might at least for some time be separated from the other slaves, and continue at Paramaribo; and in this request his humanity was induced to indulge me.

About this time the rangers discovered and attacked a village, which rendered it probable that we might be speedily employed. This had become extremely desirable, as not only our officers, but our privates, began to feel the debilitating effects of the climate, and many, of that continued debauchery VOL. I. 2 I

so common in all ranks in this settlement: and as hard labour and bad treatment constantly killed the poor sailors, so now our common soldiers fell the victims of idleness and licentiously, and died frequently six or seven in a day; whence it is evident to demonstration, that all excesses, of whatever kind, are mortal to Europeans in the climate of Guiana.

But men will give lessons which they do not themselves observe. Thus, notwithstanding my former resolution of living retired, I again relapsed into the vortex of dissipation. I became a member of a drinking-club, I partook of all polite and impolite amusements, and plunged into every extravagance without exception. I did not, however, escape without the punishment I deserved. I was seized suddenly with a dreadful fever; and such was its violence, that in a few days I was no more expected to recover. In this situation I lay in my hammock until the 17th of May, with only a soldier and my black boy to attend me, and without any other friend; when happily poor Joanna, one morning, entered my apartment, to my unspeakable joy and surprize, with one of her sisters. She informed me that she was acquainted with my forlorn situation; that if I still entertained for her the same good opinion, her only request was, that she might wait upon me till I should be recovered. I indeed gratefully accepted her offer; and by her unremitting care and attention had the good fortune so far to regain my health and spirits, as to be able, in a few days after, to take an airing in Mr. Kennedy's carriage.

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Till this time I had chiefly been Joanna's friend; but now I began to feel I was her captive. I renewed my wild proposals of purchasing, educating, and transporting her to Europe; which, though offered with the most perfect sincerity, were, by her, rejected once more, with this humble declaration:

"I am born a low contemptible slave. Were you to treat me with too much attention, you must degrade yourself with all your friends and relations; while the purchase of my free. dom you will find expensive, difficult, and apparently impos sible. Yet though a slave, I have a soul, I hope, not inferior

to that of an European; and blush not to avow the regard I retain for you, who have distinguished me so much above all others of my unhappy birth. You have, sir, pitied me; and now, independent of every other thought, I shall have pride in throwing myself at your feet, till fate shall part us, or my conduct become such as to give you cause to banish me from your presence.'

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This was uttered with a downcast look, and tears dropping on her heaving bosom, while she held her companion by the hand. From that instant this excellent creature was mine ;-nor had I ever after cause to repent of the step I had taken, as will more particularly appear in the course of this narrative.

'I cannot omit to record, that having purchased for her presents to the value of 20 guineas, I was the next day greatly astonished to see all my gold returned upon my table; the charming Joanna having carried every article back to the merchants, who cheerfully returned her the money.

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"Your generous sentiments alone, sir," she said, sufficient; but allow me to tell you, that I cannot help considering any superfluous expence on my account as a diminution of that good opinion which I hope you have, and will ever entertain, of my disinterested disposition.”

• Such was the language of a slave, who had simple nature only for her instructor, the purity of whose sentiments stood in need of no comment, and these I was now determined to improve by every care.

I shall now only add, that a regard for her superior virtues, so singular amongst her cast, gratitude for her particular attention to me, and the pleasure of producing to the world such an accomplished character under the appearance of a slave, could alone embolden me to risk the censure of my readers, by intruding on them this subject: let this be my apology, and if it be accepted but by few, I shall not be inclined to complain.

In the evening I visited Mr. Demelly, who, with his lady, congratulated me on my recovery from sickness; and at the same time, however strange it may appear to many readers,

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