angry discussion between them and not to accept provision, as not being the Assemblies, there was another the thing he demanded: but he redifficulty in the constitution of plied, 1 shall take the money for I these Assemblies themselves, the understand their meaning, other majority of the members being Qua- grain is gunpowder; which he kers, who were debarred by princi- accordingly bought, and they never ple from granting supplies for mili- objected to it. It was in allusion tary purposes. Yet even with this to this fact, that when in our fire conscientious sect, a compromise company we feared the success of was sometimes made between prin- our proposal in favour of the lottery, ciple and expediency. and I said to a friend of mine, one "My being many years in the of our members, ' If we fail, let us assembly, a majority of which were move the purchase of a fire engine constantly Quakers, gave me fre- with the money; the Quakers can quent opportunities of seeing the have no objection to that; and then embarrassment given them by their if you nominate me and I you as a principle against war, whenever ap- committee for that purpose, we will plication was made to them, by buy a fire engine. I see, says he, order of the crown, to grant aids you have improved by being so long for military purposes. They were in the assembly: your equivocal unwilling to offend government on project would be just a match for the one hand, by a direct refusal; their wheat or other grain." and their friends (the body of the As Franklin was charged by his Quakers) on the other, by a compli- father with a disposition towards ance contrary to their principles; libelling and lampooning in his using a variety of evasions to avoid youth, it is but fair to hear the sencomplying, and modes disguising timents of his maturer years on this the compliance, when it became una- contemptible propensity, the vice of voidable. The common mode at a mind either destitute of other relast was, to grant money under the sources for attracting notice, or phrase of its being for the King's wincing under the merited chastiseuse,' and never to inquire how it ment of meanness and malignity. was applied. But if the demand Franklin had no need of such weawas directly from the crown, that pons to fight his way to notoriety; phrase was found not so proper, and if he ever employed them in his some other was to be invented. precious boyhood, they were soon Thus, when powder was wanting, (I thrown from him with disdain. The think it was for the garrison at experience of a long life, spent amid Louisburg,) and the government of scenes of contention and civil war, New England solicited a grant of in which so many friendships are some from Pennsylvania, which was dissolved, and so many calamities much urged on the house by Gover- inflicted, will not be thought altonour Thomas; they would not gether unworthy of notice, even by grant money to buy powder, be- those who, though they may never cause that was an ingredient of war; have had, like Franklin, a character but they voted an aid to New Eng- to lose, are yet sufficiently alive to land of 3,000 pounds to be put into their own interest. the hands of the Governour, and "In the conduct of my newspaappropriated it for the purchase of per, I carefully excluded all libelbread, flour, wheat, or other grain. ing and personal abuse, which is of Some of the council, desirous of late years become so disgraceful to giving the house still further embar- our country. Whenever I was rassment, advised the Governour solicited to insert any thing of that kind, and the writers pleaded (as viduals, by false accusations of the they generally did) the liberty of the fairest characters among ourselves, press; and that a newspaper was augmenting animosity even to the like a stage-coach, in which any producing of duels; and are moreone who would pay had a right to a over so indiscreet as to print scurplace; my answer was, that I would rilous reflections on the government print the piece separately if desired, of neighbouring states, and even on and the author might have as many the conduct of our best national alcopies as he pleased to distribute lies, which may be attended with himself; but that I would not take the most pernicious consequences. upon me to spread his detraction; These things I mention as a cauand that having contracted with my tion to young printers, and that subscribers to furnish them with they may be encouraged not to what might be either useful or en- pollute the presses, and disgrace tertaining, I could not fill their pa- their profession by such infamous pers with private altercation in practices, but refuse steadily, as which they had no concern, without they may see by example, that such doing them manifestinjustice. Now, a course of conduct will not, on many of our printers make no scru- the whole, be injurious to their inple of gratifying the malice of indi- terests." ACCOUNT OF THE CHRISTMAS RACKET AMONG THE NEGROES IN JAMAICA. MR. EDITOR, From the Edinburgh Magazine, for March, 1818. plorable as the generality of people C. F. B. Edinburgh, March 2, 1818. Falmouth, Jamaica, 3d May, 1810. I SEND you the inclosed original imagine. letter, which I received a few years ago from an intelligent friend in the West Indies, who is now no more, to be inserted, if you think proper, in your valuable Miscellany. As proving that the Negroes have at before Christmas last, I was awakleast a few days' uncontrolled pas- ened one morning before day, with time during the year to lighten the an unusual sound of mirth. th. I heard weary chain of slavery; it will afford a drum beating, and, as near as I pleasure to the philanthropist. could conjecture, about three or four MY DEAR C.-About a fortnight Should you think the subject wor- dozen of voices singing, La, la, la, in thy of your further attention, I great style. On inquiry, I found that shail again trouble you with somere- it was a parcel of Black wenches, marks from the numerous letters of marching up and down, beginning my friend, illustrative of the man- the Christmas racket. Now, you ners and character of these unfortu- must know, that at that merry seanate sons of Adam, who, as my friend son, the Negroes have four days enexpresses it, " were obliged to toil tirely to themselves, namely, Christunder the lash of a cruel taskmaster, mas day, the day before, the day afthat the sons and daughters of a land ter, and New Year's day; during of liberty might sweeten their tea at that time they are free, and a pretty a reasonable rate!" But should this sort of freedom they make of it. letter obtain a corner of your Maga- To prepare for this momentous zine, I shall in my next endeavour period is the business of the whole to shew that the situation of these year; every penny is scraped togeunfortunate beings is not now so de- ther, by begging, borrowing, and : 1 1 stealing. In Falmouth, there are dust. I followed the sound of the two parties, the Blues and Reds, and hurricane that was nearest me, and the whole of the business is, which met the Blues plump in the face..... of these shall excel in dress, num- Lord have mercy on us, such a sight! bers, beauty, and fine singing; their They were dressed exactly alike:... masters and mistresses are also first and foremost, a white musling brought into the scrape; for exam- turban, spangled with silver, was ple, Mr. 's is a Blue house, twisted round their curly locks; in that is, all our Negroes are of the the front of which stuck something Blue party, and we must of course like a feather, and beneath peeped be of the same colour. The Negroes their round and black faces, as "Fair of our next neighbour may be Reds; as the star of the morning." Their that again is called a Red house: necks were uncovered; and to mark with the Whites it is merely a nomi- their colour, they each wore a short nal distinction, but with the Browns spencer of light blue silk, or Persian, and Blacks it is a serious affair. tastefully trimmed with white, and About a fortnight before Christ- bound at the bottom with an orangemas, then, the Negro wenches begin coloured sash, tied in a large knot to prepare. They get up long before behind, with the ends hanging down day, shoulder their water-buckets, to their heels, likewise adorned with and off to the tank for water. The spangles. A short white muslin pettank is a reservoir, which stands in ticoat, with a wrought border, white the middle of the town, where every stockings, and fancy shoes and gloves body gets their water, like your pub- made up the dress. In the front lick wells in Edinburgh; but, instead marched the drummer; on each side of minding their business, down go of him a standard bearer (men) carthe buckets. The Blues collect in rying, one a silk flag of light blue, one corner; the Reds in another; and the other a white, famously deand there they begin. Some stout corated. Round these were collectNegro man joins each party, who ed all the idlers, or mobility, some can beat, and rattles away at their playing on one thing. some another, head on an old drum, keeping all keeping good time. Close followtime to their voices; this continues ing came the Queen, (each party has till after day-break, when they are a King and Queen,) supported on obliged to muster up their scattered each side by a maid of honour, glit utensils, and trudge home. This is what I call the rehearsal, and the nearer it draws to Christmas, the more assemble, and the longer the said rehearsal lasts. tering in finery; after her followed The much wished for morning dawns at last, to the great joy of rear. The drums beat and the ladies the whole black race, and to the sing. The glittering colours wave in great annoyance of all lovers of the sun-beams, and the multitude repeace and good order. Buckra's joice. The Reds follow the same (white person) house is left to take order, only red is their predominant care of itself; out set the Negroes, colour. one and all, to the jubilee, and about You will naturally ask where do daylight the damnable uproar begins; slaves get all this? I'll tell you: the drums, fifes, tambourines, fiddles, Mulattos take a principal part in and voices, La, la, la. I pulled on the fray. The elderly brown women my clothes last Christmas morning, in Falmouth, many of whom are well. and set out determined to see the to do, head the different parties in private, regulate the ceremonies, always a free black. Immediately at and purchase the dresses out of their dusk, a thousand candles are lighted own purse, while the young brown up, and the procession moves by girls make them; and to such a height candle light. About seven each party is the spirit of emulation carried, takes their station before the princithat the brown woman who headed pal house of their colour. The Blues the Reds last year, said publickly, last year encamped before our door, that, "before the Blues should gain and the King made the piazza the the day, she would sell a Negro, and hall of audience. The Reds were alspend every farthing of the money." most opposite at another house. In In this order, then, and with the our piazza a table was set forth cogreatest glee imaginable, do the two vered. On it stood a cake six stories parties parade up and down, from high, round, each story smaller as it one corner of the town to the other, drew towards the top, powdered all day. The first day of the year over with sugar, and on each side of is the last and grand exhibition, and it stood half a dozen of Madeira, it is then that the great trial of glasses, &c. &c. At this table sat strength takes place, and the King their Majesties attended, and the makes his appearance. In the fore- piazza was perfectly full of people of noon it is not known who will gain all descriptions. Mr. and Mrs. the day, for many additions take and some company which we had place on both sides. About five in that day at dinner, came all down to the evening both parties make their pay their respects. They drank a appearance complete. The musick glass of wine with the sovereigns, comes first; then comes the King, and marched up stairs again. The superbly dressed in blue and red, co- rest at this time had formed a circle vered with gold or silver lace, a at the door, and there they dance, sword at his side, and a cocked hat. surrounded by the candle holders On his right walks her Majesty; on and an immense mob. At ten the his left the chief maid of honour. procession moves off in order; the Immediately behind comes his Ma- King and Queen are escorted to their jesty's chief officer, with other two abode; he bows, and she curtsies to principal dames on each arm; and their subjects; the subjects bow in so on in succession, a gentleman be- return. Three loud cheers are giv-. ing now placed between each two en; the drums beat, and the colours ladies, all attired in court dresses. wave. Their majesties retire. The The King and his retinue are gene- candles are put out, and I conclude rally the handsomest young Negroes my letter. in the town. The King himself is A LONDON FASHIONS, FOR JUNE, 1818. From Ackerman's Repository, for June, 1818. WALKING DRESS. a similar style; it stands back, and HIGH dress composed of pea- displays the lace collerette or frill green sarsnet, made very short worn underneath. The waist is orin the waist, and with a plain broad namented by a band tassel, and back. Long sleeve, rather loose, the bottom of the skirt finished finished at the bottom with white with folds of pea-green satin and satin honeycombed. A very full rich silk trimming placed alternateepaulette sleeve, the fulness con- ly. Head-dress, a pea-green satin fined in compartments by silk trim- toque, ornamented with flowers. ming. The collar is ornamented in Gloves and shoes to correspond. EVENING DRESS. There is no col which we have seen is composed of A white net gown over a pale fine plain clear muslin, and lined. blush-coloured slip; the body is with bright green sarsnet, the skirt made tight to the shape, and cut gored and made full. The waist very low all around the bust, which is very short, the back is full, and is delicately shaded by an under the body richly decorated with front of white lace. The bust of lace, put on in a novel and rather the dress is tastefully ornamented whimsical manner in four zig-zag by rich white silk trimming; a band rows, laid one above another, which of the same round the waist, with forms a pelerine and half-sleeve, white silk tassels tied in front, gives for they come no farther than the an elegant finish to the body of the shoulder in front. dress. The skirt is trimmed with lar, but a very rich lace ruff, usudraperies of net interspersed with ally left open at the throat, is worn bunches of roses: these draperies with this pelisse. Long full sleeve, are placed high, and the skirt is the fulness confined from the wrist finished round the bottom by a nar- about half way to the elbow by narrow trimming, of a novel descrip- row bands of bias green satin, tion, composed of satin and a rich which are finished at each edge by flounce of blond lace. Short full a row of gimp.. The trimming of. sleeve. Head-dress, a toque com- the pelisse consists of a broad posed of richly embroidered gauze, flounce of lace, which goes up the ornamented with an elegant plume fronts and round the bottom, and of white feathers, which are placed is surmounted by a wreath of leaves so as to fall over on the right formed of joining lace, which is let side. Pearl necklace and ear-rings. in immediately above the flounce. White kid gloves, and white satin shoes. GENERAL OBSERVATION The materials for carriage bonnets are white satin, white gauze, net, or chip: the latter, however, is but partially worn. The crowns of bonnets continue to be made The summer fashions this year low, but the brims are considerably are, with the exception of those larger than we ever remember to adopted by our fair pedestrians, have seen them: when, however, more than usually various and ele- which is frequently the case, the gant. For walking dress, plainness brim is composed of a transparent and simplicity seems to be the order material, its immense size does not of the day. Plain muslin high render it unbecoming. Some bondresses, with silk pelisses or spen- nets are entirely transparent, but cers, and very large Leghorn, fine we have not noticed many of them, straw, or silk and straw bonnets, the most fashionable being either which are generally trimmed with composed of plain white satin, or flowers, are most prevalent. High else having a gauze or net front, silk dresses, made always in light with a white satin crown covered colours, and in a manner similar to with gauze or net. Flowers are the the one we have given in our print, favourite ornaments, but white feaare also in very general estimation. thers are adopted for satin bonnets For the carriage and dress pro- by many élégantes. Blond is a menade, pelisses composed of clear great deal used, particularly for muslin, lined with coloured sarsnet, satin bonnets, the brims of which are and profusely trimmed with white generally edged with it, Ruches of lace, are considered very tonish. blond, net, and gauze, are also in The most elegant of these pelisses request for the brims of bonnets. |