ones; here he learns the news of the day, takes some refreshment
or cordials, and returns home at three to dinner, which is often
in the society of his friends. Some have the same custom here as
prevails in the south of Europe, of indulging themselves with a nap
in the afternoon, but others rather prefer a walk- Abdul six o'clock,
after taking his tea, if he is not engaged in any other company, he
again visits the club to play at cards or billiards, and about ten he
returns home to his supper, and then to rest.
Several gentlemen who have a taste o for music hold a concert
almost every week, to which they invite company. There is likewise
a theatre here, and gentlemen, for their amusement, have given, n s
several representations ; amongst them were some very excellent
performers.
Besides the balls given by the governor and general in honour of
some particular days, there are also,, subscription balls, where
the colour of the dresses cannot afford more variety than the different
complexions of the, company;«
• The inhabitants who are born here of European parent&, or ;tlie
creoles, shew, in their infancy, an early display of extraordinary talents
; but they are like the fertile soil erf the tropics, which, if not
well cultivated, will soon be pverspread with Wrepd&V i Some, who
have the good fortune to obtain proper instructions, prove that they
are capable of being brought up to any line pf business. They
possess a strong memory for learning languages, and they are all
distinguished by the excellence of ihçir hand-writing ; fencing they
learn well, as also the use of other arms, and they shew a great deal
of address in all .bodily; exercises. The people of colour born in this
colony possess much the same talents as those born of European
parents, and are well made. The women are remarkable for their
fin e figure, beautiful eyes, and fine teeth ; but their dark complexion
admits not the rosy colour of the cheeks : the hair is crisped ; but
the mestizos, who are bom of an European father and a mulatto
mm
woman, are a degree more remote from the negro; and these persons
are often so fair as to be hardly distinguishable from the Europeans.
Tbe quaderopris -a^re still a degree nearer the Europeans, all the distinctions
between them are no lojng£r perceptible, and the jiaws themselves
give them the same rights as Europeans. They possess* a great
deal of vivacity iii their temper, much natural wit, and, it is said, they
are very constant in their affection. A curious custom prevails here
. among the free coloured women, who will sometimes challenge one
another, when they are offended, before a tribunal of their own sex.
They appoint a «day and fix a place,which is in general a handsome
garden, where a large tent is**erected, and in the evening is well lighted
up. Thé lady who first gave the challenge is seated in the principal
part of the tent, surrounded by her own slaves,and thoseofher friends,
finely dressed. A circus ©f chairs is placed for the visitors. $ The
lady (or to whom she gives the commission) sings a line; containing
part of her corn plaint, or; some reflection upon her antagonistand
this* is repeated in a chorus bythéiattending female slaves* and followed
by other lines until it becomes a complete.song, between the
different parts of which there is a dance; and the negro fepalesran-;
company the movements and mark the time with fruit-shells strung
on a string like beads. This method of treating the disptite gives at
leastp to the adversary, a fair opportun^fefikdèwiff^whja^ is spOn
ken of her, and, of-course, enables hér to answer i t .' The next week
she invites the company, when it becomes her- turn to expose the
character of her antagonist; and this kind of alternate contention is
sometimes carried on. for several weeks, during which> jthey are 0 -
sited by some of the principal inhabitants, as the scene affordseonsi-.
derable entertainment. Sometimes, indeed, these females of colour
will challenge a friend, in a frolick, to arrange such parties against
one another, and a great deal of humour is then displayed, in which
even the visitors are often not spared; but to prevent any disorder
Q