f his finest Negroes as companions. Melchior
was to go out every day to shoot wild pigeons, coming every morning
to ask how many were needed, so as not to squander powder and shot.
The number ordered were always punctually brought in, besides
sometimes a wild turkey--Pajui--or other fine birds. Alejos, who is
now a cacao proprietor, and owner of a house in Arima, was chosen to
go out every day, except Sundays, with the dogs; and scarcely ever
failed to bring in a lapp or quenco. Aristobal was chosen for the
fishing, and brought in good loads of river fish, some sixteen
pounds weight: and thus the little party of cultivated gentlemen
and ladies were able to live, though in poverty, yet sumptuously.

The Bishop had given Monsignor F--- permission to perform service on
any of his father's estates. So a little chapel was built; the
family and servants attended every Sunday, and many days in the
week; and the country folk from great distances found their way
through the woods to hear Mass in the palm-thatched sanctuary of 'El
Riposo.'

So did that happy family live 'the gentle life' for some two years;
till cacao rose again in price, the tax on the churches was taken
off, and the F---s returned again to the world: but not to
civilisation and Christianity. Those they had carried with them
into the wilderness; and those they brought back with them
unstained.

CHAPTER XIV: THE 'EDUCATION QUESTION' IN TRINIDAD

When I arrived in Trinidad, the little island was somewhat excited
about changes in the system of education, which ended in a
compromise like that at home, though starting from almost the
opposite point.

Among the many good deeds which Lord Harris did for the colony was
the establishment throughout it of secular elementary ward schools,
helped by Government grants, on a system which had, I think, but two
defects. First, that attendance was not compulsory; and next, that
it was too advanced for the state of society in the island.

In an ideal system, secular and religious education ought, I
believe, to be strictly separate, and given, as far as possible, by
different classes of men. The first is the business of scientific
men and their pupils; the second, of the clergy and their pupils:
and the less either invades the domain of the other, the better for
the community. But, like all ideals, it requires not only first-
rate workmen, but first-rate material to work