ns
to forego their reluctance to take them into the Union, that we might
relinquish such rights as we possessed in Canada if the Americans would
relieve us of the West Indies, for which we appeared to care so little.

If Barbadoes is driven into bankruptcy, the estates will have to be
sold, and will probably be broken up as they have been in the Antilles.
The first difficulty will thus be got over. But the change cannot be
carried out in a day. If wages suddenly cease the negroes will starve,
and will not take their starvation patiently. At the worst, however,
means will probably be found to keep the land from falling out of
cultivation. The Barbadians see their condition in the light of their
grievances, and make the worst of it. The continental powers may tire of
the bounty system, or something else may happen to make sugar rise. The
prospect is not a bright one, but what actually happens in this world is
generally the unexpected.

As a visit my stay at Government House was made simply delightful to me.
I remained there (with interruptions) for a fortnight, and Lady L----
did not only permit, but she insisted that I should be as if in an
hotel, and come and go as I liked. The climate of Barbadoes, so far as I
can speak of it, is as sparkling and invigorating as champagne. Cocktail
may be wanted in Trinidad. In Barbadoes the air is all one asks for, and
between night breezes and sea breezes one has plenty of it. Day begins
with daylight, as it ought to do. You have slept without knowing
anything about it. There are no venomous crawling creatures. Cockroaches
are the worst, but they scuttle out of the way so alarmed and ashamed of
themselves if you happen to see them, that I never could bring myself to
hurt one. You spring out of bed as if the process of getting up were
actually pleasant. Well-appointed West Indian houses are generally
provided with a fresh-water swimming bath. Though cold by courtesy the
water seldom falls below 65 deg., and you float luxuriously upon it without
dread of chill. The early coffee follows the bath, and then the stroll
under the big trees, among strange flowers, or in the grotto with the
ferns and humming birds. If it were part of one's regular life, I
suppose that one would want something to do. Sir Charles was the most
active of men, and had been busy in his office for an hour before I had
come down to lounge. But for myself I discovered that it was possible,
at least for an interval, t