Fridays to the cultivation of their provision grounds, and the
Saturdays to marketing and amusements. On the whole, seeing that the
climate is suited to their constitutions, that they experience none of
the drawbacks to which new settlers, even in the most fertile
countries, are subject, that they are by disposition and temperament a
cheerful race, I much doubt whether any people on the face of the
globe enjoy as large a share of happiness as the Creole peasantry of
this island. And this is a representation not over-charged, or highly
coloured, but drawn in all truth and sobriety of the actual condition
of a population which was, a very few years ago, subjected to the
degrading, depressing influences of slavery. Well may you and others
who took part in the work of emancipation rejoice in the success of
your great experiment.

But was it possible to indulge the same feelings of exultation when
contemplating their condition morally, and marking the indications of
advance towards a higher state of civilisation? In the island itself
controversy was rife as to the degree in which such results had been
already achieved, and the promise of further progress. Some of the more
enthusiastic and ardent of that class of persons who had been the zealous
advocates of the interests of the Negro population at a former period,
were now disposed to judge most hardly of their conduct. Their very
sympathy with the victims of the system formerly prevailing, led them to
conceive unbounded hopes of the benefits, moral and social alike, which a
change would effect; the admirable behaviour of the peasantry at the time
of emancipation, confirmed such anticipations; and they were now beginning
to experience disappointment on finding that all they looked for was not
immediately realised. These feelings, however, Lord Elgin did not share.

On the whole (he said) I feel confident that the moral results
consequent on the introduction of freedom, have been as satisfactory
as could in reason have been expected; and, notwithstanding the very
serious pecuniary loss which this measure has entailed in many
quarters, few indeed, even if they had the power to do so, would
consent to return to the system which has been abandoned. It is
gratifying in the highest degree to observe the feelings now
subsisting between those who lately stood to each other in the
relation of mast