eething in the breast of
the new plantocracy, of whom the majority was of the type that then
also flourished in Barbados, Jamaica, and Demerara, were nourished and
kept acute in order to crush the African element. Harm was done,
certainly; but not to the ruinous extent sometimes declared. It was
too late for perfect success, as, according to the Negroes' own phrase,
people of colour had by that time already "passed the lock-jaw"* stage
(at which trifling misadventures [255] might have nipped the germ of
their progress in the bud.) In spite of adverse legislation, and in
spite of the scandalous subservience of certain Governors to the
Colonial Legislatures, the Race can point with thankfulness and pride
to the visible records of their success wherever they have permanently
sojourned.

Primary education of a more general and undiscriminating character,
especially as to race and colour, was secured for the bulk of the West
Indies by voluntary undertakings, and notably through the munificent
provision of Lady Mico, which extended to the whole of the principal
islands.

Thanks to Lord Harris for introducing, and to Sir Arthur Gordon for
extending to the secondary stage, the public education of Trinidad,
there has been since Emancipation, that is, during the last
thirty-seven years, a more effective bringing together in public
schools of various grades, of children of all races and ranks. Rivals
at home, at school and college, in books as well as on the playground,
they have very frequently gone abroad together to learn the professions
they have selected. In this way there is an intercommunion between all
the [256] intelligent sections of the inhabitants, based on a common
training and the subtle sympathies usually generated in enlightened
breasts by intimate personal knowledge. In mixed communities thus
circumstanced, there is no possibility of maintaining distinctions
based on mere colour, as advocated by Mr. Froude.

The following brief summary by the Rev. P. H. Doughlin, Rector of St.
Clement's, Trinidad, a brilliant star among the sons of Ham, embodies
this fact in language which, so far as it goes, is as comprehensive as
it is weighty:--

"Who could, without seeming to insult the intelligence of men, have
predicted on the day of Emancipation that the Negroes then released
from the blight and withering influence of ten generations of cruel
bondage, so weakened and half-destroyed--so denationalized and
demoral