Page:Remarks upon the Situation of Negroes in Jamaica.pdf/56

 humility) how their conditions may with a proportional benefit accruing to the maſter, be greatly meliorated, without any local exertion, or mental ſuffering.

When negroes become maſters of their work as much may be done by ſlight as labour; and a conſtant habitude makes that familiar, which to a looker on would be conſidered as a hardſhip under which both ſpirits and ſtrength muſt ſoon ſuccumb. They generally turn out to work at ſix o’clock in the morning, and continue unremittingly employed until the time of breakfaſt, which is generally between the hours of nine and ten. For this meat they are allowed half an hour, but three quarters or more is the general average. They then continue upon the hoe till dinner time, that is, until twelve or one o’clock; and perhaps the medium of theſe hours is the general time of vacancy all over the Iſland. Although this be called the time of refection, and is with the overſeer and the white people upon the plantation that period of the day which is ſet aſide for this particular purpoſe; yet in this interval the negroes ſeldom make a meal, but are rather inclined to indulge their leiſure in converſation with their fellows,