Page:Remarks upon the Situation of Negroes in Jamaica.pdf/76

 leaſt twice a day. I do not think them a greedy people, they have no appearance of haſte in eating, will chearfully let others enjoy their meſs, and are fond of extending, particularly at night, the hours of refection. The women in general drink nothing but water, or ſugar and water as a treat—the men will almoſt all indiſcriminately ſwallow drams when they can get them, and even indulge in ſpirit to intoxication; but yet it is not often that riots enſue, and if they do happen, they are eaſily quelled. They ſeem ſenſible, if it be ſudden, of a ſmall indulgence, and I think they de not abuſe great ones if caution be uſed in the time of conceſſion. I have known a little grog, ſugar and water, an unexpected herring, or a piece of ſalt fiſh give them ſpirits for the remainder of the day, and an afternoon allowed almoſt tranſport them. They are particularly fond of tobacco, and as it chears them in their labour, and is not attended with bad conſequences, a preſent of a little every now and then when they deſerve it, would be but a trifling expence to an eſtate. They ought not to be refuſed the participation