Before the abolition of slavery, it had been supposed by many of the inhabitants of Antigua, that the negroes, at such an important era of their lives—the transition from slavery to freedom, would be led into great and serious excesses, or, at least, that they would pass the first days of freedom in dance and song, in riotous feastings and drunken carousals. But when the time arrived, far different was the result. Instead of that day being the scene of wild revelry and disorderly jollity, the negroes passed it as a “Sabbath of Sabbaths,” a solemn feast, “One bright day of gladness and of rest.” The churches and chapels throughout the island were thronged to overflowing; and those persons who were unable to procure seats within the sacred walls, crowded around the open doors and windows with eager looks of joy. All the shops and stores in the island were closed— “The roar of trade had ceased, and on the air Came holy songs, and solemn sounds of prayer.” From every valley and dingle and from every height came trooping joyous groups. Old men and women, whose woolly locks were silvered by the hand of time—young men and maidens—the robust and the weak—the parent and the child—all rejoicing that the day had at length come when the iron yoke of slavery was removed from their shoulders, and they, like their masters, could boast that they were free! The 1st of August fell upon a Friday, and after enjoying themselves upon the following day with their friends, and joining in the ordinances of God upon the Sabbath, the greater part of the negroes returned to their agricultural and other employments on the Monday morning with the utmost decorum and good temper. Defective as the negro character may be, their behaviour at that eventful period of their lives must elicit praise from the lips of all, and prove a lasting theme of gratification to the friends of liberty. ------ [38] My readers must clearly understand, that in my remarks upon free labour, I confine myself exclusively to Antigua. In Jamaica, Trinidad, and some of the other islands, great complaints are made upon the working of the free system. Many estates are almost out of cultivation in Jamaica, and serious fears are entertained for the future prosperity of the island. To enter into any disquisition respecting where the fault lies in that colony, comes not within the focus of the present work; but no doubt, if the cause be minutely and candidly inquired into, it will be found that blame is to be attached to _both parties_.