During slavery each colony had its Hodge, and some had more than one. The most conspicuous character of this kind in St. Lucia was _Jacques O'Neill de Tyrone_, a gentleman who belonged to an Irish family, originally settled in Martinique, and who boasted of his descent from one of the ancient kings of Ireland. This man had long been notorious for his cruelty to his slaves. At last, on the surrender of the colony to the British in 1803, the attention of the authorities was awakened; a charge of murder was brought against him, and he was sentenced to death. From this sentence he appealed to a higher court; but such was the state of public feeling at the bare idea of putting a white man to death for any offence against a slave, that for a long time the members of the court could not be induced to meet; and when they did meet, it was only to reverse the sentence of the court below. I have now before me the proceedings of both courts. {504} The sentence of the inferior court, presided over by an European judge, is based upon the clearest evidence of O'Neill's having caused two of his slaves to be murdered in his presence, and their heads cut off and stuck upon poles as a warning to the others. The sentence of the Court of Appeal, presided over by a brother planter, and entirely composed of planters, reverses the sentence, without assigning any reason for its decision, beyond the mere allegations of the accused party. Such was criminal justice in the days of slavery! HENRY H. BREEN. St. Lucia. * * * * * LONGEVITY. (Vol. vii., p. 358., &c.) On looking over some volumes of the _Annual Register_, from its commencement in 1758, I find instances of longevity very common, if we can credit its reports. In vol. iv., for the year 1761, amongst the deaths, of which there are many between 100 and 110, the following occur: January. "At Philadelphia, Mr. Charles Cottrell, aged 120 years; and three days after, his wife, aged 115. This couple lived together in the marriage state 98 years in great union and harmony." April. "Mrs. Gillam, of Aldersgate Street, aged 113." July. "John Newell, Esq., at Michael(s)town, Ireland, aged 127, grandson to old Parr, who died at the age of 152." August. "James Carlewhite, of Seatown, in Scotland, aged 111. "John Lyon, of Bandon, in the county of Cork, Ireland, aged 116." In September there are three aged 106; one 107; one 111; one 112; and one 114 registered. I will take three from the year 1768, viz.: January. "Died lately in the Isle of Sky, in Scotland, Mr. Donald M^cGregor, a farmer there, in the 117th year of his age. "Last week, died at Burythorpe, near Malton in Yorkshire, Francis Confit, aged 150 years: he was maintained by the parish above sixty years, and retained his senses to the very last." April. "Near Ennis, Joan M^cDonough, aged 138 years."