He condemned severely the course taken in a particular instance by the late Governor, Sir Lionel Smith.

He took it upon himself to go around the island and advise the parents never to bind their children in any kind of apprenticeship to the planters.

He told them that sooner than involve their free children in any way, they ought to "work their own fingers to the stubs." The consequence of this imprudent measure, said our informant, is that the planters have no control over the children born on their estates; and in many instances their parents have sent them away lest their _residence_ on the property should, by some chance, give the planter a claim upon their services.

Under the good old system the young children were placed together under the charge of some superannuated women, who were fit for nothing else, and the mothers went into the field to work; now the nursery is broken up, and the mothers spend half of their time "_in taking care of their brats_." 5.

As to the management of the working people, there need not he any more difficulty now then during slavery.