CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Negroes: Their amusements--Natural ear for music--Singing-- Dancing--Subscription routs--Christmas balls--The ball-room decorations--Ball dresses--Gentlemen's appearance--Ladies'-- Politeness--Supper, and the supper-table--The morning after a ball--Cards of invitation--The "good night."
We have now to mention the amusements of the negroes, and their conduct in their hours of recreation. The blacks have a remarkable ear for music, and consequently are particularly fond of singing. Indeed, they can hardly do anything without "forming their voice to melody." The sailors, when heaving an anchor, have a peculiar song which they sing in chorus, pulling the cable at the same time. When moving their houses, (which it is customary to do in this part of the world,[28]) another ditty is requisite; and even if you get them to lift any article which obliges them to use a little exertion, a song must accompany the action. Most of these songs are extempore, and are sung to some favourite tune, the poetry being generally a species of parody, or else a ludicrous composition upon some person who may have attracted their attention, either by a peculiarity in dress or manners; and it is surprising how soon the whole tribe learn it. Some negroes have a clear, sweet, and powerful voice, while others again resemble the screech of a pair of bagpipes, or give the idea of a parrot warbling an Italian air. The black boys are nearly all good whistlers, and some of them will go through, with correctness, many of our best airs, with variations. They are also great psalm-singers, the streets often resounding with this peculiar species of harmony.
Next to singing, their favourite pastime is, to "trip the light fantastic toe," and at this sport they are indefatigable. These dancing parties are differently conducted; at some are danced quadrilles! (I am not aware if the gallopades and Mazurka have found their way into these _coteries_ at present, but as all negroes are great sticklers for fashion, I suppose they have,) at others only country dances and reels are introduced; while the Africans are content with their own native dance, and their music of the _Bangoe_ and _Tum-tum_. Christmas is the principal season for these assemblies, although there are subscription balls held once or twice a week in some of the small houses at the back of the town. These meetings may be very agreeable to the negroes, but they are anything but agreeable to those unfortunates who may chance to inhabit houses in the vicinity. Little or no sleep will visit their eyes upon those nights dedicated to gay Terpsichore, and they may be led to misquote Shakspeare, and say, "_Dancing_ murders sleep." The music generally consists of a squeaking fiddle, a tamborine, (upon which they have a peculiar way of performing,) and a triangle, played without any regard to time or melody. The worst characters frequent these houses, and the refreshments are always levied by contributions upon the public.
Some of the Christmas balls (or as it is the fashion now to term them, "quadrille parties") are, however, conducted upon a very grand scale. The ball-room is decorated with branches of the cocoa-nut, interspersed with the many beautiful flowers which, in these sunny climes, grow in such wild profusion, while boughs of the Pimento (or "Christmas bush," as it is generally called in this country) and the orange tree, loaded with its tempting fruit, impart a pleasing fragrance throughout the apartment. Around the walls, brackets of deal are nailed to support the innumerable tapers which serve to light up this "temple of mirth," and throw a radiance upon the countenances of the ebon beaux and belles. The orchestra generally occupies one end of the apartment; and the company is arranged, in two lines, the ladies upon one side, and the gentlemen upon the other. The glittering throng at "Almacks" cannot outvie in dress with the _glittering throng_ at an Antiguan negro ball. Fashion exerts her power, and seldom finds more devoted votaries than among these dark damsels and their loving swains.
The dress of the gentlemen consists of a blue, brown, or purple coat, (not _quite_ equal in make to one of Stultz,) with velvet collar, and shining brass buttons; pantaloons, which would rival in whiteness the snows of great St. Bernard; a many coloured vest, a very smart cravat, silk stockings, and well-polished pumps or fancy boots, with tassels, &c., in the most approved fashion. In the folds of the cravat are deposited one or two brooches, (not quite equalling in splendour and dimensions the celebrated "brooch of Lorn," but no doubt thought by the wearers to be very tasteful;) a glittering brass chain, which after performing countless figures and evolutions around the neck, is deposited with its accompanying quizzing-glass (set in the same _precious_ metal) in the waistcoat pocket; sundry brass rings upon the fingers; a box to contain that fashionable dust, called by mortals--snuff, ornamented with a _correct_ likeness of "Her Majesty Queen Victoria," or "Prince Albert," with cheeks of the colour of red ochre, and eyes "like two full moons;" these, together with a voluminous silk handkerchief, plentifully besprinkled with _new rum_, sold under the approved name of "_Eau de Cologne_," and then the costume is complete.
Smart as these beaux are, the fair sex make a much greater display. Their favourite colours are pink, blue, and bright yellow, and of these their dresses are generally composed; but the manner in which these several shades are arranged defies all description. For example--a dress of white gauze or net, over a yellow slip, is profusely decorated with quillings of blue ribbon, interspersed with red flowers; or perhaps a blue dress is ornamented with green trimmings. Of course these dresses are made in the height of the fashion, very long skirts with flounces, and tight sleeves, with lace ruffles, and streamers of varied tints, while the long kid or lace gloves, are drawn up the arm to the exact point at which such articles are worn. Among the bijouterie displayed upon these _gala_ nights, may be distinguished a diversity of brass bracelets, two or three encircling the same arm; numberless rings, in which the "lively diamond," the ruby's "deepening glow," the sapphire's "solid ether," the "purple amethyst," the yellow topaz, and the green emerald, are wonderfully imitated in coloured _glass_; these _choice gems_ are liberally bestowed upon every finger, and I am not quite sure that the _thumb_ is exempted. Splendid brass chains also encircle their (not) _swan-like_ necks, long pendants gleam from their ears, and very pink silk stockings, with red, blue, or yellow shoes, are called in, to astonish with their brilliancy of hue, the eyes of their attendant youths. But notwithstanding all this finery, it is upon the adornment of their heads that these ladies lavish the most time and pains. This may surprise some, when they consider how devoid the negroes are of that great natural ornament which Rowland, by the aid of his incomparable "Macassar," so kindly and bountifully offers to dispense; but still it is no less true, for what Dame Nature denies, art bestows in the shape of a false set of curls, or a complete _toupée_. These ringlets are cleverly fastened on by bands of different coloured cotton-velvet, and the back of the head is covered with wreaths of flowers and bunches of ribbons. Those whose natural hair is long enough, wear it in what they term "French curls;" but they never fail to have a sufficient quantity of flowers intermixed with them.
The gentlemen are particularly polite to the ladies, attending to their little wants with the greatest assiduity, and watching their every movement, to anticipate, if possible, their wishes. The ladies are also quite graceful in their manners, and forget not to practise those pretty little airs of affectation which some of their white sisters so ably perform.
When the tuning of instruments is over, and the musicians, by stamping their feet and drawing up their persons to their full height, give notice that they are ready, and have full confidence in their own powers of drawing from wood and catgut "a concord of sweet sounds," the ball commences. A gentleman advances with smirk and bow--"Oh, Miss, will you dance wid me?" "I'se must be excuse, Mr. Charles Edward, 'cause I'se got to dance wid Mr. Albert" "Oh, Miss, den me be too late." Another lady is therefore sought and won--"Wid much pleasure, Mr. Charles Edward." At the end of the set, refreshments are handed about, and again the gentlemen vie with each other in shewing forth their gallantry-- "Miss, will you hab a glass of drink?" "I'se feel much obliged to you, sir, if you please." The "drink" is composed of ginger, water, molasses, and "Christmas bush," drank in a fermented state.
While the dancing is going on in one room, another apartment, (or, if the house contains not such a desideratum,) a neighbouring domicile is being prepared for the supper. Here, again, their taste is shewn in the arrangement of the flowers &c. with which the table is decorated, and in the disposal of the many viands which are prepared for the occasion. They generally employ a gentleman's servant to superintend, so that this is often performed in the first style. Among the multitudinous supply of eatables may be found baked mutton, legs of pork, turkeys, ducks, fowls, and guinea-birds; hams, tongues, salt-beef, and cheese; cakes, tarts, and fruits, flanked by no inconsiderable quantities of yams, sweet potatoes, _Irish_ potatoes, (as the Creoles always term them, whether they come from England, Ireland, Scotland, France, or America,) boiled rice, and bread. Nor must it be supposed these _solids_ want the accompaniment of liquids--rum, brandy, wines, and brown stout, are as liberally provided, and as liberally partaken of.
Perhaps it may be asked, how do the negroes obtain these different articles specified,--where find the _cash_ to meet these heavy demands? In the first place, it must be taken into consideration, that nearly all the negroes who reside in the country, upon the different estates, keep a great deal of stock; they have their patch of ground, in which they raise vegetables; and living as they do nearly all the rest of the year upon less expensive dishes, they have money enough by them to procure the above luxuries. Then again, it must be remarked, that it is not _one_ family which gives these routs, but almost in every instance it is a joint concern. The company pay a proportion, by the gentlemen procuring tickets to admit themselves and ladies for half-a-dollar, about 2s. 3d. sterling, which of itself affords sufficient means to provide all those sumptuous viands and costly liquids with which they regale themselves when fatigued with dancing. The competition for opening the ball is generally very great, and from one to five dollars is demanded for that honour; but such has been the contest at times that a doubloon, or 3l. 4s. sterling, has been offered for obtaining the enviable post; and this of course further adds to their resources.
When these grand balls are held in the country, the servants feel no reluctance in riding their masters' horses to and from the place of entertainment; and consequently it is nothing uncommon for great complaints to be made the next morning by different gentlemen, when they visit their stables. "Why, Thomas, what's the matter with this horse? how jaded he looks," says the gent, addressing his groom; "I hope it's not ill!" "Me no no, massa; me quite sick meself, dat de trute," replies one of the _beaux_ of the preceding night. "And this one," continues his master, "his legs are quite swollen, and he's all over mud; I hope you have not been riding them last night, sirrah! I know you are full of tricks!" "Eh, eh! massa, me no say, me quite sick; war for me go ride de poor dumb brute for, dat's all?"
While this dialogue passes in the stable between the injured master and his faulty groom, respecting the state of "de poor dumb brute," who, had he the power of speech, could, like Hamlet's ghost, "a tale unfold," a similar conversation takes place in the house between the mistress and her confidential(!) domestic. "Celestina, what is the matter with you this morning? you don't seem to know what you are doing,--are you ill?" "No, ma'am." "Then what do you look so heavy and dull about?" "Me no able to sleep last night, missis," is the answer of the fatigued belle.
When the family meet around the breakfast table, "My dear," says the lady, addressing her _cara sposa_, "do you know where John (the butler) is gone?" "No, my dear," returns her better half, sipping his mocha; "is he not in the house?" "No; he has not been seen since last night." "Very strange," rejoins the gentleman. "I must make inquiries about it as soon as I have looked over the 'Weekly Register;' the fellow gets too bad." At this moment the door opens, and John enters, his head tied up in a handkerchief and a quantity of plantain leaves;[29] his countenance, deprived of its naturally deep black, displays a sickly-looking hue; his heavy blood-shot eyes, turning from one member of the family to the other, as if to inquire what they had been saying about him, and presenting altogether a most rueful appearance. "Why, John," cries his master, elevating his eyebrows, and wiping his spectacles, to be certain it is really the lost butler,--"Why, John, where have you been, and what have you been doing with yourself?" "Quite sick, massa," returns poor John, in a very doleful tone; "hab feber all last night, neber sleep 'tall a 'tall; head really hurt me; 'bleive me go get _hager_," &c. The real fact of the case, John was one of the party the night before, who had paid their devoirs too zealously to the "rosy god," "jolly Bacchus," and the consequence was, headache and all its accompanying et-ceteras, without the benefit of "soda water" or "Morison's pills of health."
When these "grand balls" are in contemplation, great is the flurry and fluster of the conductors; cards of invitation are issued about eight or ten days before; glasses, lamps, dishes, &c., are borrowed from managers or overseers upon the estate where the rout is given, or if in town, from any "buckra" who they may live with; flowers are begged, or gardens robbed; and many other necessary deeds achieved. I have several of these "cards of invite" lying before me, and for the edification of my readers, I will transcribe one or two of them _verbatim_:--"Mr. James Hammilton Compliments to Mr. James, and invite him to a Quadrille party on Tuesday next week, with lady;" addressed, "Mr. James Hammilton to Mr. James, Spring Gardens." This is written upon paper, which had once been white, but, alas! too many touches have tarnished its fair character. The next which comes to hand is traced upon that particular kind of green paper which we commonly see wrapped round quills in the stationers' shop windows, in far-famed London, and is expressed as follows:--"Mr. James will be happy of Mr. Brown and Lady Company on Saturday the 2nd Quarter of the Moon. Price 4s. 6d. Lower Form."[30] The direction to this last-named note is, I think, very unique--
"Mr. Brown, "Town!"
meaning, of course, that the gentleman resided in St. John's, the capital of Antigua.
Having given two specimens of their written invitations, perhaps some of my readers may call out, "Enough!" but there is still one before me, which looks so very dashing that I cannot pass it by with any propriety. It is written upon a _red_ card, (placed in a _blue_ envelope,) in the following manner:--
"Mr. Edward and Sam will happy of Mr. Hues Company on the 25th instant, &c. Quadrilles in Bishopsgate Street.
"G. Priddeys, "G. Silises. Stewards.
(Direction) "Mr. Hues, Esq."
The ball generally breaks up between four and five, and then there is great cloaking-up with the ladies, the gentlemen lending all the assistance. "'Tanky, Mr. _Theopolus_, you're bery kind, I'se sure." "Miss, anything dat _lays_ in my power for a lady like you." "Oh, sir! you're very purlite." "Miss Eleanora, does dis shawl 'blongs to you?" "I'se 'bleive it do, Mr. Frederick." "Well, I do declare, I thought so, 'cause it's handsome, like its owner," &c. &c. The _Good nights_ are then repeated, and the ladies move off, accompanied by their _beaux_, and the late gay ball-room is left to the smell of expiring tallow-candles, and lamp-oil; drooping flowers, and broken bottles; sleeping musicians, and half-starved dogs, who creep in with the hopes of picking up a stray bone or two; until the bright sun arises, and bids the inmates bestir themselves to clear away the relics of their midnight orgies.
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[28] For mode of moving houses, see page 132.
[29] A negro's specific for the head-ache.
[30] I am not quite certain what is meant by this expression; but suppose it relates to the arrangement of the forms, or benches.