Black Jamaica; A Study in Evolution (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1900. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII. ATTAINMENT IN CHARACTER. (1885-1895-99.) The real progress of a people is not to be gauged by their material prosperity, but by their attainment in character. This is specially the case when they are still lingering on the lower levels of civilization. We have now, therefore, to inquire what changes have been taking place in the moral nature of the negro during the outward stir and movement of the past decade. It has been the period when the pressure of the higher social force has been most widely dominant, and it is necessary first to obtain some idea of the exact nature of this force. Apart from the negroes themselves and the small band of missionaries who labour among them, the inhabitants of the Island may be cast into several divisions. There are the pure Creoles of British origin, including the old British aristocracy, surviving still in reduced numbers; the Creoles styled English, but who are the descendants of Jewish immigrants from Portugal and Spain, and of refugees from royal France; the coloured population; the newer colonists, chiefly from England and Scotland, and present in every sphere; the English officials; and lastly, the colonies of East Indians, Chinese, and others. To all these classes the negroes are more or less repugnant. The planters still cherish their traditional antipathy, and continue to use them as beasts of burden. The alien Creoles constitute a large section of the community, and the Jews are specially numerous and influential. Exempt from all disabilities, they mix freely in the social life of the colony, and control the major portion of the mercantile trade. But they stand aloof from the negro, and have no dealings with him save in the capacity of employers of labour. The prejudice is, perhaps, most keen a...