Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-07-16
social Life In ararsinique


Mr. N p. Willis, in letter from Martinique
says:
social position Of the blacks and whites on the island
The distinctions Of color are fast giving way ne
French, as we know by our Tndianh history. amaiga-
mate more easily than any other nation with shat
ever race they fall among, and there are families OF
blacks who have the entire freedom OF the best so
ciety of Martinique. There is difference. hoWev-
err in this respect, between the large commercial
and fashionable capital of ST. Pierre. and the small
er town of Fort Royal which is the seat of Govern
ment.
The Official orders are to allow distinctions to
be made and the Governors balls and parties, and
those of the officers and civic functionaries are at
tended as numerously by blacks as by whites. In
St. Pierre, there is still reluctance to admit color
ed persons into society; and the discomfort which
this creates has almost put stop to the gayetIes OF
the town. If an exclusively white party is given.
the blacks of the lower orders collect around the
doors, and make such disturbances efectually to
interrupt the pleasure of the evening. With the
constant dread of instructions, and the memory of
the massacre of whites which occurred a few years
SINCE the infa bitants do not feel safe in defying
these interruptions of their comfort 1t is recent
triumph of the blacks, that the famous and aristo-
cratic convent of this place has cen compelled to
admit colored young ladies, if offered as pupils.
Another triumph has been added to this, in the
shape of result of a matter of some scandal. a
wealthy planter, when dying, year Or more since,
recommended to the special care OF his young wife,
a negro youth, one of his manumtted slaves, who
had been his favorite The black boy, after month
two, found dining at his mistresss table, and
it was at this point of intimacy that her aristncrac
relative interered and made their creates. opposi-
ton and remonstrance. The course of time, howev-
err, brought about serious proofs of intimacy
and then the relatives gave up opposition the mat
ter was compromised. and the planters widow and
her manumitted slave were very recently married
with all the usual forms and ceremonies. The whole
affair is still lively topic of Martinique gossip.
Too Much FOR HUMAN ENDURANcE.-We heard a
pretty good story few days since, about good old
deacon somewhere out in ''York State,'' and was
something after this wise: He of those up
right, dignifed sort of men who make it rule tc
perform their duty, and then make the best of the
matter, however the event may turn out but every
thing his farm kept in the neatest of order
1t had got to be quite late in the season for moving
and still the deacon had fine piece of grass which
he had been unable to cut account of the press
other matters one beautiful day he put large
force and by he had it all down and spread a.
n bout in nice ORDER when there came up shower
) and wet it. After the shower the old gentleman
came out and walked about perfectly COOL and tbt
next day he had it again spread to dry; about moor
' there came another shower; we'll out the dea
again with long face, and the dignifed air be
1 coming one in his station, looked at the hay ane
:: walked into the house.
. The next day being pleasant he had the hay dried
loaded and driven into the barn, into which the,
had got. just another shower had begun to fall
e The deacon congratulated himself that he had final
e ly succeeded in securing the hay, when gust o
+ wind struck the barn. gushing through and complete
sweeping the hay, scattering it to the four quar-
tiers, and tearing the barn doors from their hinges
one of which, hitting the old gentleman prostrate
him in the mud. and fell on top of him. After tn
y door had been removed from him, he surveyed th
>; ruins for few moments, and then exclaimed =
l. Well, think it time for me to express my sent
ments"