New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-06
THE GOVERNOR,S LADY"
Maria Nugent's Life in Jamaica a
Hundred Years Ago.

LADY NUGENTs JOURNAL Jamaica One Hun
dred Years Ago. Edited by Frank CundaH
F. S. A l2mo, PIP. 49i.
The writer Of this journal-the first rare edi-
ton of which was issued in 1889 for private cir
cuIation only-was an American girl. the daugh-
ter OF Courtlandt Skinner, of New Jersey. Skin
ner was a loyalst who raised and commanded a
Tory brigade during the Revolution When
peace came he took all his family except one son
10 England, was compensated there for the
property he had forfeited in America, and re-
ceived for the rest OF his life the half pay Of a
hrigadier general Maria, his fifth daughter. in
1897 married George Nugent, a distinguished
British soldier and member Of Parliament.
-Four years after their marriage Nugent
appointed Lieutenant Governor and commander
in chief Of jamaica and It Is with the five years
of their life IN the island that this entertaining
book IS concerned. Lady Nugent's Journal" is
in a sense n MISSIONER, for It was not until after
the Governors return 10 England that ne was
created a barcnet. The Governors lady IL we
may believe the testimony of her portrait. was
pretty little parsonage, with flashing black eyes
and clustering curls OF silky black hair. Her
journal shows that she eminently sensi-
bic young woman, practical, kind hearted, con-
scientious. very much in love with her husband.
and eager 10 be a wise helpmate to him in his
work. Il was vexatious work as that Of a
and Nugent had many wearing and respondent
hours. Throughout the fve years It is evident
that his Maria was an efficient social assistant
well as a sweet and fascinating spouse.
Their arrival at the island which then in
fun prosperity as a sugar producing region was
greeted with many ceremonies and much enthu-
siasm. In spite Of the presence OF multitude
of black servants they found their official resi-
dence aboninably dirty;-and alas. that the same
might be said Of the retiring Governor, Lord
Balcarres! 8iaria's FIRST breakfast suffered from
this fact. II wish Lord 3. would wash his
hands and use nail brush" she notes mourn
fully, in the early pages OF her Journal. for the
black edges OF his nails really make me sick.
He has. besides. extraordinary propensity 70
dip his fingers into every dish. Yesterday he
absolutely helped himself 10 some fricassee with
his dirty finger and thumb" Various tastes OF
this queer British nobleman Of former time
harnonized with his personal habits. II must
not omit TO mention here" says Maria, IAN ex-
traoTdinary pet OF Lord BIS which makes its
appearance every day in the dining room. II is
a little black pig that goes grunting about to
every one for a tit-bit" The dirt that sur
rounded her sadly worried the neat American
until she brought her troop OF poor blackies''
into methodcal ways. The condition of the
negroes seemed 10 her heathenish and she gave
much OF her time TO the religious and secular
instruction OF those who were Immediately under
her rule. She had no Illusions as to slavery,
feeling that It was bad both for black and white;
and she shared the underlying fear of insurrec-
ton which more or less tormented many OF
the white inhabitants Neither did she long pre-
serve many Illusions as to the manners and
morals OF those inhabitants:
In this country # appears as If everything we're
bought ana sold. Glergymen make no secret OF
making traffic OF their Iivings: but General n
has refused many applications Tor the purpose.
reformation OF the church, and thus rendering it
respectable. II Is indeed melancholy to see the
throughout the whole island Every one seems So
lcitous TO make money and no one appears 70 re-
10 witness the Immediate effect that the climate
and habit OF living IN this country have upon the
minds and manners Of Europeans particularly Of
The lower orders. In the upper ranks they become
'ndolent and Inactive regardless of everything but
eating, drinking and INDUCING themselves ana are
amost entirely under me e nr % thew e are 1b
same. with the addition Of conceit and tyranny;
10 administer 70 their ease, and TO be subject 20
their caprice; and have found much difficulty
our white domestics, that the blacks are human
beings or have souls.
This feeling about the 'blaclIies' extended to
the men Of the regiments in garrison and
Maria records her amusement at seeing militia
soldier on the parade ground with black boy
carving
geants with each an attendant carrying his
halberd. etc.
The hot weather was at times almost unen-
durable, but entertainments never ceased, and
the Nugents had. perfOrce. TO make many I'M
comfortable official tours round the island
Wherever they went feasts OF Brobdingagian
size awaited them. Five meals day of heavy
meats were apparently the rule. such eating
and drinking I never saw!" writes Mrs. Nugent
''such loads OF all sorts OF high. rich and sea-
soned things, and really gallons OF wine and
mixed LIQUORS as they drink! I observed some
OF the party to-day, eat OF late breakfasts. IL
they had never eaten before-a dish OF tea, an
other OF coffee. a bumper Of claret. another
largo one OF hook negus; then Madeira. sangaree.
hot and cold meats. stews and fries. hot and
cold FISH picked and plain. peppers. ginger
sweetmeats acid fruit, sweet jellies-in short. It
was an as astonishing It was disgusting"
one dinner was profuse that the revolted
diarist sets Il down as worth describing.
The frs, course was entirely OF fsh, excepting
serSed hog IN the centre which is the way OF
dressing Ii 81 Ills Maroons- There vas also a