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fellows, or to loiter away the time in uſeleſs inactivity untill the ſhell[1] prepares them for a renovation of toil. They are allowed for a nominal dinner one hour and a half, but it generally arrives at, or exceeds two, before they all aſſemble; and if the ſpot upon which their labour be called, be at any diſtance from their houſes, the time is proportionally elonged. They ſeldom continue in the field, out of crop, after ſun-ſet, which is never later than ſeven, ſo that from this hour until ſix the enſuing morning they may call their time their own; a part of which they conſume in broken ſleep, the reſt in ſupper and a preparation for breakfaſt at the matin ſummons; ſo that the negroes can abſolutely command between thirteen and fourteen hours a day, out of crop, beſides the accidental vacancies during the rainy ſeaſons, without mental care or bodily exertion; and where is the labourer in England who can reſign himſelf to reſt, and be ſoothed by theſe reflections.
- ↑ Upon ſome eſtates the negroes are ſummoned to work, or to a relaxation from toil, by the blowing of a ſhell, and upon ſome by the ringing of a bell.
