They are, in general, very idle and inſolent; the females uſually follow the occupations of paſtry-cooks and huckſters, to the great detriment of more induſtrious poor white people, and will often get credit for articles in their way of buſineſs when the latter cannot; but being in general young perfons of the ſex, they contrive to pay their debts very ſatisfactorily to ſome merchants. There are, however, ſome few of them who are natives of the iſland, who have good coffee plantations, and are very civil and courteous.
The free people of colour are remarkably fond of dreſs and dancing; for the enjoyment of both which they will ſacrifice every thing that is valuable in their poſſeſſion. Dancing is the chief part of their amuſements, their preparations for which are commonly very expenſive; their ladies being uſually dreſſed in ſilks, ſilk ſtockings and ſhoes; buckles, bracelets, and
