USA > Virginia > Historical collections of Virginia : containing a collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c. relating to its history and antiquities ; together with geographical and statistical descriptions ; to which is appended, an historical and descriptive sketch of the District of Columbia. > Part 24
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" 5: " The liberty usually allowed him, his holidays and amusements, the manner in which they asurly pass their evenings and holidays.' Uader these heads may be class- ed various privileges enjoyed by the glise. When he is not at work he is under no restriction or surveillance. He goes where he pleases, seldom taking the trouble to ask for a pass ; and if he is on the farm at the appointed houts, no inquiry is made how he has employed the interval. The regular holidays are two at Easter, two at Whitsuntide,
1
150
MISCELLANIES."
and a week at Christmas. These he enjoys by prescription ; and others, such as Saturday evenings, by the indulgence of his master. He passes them in any way he pleases. Generally, they are spent in visiting from house to house, and in various amusements. His favorite one, if he can raise a violin, is dancing. But this, unfor- tunately, is going out of fashion, both with whites and blacks, and no good substitute has been found for it. 'They, however, assemble at their cabins to laugh, chat, sing, and tell stories, with all imaginable glee. No present care seems to annov, no antic !- nated sorrow to deject them, but they surrender themselves fully and entirely to the en- joyment of the passing moments. They know that, under all circumstances, their masters must provide for them. Of course they have no anxiety about their families, or the failure of crops, or the course of the seasons, or the horrors of debt, or any other of the many circumstances which embitter the life of the freeman, and render sad or thoughtful the gayest disposition.
" Other of the graves, who are more provident. employ a portion of their holidays and evenings in working for themselves. Each head of a fim ly, or married min or wothan, has a cabin allotted for his or her accommodation. These cabins are usually made of logs, chinked and plastered, with plank or dirt floors. Some proprietors build thei of brick or stone, or framed wood, but I do not believe the slaves generally preter them. They like the large, open fireplace of the cabin, where a dozen or more can sit round the blazing hearth, filled with as much wood as would supply a patent stove for ten days. Stoves they abominate, and small Ruinfordized fireplaces. Near their cabins they have ground allotted for their garden and patch of corn. In their gardens they have every vegetable they choose to cultivate, besides raising pumpkins, broom-corn, dec. in their mestery' com-fields. Most of them are permitted to raise a hog, to dispose of as they please; and these boys are invariably the largest and fattest on the farm. They also raise fowis of every description, and sell them for the most part to their owners, at a fair price. Their allowance of food is never diminished on these accounts. Their hog. their fowls, their vegetables, their brooms, and baskets, and flag-chairs, and many other articles, they are allowed to sell, for the purpose of michoding Sunny clothes and thecry, to slags af al medula, and other public Olva- sions, In this way, those who are at all industrions, are enabled to appear as well dressed as any peas- antry in the world.
"6. 'The provision made for their food and clothing, for those who are too young or too old to labor. The slaves always prefer Indian corn-meal to four. Of this, the old and young, in this part of Virginia, are allowed just as much as they can eat or destroy. They have. besides, a certain quantity of bacon given out every week, amounting to about half a pound a day for each laborer or grown person. When they have iret or fish, the allowance of bacon is less ; but, as it is the food they love best. they have always a portion of it. Besides this. they have milk and vegetables on most fartus in abundance, with - out touching their own stores. The old and infirm fare like the rest, unless their situation re- quires coffee, sugar, &c., which are always provided. The young slaves have also their meats, but less in quantity, and they depend more upon bread, milk, and vegetables. To look at them, you would see at once they are well fed. On small forms the slaves fare better than on large ones, there being litde dif- ference in the food of the whites and blacks, except in articles of mere luxury. But, on the largest, their neunl allowance is that which I have mentioned. They have three meals a day, and it is rate to lee them eating what they call dry bread at any one.
" Their allowance of clothing is quite uniform ; and consists of a hat, a blanket, two suits of clothes, three shirts or shifts, and two pair of shoes, a year. The winter suit is of strong linsey cloth ; the suin- mer, of linen for the men, and striped cotton for the women. The men's cloth is dressed and fulled. The children have linsey and cotton garments, but no shoes or hat, until they are ten or eleven years old, and begin to do something. Their beds are sometimes of feather, generally of straw, and are well furnished ; some prefer to lie like the Indians, on their blankets.
"Comparing their situation with respect to food and clothing with our own white laborers, I would say that it is generally preferable. In each case, much depends on the industry and management of the party ; but there is this difference, that the slave, however lazy or improvident, is furnished with food and clothing at regular periods, which the white man of the same binperameat is unable to procure. When the white man, too, is so old and infirm that he can no longer labor, his situation is truly depto- rable, if he has laid up nothing for support. Bt the old and infirm'slave is still supported by his master, with the same care and attention as before. He cannot even set him free without providing for his maintenance, for our law makes his estate liable.
"7. 'Their treatment when sick.' Being considered as valuable property, it might naturally be con- cluded that they would be properly attended to when sick. But better feelings than any connected with their value as property, prompt the white family to pay every attention to the sick slave. If it is deemed at all necessary, a physician is immediately called in. On large farms he is frequently employed by the year ; but, if not, he is sent for whenever there is occasion for his services. If the slave is a bireling, our law compels the owner, not the hirer, to pay the physician's fees, so that the latter has every motive of interest to send for a physician, without being liable for the expense. Where there are many slaves together. the proprietor sometimes erects an hospital, provided with nurses and the usual accommoda- tions. In all cases emming under my observation, whatever is necessary for the comfort of the sick is furnished, as far as the master has means. They are frequently visited by the white family, and what- ever they wish to have is supplied. Sach indulgence, and even teodorness, is extended to them on these occasions, that it sometimes induces the lazy to trien sickness: but I have never known them, in these suspected cases, to be harried to their work until their deception became manifest; or the report of the physician justified it. It is my decided conviction, that the poor laborers of no country under heaven are better taken care of than the sick slaves in Virginia. There may be, and no doubt are, exceptions to many of these observations ; but I speak of their general treatment as I have known it, or heard it reported.
"8. Their rewards and punishments' Of rewards, properly speaking. the slaves have few-of in- dulgences they have many ; but they are not eosployed as rewards, for all nsubtly partake in them with- out discrimination. The system of rewards has not, to my knowledge, been fairly tried. Sometimes slaves who have conducted themselves well, or labored diligently, are allowed more time than others in attend to the ir own affairs, or permitted to trade on their own account. paying some sarl sum; and they are treated, of course, with greater respect and confidence than the idle and worthless. But I know of
160
MISCELLANIES.
no instance in which specific rewards have been offered for specific acts of good conduct. In this respect they are treated minch like soldiers and sailors.
" As to their punishments, they are rare, and seldom disproportioned to the offence. Our laws are mild, and make little discrimination between slaves and free whites. except in a few political offences. The punishments inflicted by the master partake of the same character. The moral sense of the con- munity would not tolerate cruelty in a master. I know of nothing that would bring him more surely into disgrace. On a fan where there may be one hundred slaves, there will not, perhaps, be one pun ished on account of his work during the year, although it is often done in a careless, slovenly manner, and not half as much as a white laborer would do. For insolent and unruly conduct to their overseers, for quarrelling and fighting with each other, for theft and other offences, which would send the white man to the whipping-post or penitentiary, they are punished more frequently, but always with andlera- tion, Very often they e-cape altogether, when the white man would certainly be punished. I have lived in different parts of Virginia for more than 30 years, since my attention has been directed to sach sub- jects ; and I do not recollect half a dozen instances in which I ever saw a grown slave stripped and whipped. Such a spectacle is almost as rare as to see a similar punishment inflicted on a white man. When it is considered that, except for the highest grade of crimes, the punishment of the slave is left pretty much (practically) to his master's discretion, I am persuaded it will be found that they are in this respect in no worse condition than laborers elsewhere. No other punishment is inflicted except stripes or blows. They are not imprisoned, or placed upon short allowance, or condemned to any cruel or un- usual punishments from which white per ons are exempted.
"The worst feature in our society, and the most revolting, is the purchase and sale of slaves; and it is this which renders then situations precarious and uncomfortdde, and occasions them more uneasiness than all other causes combined. On this subject I will submit a few observations before I close this let- ter. So far as the traffic is confined to the neighborhood, it is of little consequence, and is often done for the accommodation of the slave. It breaks no ties of kindred, and occasions only a momentary pang, by transferring the slave from the master who, perhaps, is no longer able to keep him, to one as good, who is able, or who purchases because he owns his wife or child, &c. It is the sale to negro-buyers by profession, which is in general so odious to the slave, although there are instances in which these artful men prevail with them to apply to their owners to be sold. Such sales, except in the rare instance just alluded to, are never voluntarily made of slaves whose conduct and character are good. Masters will not part with their slaves bat front sheer necessity, or for flagrant delinquencies, which in cther countricz would be punished by deportation at least. Thousands retain them when they know full well that their pecuniary condition would be greatly improved by selling, or even giving them away. It is the last pro- perty the master can be induced to part with. Nothing but the dread of a jail will prevail with him. Negro-traders. although there are many among us, are universally despised by the master, and detested by the body of the slaves. Their trade is supported by the misfortunes of the master, and the crimes or misconduct of the slave, and not by the will of either party, except in a few instances. Sometimes the slave, after committing a theft or other crime, will abscond, for fear of detection ; or will be enticed away from his master's service by holding out to him frise hopes : and perhaps the negro-buyer himese's is the decoy. If caught, he is generally sold, for the sake of the example to other slaves. From the sources the negro-buyers are supplied ; but it does not happen, in one case out of a thousand, that the master willingly sells an honest, faithful slave. The man doing so would be looked upon as a sordid, inbuman wretch ; and be shunned by his neighbors and countrymen of respectable standing,
" I believe, if any plan could be fallen upon to remove our slaves to a place where they would be willing to go, and where their condition would be probably improved, that many, very many masters would be ready to manumit them. An opinion is entertained by increasing numbers, that slave labor is too expensive to be continued in a grain-growing state, if its place can be supplied by freemen. In other words, that the free laborer would cost less, and work harder, than the slave. But the slaves themselves are unwilling to go to Liberia, and very few would accept their freedom on that condition. Some, already emancipated, remain in the state, incurring the constant risk of being sold as slaves. To send them to any part of our own country without worldly knowledge or capitd, is deemed by most masters false humanity ; and to retain them here in the condition of free negroes is impossible.
"Until some plan can be suggested to remove these difficulties, under the guidance and direction of the constituted authorities, we are averse to all agitation of the subject. We know it will be attended with danger to one class, and will increase the burdens and privations of the other. Hence our indigna- tion at the movements of the Northern abolitionists, who are meddling with a subject they know nothing about. Let them come among us, and see the actual condition of the slaves, as well as of the whites, and I am persuaded that all whose intentions are really good, would, on their return, advise their de- luded co-operators to desist from agitation."
STATISTICS AND CENSUS OF THE COUNTIES OF VIRGINIA,
THE subjoined statistical table of the various counties of Virginia, is from the U. S. statistics and census of 1840. It presents a view of the relative agricultural, manu- facturing, and mercantile wealth of the various counties.
Explanation of the Table .~ The columns of neat cattle, sheep, and swine, show the number of thersands of these animals. The columns of wheat, rye, Indian corn, oats, and potatoes, give the number of thousand bushels annually produced. The columns of tobacco and cotton, give the number of thousand pounds produced. The columns of capital in stores, and in manufactures, give the number of thousand dollars thus invested. The column of scholars in schools and academies, as well as those of the slaves and population, are carried out in full,
It will be observed there are some blanks. These are left so, either from the fact that there are no statistics of sufficient amount for record, or that the marshals employed to take them, made no returns to the general government.
161
MISCELLANIES.
Nent cattle.
SLecp.
Awinc.
Wheat.
R.ye.
Indian cor !.
Onts.
Potatoes.
Tobacco.
Cotton.
Capital in
Cap. in ma-
muttertories.
Scholars in
Schools.
Slaves.
Population.
Accomac .
14 10 27. 14
613 453 113:
125
73: 751. 4,030 11.096;
Albemarle
15 21 35 327 117 7 12 216: 29 2409,
302 961, 786 13,800 32.9211
Alleghans
3. 4 5: 25
9 71 59
517' 9.749
Amelia
@ > 13 51
1215 196 58 1871:
€
42: 21, 206, 7,023 10.320
Amherst
$ 6 17 113
11 3-1 145.
2106
78 112: 674 5.577 12.5761
Angusta
1 20 34:324, 92 384:245; 48
117 3:21
40, 196
217 4,200,
Bedford
16 15 31:206:
7 537
1 22:31-19
70!
11:
197 8.864 20,203
Berkley
9 13 25 287
38 391 136
350' 7271
1.919 10.972
Botetourt
9 13 21 197
22 299 185;
708
123 152
23 21
064; 2,515!
Brooke
5 31.11|140
5 135 144 63
Brunswick
11 6 19 27
1399 116
¡2141; 13
831 56
23| 252: 8,805 14.346|
Buckingham
12 15 22:169:
1 439 227 21 2453: 11
191
226:
656,10,014,18,786|
Cabell
9 10.20, 39
₹ 379 96: 17:
6
1 1690: 39 -: 585: 1,045 21,030;
Caroline
10: 9.19: 81|
13 576 120: 19
774'
20:
16;
11; 140, 2,433 4,774
Charlotte .
10 15 22 65
1509 247| 15,4181:
19:
134.
14: 585 9,260 14,595
Chesterbeidi Clarke
6: 8 15,258.
17 267. 91. 20.
65 251 2,325 6,353
Culpaper
·11 15 20'122: 14 390 128. 21
29
126;
1 769: 6,663 11,393
Cumberland
6 10 10: 61!
247 122,
2896 23: 163, 107: 263
6,781 10,399
Dinwiddie
10; 8 20| 37
284 137, 18 2219. 71 1921/ 781 894 9,947 22,558; 80 11 ! - -16: 23| 274 1,708: 3.706
Essex
1 7,13
419, 40
15
13: 110
53. 378: 6.756 11.309 265 3,453 9,3701
Fairfax
13: 6 10 27
6.158: 6 ?! 13: 23 77
20!
18!
11: 3-1;
126'1521.10,708 21.897 97: 4181 4,146 8,812
Franklio
4.430 184. 18 2505:
3 119
74: 367
15,832
Frederick
7.13 13 173: 31 300 135' 37
237 20
30
133' 3.924:
Giles
7.10 13 45 35 163 69
17
13
3-4
33 2:23
574 5,307
Gloucester
8 5 14: 56; 307 62
13:
8:
87 80 40 91
281 314! 2! 139: 5. 252
5,791 10,715 5,500: 9,700 492 9,057
Greenbrier
11 19 12:
69 13 207 198 32
112
24, 372 69 231 97. 200
1,214: 8,695
Greensville
5: 4:161 9: 230 93
316 5734
39
171 209; 809 14,216 25.936|
Hanover
10. 9:14: 48 18 350 177,
615
23
20. 13.
36: 417 8,394 11,96>
Hardy .
24 15 13 87; 1> 111 41 32; 121 226. 62| 5. 3 33:136 5 2 12: 39 3:24> 138 12:
23
99
131'
436 693 17,699
Henrico
6: 5 16 40,
1206 74 12:1623
3. 33.
14 46 2.852: 7,335
Isle of Wight
1 23: 4
201 29 (11: 40
31
67: 36 397: 3,786 9,972;
Jackson
5 3.11: 2- 3 1: 5: 17
1 =6 35;
3
6 21 320
129 1.943: 3,219 3:1 797 4,137 11,0-91
Jefferson Kanawha
14:
12203 23; 81
King and Qu
5. 5
33:3 39' 12 4 :54 37:
23
.1
21.
3.3-2 5.927
King William
5 13, 49.
6350 45; 17 i :
56 10
2 170
31
5-9 8,411|
xix
10 1038 22 12 15 20 47
7 116 103
23
25!
1
31
124 8,151|
Logan
0, 2 001 7
1871: 28: 11
9.
59 28'
219 370
150| 4,309|
21
1
4' 1601 321: 4,453|
Fauquier
26.53 37 362! 5' 6 9 62 12 12 32| 97:
182: 71: 6 1213
126
924 274 2,302 14.049
Fayette
11
259 120
10 4501; 5
Grayson
14 18 22, 3 3, 7!
2×: 1: 219 143
440 1 .. 121 33
490
1
1
1
1
1 1
75, 218 - 1,131' 7,622
Harrison
1
33
1 5340 1384 1-62 13,237 33,076
James City
2 04.72 317: 43 90 72 151;
112
50 40 9.50 13.5671
S
16.
2 153.
4.102 6,366
Halifax
14.17 31 ,78 15.27 18 179
598 281: 16.6209 22.
Hampshire
52 171 174 71:
63. 577 1,403'12,295
Goochland
6: 5'11; 80
118 45.
4
34
284 lob. 10, 68U
20
935, 420 6,15110.1481
Braxton
3. 3, 6; 9
67; 21
1
11!
746.
091, 7.9481
3221 339, 567: 8,163|
Campoall .
11 14 21,178
182 228: 23 3257
5: 589: 9.311 17,813
Charles City
2 2 6 36!
Elizabeth City
2: 1. 5! 19
8 13
Floyd
6: 8 13! 21!
35,670 307: 57
Fluvaluta ..
4 105 64: 15
Greene
1.710 4,232
26
Henry
87 4, 90
31 3 !!
3 3
5.253 80 24
135: 693 4,145:19, 0281
Bath
0;1: 2 31; 27 116: 79 321
2,925 11,679
10
Counties.
Blures.
**
162
MISCELLANIES.
--
Counties.
Neat cattle.
Sheep.
Swine.
Wheat.
Rye.
Indian corn.
Oats.
Potatoes.
Tobacco,
Cotton.
Capital in
Cap. in ma-
nufactories.
Schule:s in
schools.
Slaves.
Population.
Londen
27,32 33 573 82 892 225
275
196 1274. 5.213 20, 131:
Louisa
11:13 20 221
1
275 138.
10,26101
19:
111
133
33
2-11 808: 6,777
Marshall
5 7 9 83
2,146 103
30!
19
13
70 46; 6,937
Matthews
4' 2 9|
9
171|54|
17
25 19
34
35 50 65 29
24 202
98, 2,233
Middlesex
4 3 7
17
1 122 21
8
3
3
66
43 653 260 17.36>
Monroe
12 20 14| 68
39 209 121 23
65 179 868| 8,422
1,473: 1,405|
Morgan
3 4 6:
35 .
1-4: 03| 42
17
1
Nansemond .
7 423
2.2
|140
51|
8
4
21
3,385 6,230
Nicholas
4 5 5
4
3.56 260
35: 35
1 1985
250 1085 41;
3,620! 7.715
Northumbcal'nd
3,212; 2,52₺
Nottoway
6 @ 10:
42
249
70 91
2213 19:2229
21
55
195 3.45 49 50 520 1089
5,967.12.957
Ohio
4 27.10,125;
2 254 146.
43
465
212;13,351
Orange
7 11 15
98
8,395
21
416
2 95
115: 348
5,364: 9,125
Page
5. 5 13 105
30:156 29
15
7
99
87 257
781| 6,194
Patrick
7 6,21 28
3.2223
69
618
21
14 51:
120 235
462
6,940
Pitsylvania
11,588 26,395
Pocahontas
7 10
18
21 41: 50 21|
12
28.
J33
219, 2.922;
Powhatan
5; 7| 9
54
189 1381
7|1850
28
43; 219 45 517 238 204 30
3,087|
7,285
Prince William
7 8 9
47
5
66
22
118
2,767
8,144
Prince George
3: 3 .6
31
|177| 35|
6
115
23
5
12
117 4,004
7,175
Pulaski
7 10 12
17'144 80
15
54
136 954'
3,759 6,208
Randolph
10 14: 9
7:151| 87| :310. 94
21
7 5
65 93 47 169
304:
174: 844 29
700; 7.878
Scott
10 14 24 40
2204 112
7
344 7,303|
Shenandoah Smythe
9 11 16 52; 10 8 44. 10
3 554: 71
25 851
56
6 419
6,555 14.325
Surrey
4 4.13:
1185 36 34 405 101
. 5 64 176 4771
36
6
363
6,3=4 11.2229:
T'yler
6 12.13: 53: 2 1 4 1 !!
2 223. 58 351 9 1 46 2
1
1
63:
218
831: 1.156.
Warren
5 7 13 14- 14 19 32 107
17 219. 3- 16 c 337 296 60
1
5
10
Wood
8 14 12 71
99
17
624 7.923
Wythe
14 18 23 86, 47:234 15; 38|
173
72
309| 1,618 9,375 170
1 4,720
.
151
229 126 44 157
50 442; 9, 70 4:24 347| 287 77 7
72. 2,515
Norfolk.
8 3 19
4 5 12
297 197. 52
6
39
54
Nelson
8. 8 20 128.
36 327
36,130 51
13 36
351
109
124
1
2
27 35, 40' 502 196:
3,663
9,257
Roanoke
5 611 111 14 182 98
6, 599
1,553 5.4-19
Rockbridge
13 20 26 964
70 505 249.
36
994
Rockingham .
20 24 39 375, 91 470 248. 14 15 :27| 59 8 291 142
411 21 17
34
186, 178 29
298
838: 6,5221
Southampton Spottsylvania Stafford
5: 5| 9 31
4 212; 68: 12|
34 7601
18
47.
71
186
2,853 6,150;
Sussex
9 8 24 19 10 11 15 31
13 150 196 16'
41: 29
17 42
416
786 6.290. 85, 6,954,
Warwick
Washington
$3 304 67
115 443
1,434 5,6:27;
Westmoreland
5 4 6 10
87
1
Madison
7; 9 13 101 21272: 33|
397: 4.308| 8.107
Mason
8 9 17 70.
2 299.
91
Mecklenburg
14 14 32: 97
172 2241
25 4121 ار
5:20 11,915 20 72 1
Mercer
3 4.5
13
5: 56. 23 8
3
303 4 26
2,209: 4.392|
Monongalia
16 29 20 166.
6 331 320
62
15!
Montgomery
10 13 17:106 21:209:111.
18
211
13-1: 4.253
4,530 10,7951
New Kent
4| 3| 9
316: 34!
80
38| 11
4
40
Northampton
179!
55
20
7,071 9.719
1,842 8,032
Perdleton
14 21 13 66 19 19 42 142
6 679 334
21.6439
18 200
91: 6,866 8,576 14,963
Princess Anne
11: 7.21
7
299: 85 4 180 105
13,3107 37| 6
37
29 31
41 206:
3,510 14.231 1,899 17.314
Russell .
11 12 16 164: 32 298:105 35
355; 1.033 11.6181
8 8,12: 58
303 102 10: 333.
4 395
153 619: 7.590 15,1611
2| 195| 3,596 8.454
Tazewell
7 12 9
3 18 43 130
Prince Edward
8 12 15:
57 304 129
30)
Rappahannock
9 13 18:180
46 27
108 216
953
-
Lunenburg
7 9 16: 37
53' 15 2131|
111
70, 591: 9,010 13.433
230, 6,707.11,055!
13/ 149 201
349 3,309 7.442
551: 2,05~ 13.001; 163. 3.590 7,019
York
5,129 7.92.4|
Preston
7,845:21,092
1 953
63
11
7 221:178
stores,
163
ACCOMAC COUNTY.
· ACCOMAC COUNTY.
This is the northernmost of the two counties forming the " cast- ern shore of Virginia," which is cut off' from the rest of the state by Chesapeake Bay. Accomac was formed from Northampiou co., in 1672. The term Accawmacke -- as it was anciently spelt --- · is derived from a tribe of Indians who once inhabited this region. It is about 48 miles long, and 10 wide ; its surface is level, and the soil, though generally light, is in many parts fertile. It produces well, wheat, corn, cotton, oats, &c., and an abundance of table vegetables. Pop. 1830, 19,656; 1840, whites 9,518, slaves 4,630, free colored 2,848 ; total 17,096.
Accomac C. H., or Drummondstown, in the heart of the county, 212 miles E. of Richmond, contains about 40 dwellings. Horn- town, Modest-town, and Pungoteague, are small villages.
Upon the Atlantic coast are numerous islands, stretching along the whole length of the " eastern shore." The two northernmost are Chincoteague and Assateague. The first is about 8 miles long, and contains nearly a hundred families. About one-third of their bread-corn is raised upon the island; the sea and wrecks furnish the remainder of their subsistence. Assateague, though many times larger, has but few inhabitants, and is untit for the cultiva- tion of corn. Its rich bent-growing lands are subject to inunda- tion from the spring tides. The scenery around Chincoteague is in many places inexpressibly sublime, and the view of the ocean and the surrounding cluster of islands, from the elevated sand-hills of Assateague, is enchanting. The Farmer's Register, from which this article is abridged, says that the Hebrides of Scotland, so pro- fitable to their proprietors, do not possess a hundredth part of the advantages of these Atlantic islands for all the purposes of com- fortable living and extensive stock-raising ; yet, for want of enter- prise, they are neglected. These islands are flat, sandy, and soft, producing abundance of excellent grass.
Some thirty years since, an immense number of wild horses were raised upon these islands, with no other care than to brand and castrate the cults. Their winter subsist- ence was supplied abundantly by nature. The tall, heavy rich grass of the flatlands affording them green food nearly the whole of the winter, the tops of which alone were killed by the frosts, mild as usual so near the ocean. It was.customary to have annual gatherings in June, to drive these wild horses into pens, where they were seized by islanders accustomed to such adventures, who pushed fearlessly in among them. On being broken, more docile and tractable animals could not be found. The horses have been gradually diminishing, until on one island they are nearly extinct, and the rustic splendor, the crowds, and the wild festivity of the Assateague horse penning's, are among the things that were.
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