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Darwin, Charles, 1809-1882

"The Voyage of the Beagle"

The whole
community is rancorously divided into parties on almost every
subject. Among those who, from their station in life, ought to be
the best, many live in such open profligacy that respectable people
cannot associate with them. There is much jealousy between the
children of the rich emancipist and the free settlers, the former
being pleased to consider honest men as interlopers. The whole
population, poor and rich, are bent on acquiring wealth: amongst
the higher orders, wool and sheep-grazing form the constant subject
of conversation. There are many serious drawbacks to the comforts
of a family, the chief of which, perhaps, is being surrounded by
convict servants. How thoroughly odious to every feeling, to be
waited on by a man who the day before, perhaps, was flogged, from
your representation, for some trifling misdemeanour. The female
servants are of course much worse: hence children learn the vilest
expressions, and it is fortunate if not equally vile ideas.
On the other hand, the capital of a person, without any trouble on
his part, produces him treble interest to what it will in England;
and with care he is sure to grow rich. The luxuries of life are in
abundance, and very little dearer than in England, and most
articles of food are cheaper.


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