A very few observations respecting the special magistrates, will serve to show how liable the apprentice is to suffer wrong without the possibility of obtaining redress.

It is evident that this will be the case unless the special magistrates are _entirely independent_.

This was foreseen by the English government, and they pretended to provide for it by paying the magistrates' salaries at home.

But how inadequate was their provision! The salaries scarcely answer for pocket money in the West Indies.

Thus situated, the magistrates are continually exposed to those temptations, which the planters can so artfully present in the shape of sumptuous dinners.