They doubtless find it very convenient, when their stinted purses run low, and mutton and wines run high, to do as the New England school master does, "_board round_;" and consequently the dependence of the magistrate upon the planter is of all things the most deprecated by the apprentice.[A] [Footnote A: The feelings of apprentices on this point are well illustrated by the following anecdote, which was related to us while in the West Indies.

The governor of one of the islands, shortly after his arrival, dined with one of the wealthiest proprietors.

The next day one of the negroes of the estate said to another, "De new gubner been _poison'd_." "What dat you say ?" inquired the other in astonishment, "De gubner been _poison'd_." "Dah, now!--How him poisoned!" "_Him eat massa turtle soup last night_," said the shrewd negro.

The other took his meaning at once; and his sympathy for the governor was turned into concern for himself, when he perceived that the poison was one from which _he_ was likely to suffer more than his excellency.] Congeniality of feeling, habits, views, style and rank--identity of country and color--these powerful influences bias the magistrate toward the master, at the same time that the absence of them all, estrange and even repel him from the apprentice.

There is still an additional consideration which operates against the unfortunate apprentice.