And indeed we seldom got a direct and explicit answer, without previously stating by way of explanation that we had no doubts of our own, but wished to remove those extensively entertained among our countrymen.

After all, we were scarcely credited in Antigua.

Such cases as the following were common in every school: children of four and five years old reading the Bible; children beginning in their A, B, C's, and learning to read in four months; children of five and six, answering a variety of questions on the historical parts of the Old Testament; children but a little older, displaying fine specimens of penmanship, performing sums in the compound rules, and running over the multiplication table, and the pound, shilling, and pence table, without mistake.
We were grieved to find that most of the teachers employed in the instruction of the children, were exceedingly unfit for the work.

They are very ignorant themselves, and have but little skill in the management of children.

This however is a necessary evil.