Vocal music might be punctuated by tom toms and primitive wind or stringed instruments, or might swell in solo or chorus without accompaniment.

Singing, however, appears not so characteristic of Africans at home as of the negroes in America.

On the other hand garrulous conversation, interspersed with boisterous laughter, lasted well-nigh the livelong day.

Daily life, indeed, was far from dull, for small things were esteemed great, and every episode was entertaining.
It can hardly be maintained that savage life is idyllic.

Yet the question remains, and may long remain, whether the manner in which the negroes were brought into touch with civilization resulted in the greater blessing or the greater curse.