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[[preprinted]] 128 [[/preprinted]]  Dominica #38

The worst of these were 10th October 1780, 21st October 1817, and 11th August 1831. The author says the one of 1780 was probably the most destructive ever witnessed on this hemisphere.
  Earthquakes - Jan 11, 1839 confined to St Lucia & Martinique - May 7, 1842 felt throughout Hispaniola; ravaged Cape Haitian - Feb 8, 1843 felt in all Antilles, destroyed Pointe à Pitre
 The "Roses" & Marguerites" more or less social societies which might have had their origin in politics. Mostly laborers & servants take part in proceedings. (I have more copious notes in my scrapbook collection) Exercising the woman's privalege I have put the notes in here. [[image: arrow drawn on facing page's margin, pointing to typewritten page of notes]]
  It was very nice this afternoon so we took a walk up Marne Brune - usually called "the marne". We went up by the auto road which makes it a longer walk than going by the footpath from the Gardens. We were gong to take a picture of the Roseau Valley, but got there too late - after there was a great deal of shadow in the valley. We shall have to try it again a little earlier, some afternoon.
  On the Marne are the remains of a type of fort consisting mainly of garrison houses. The grounds are fairly well kept
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[[underline]] The "Roses" and Marguerites" [[/underline]]

  In order to gratify their propensity for dancing the Negroes have formed themselves into two divisions, or "societies", under the somewhat fantastic style of "Roses" and "Marguerites". These societies remained almost in abeyance during the latter days of slavery.

  Although few persons, besides the laboring classes and domestic servants, take any active part in their proceedings, there is scarcely an individual in the island, from the Governor down, who is not enrolled amongst the partisans of one coterie or the other. The Roses are partonized by Saint Rose, and the Marguerites are in the keeping of St. Marguerite. Each socitey has three kings and three queens, who are chosen by the suffrages of the members. The first, or senior, king and queen only make their appearance on solemn occasions such as the anniversary of their coronation or the fete of the patron saint of the society. On all other emergencies they are represented by the kings and queens elect, who exercise a sort of vice-regal authority. The most important personage next to the sovereign in the [[handwritten underline]] chaterelle, [[/underline]] or female singer, upon whom devolves the task of composing their [[handwritten underline]] Belairs [[/underline]], and of reciting them at their public dances. (The [[handwritten underline]] Belair [[/underline]] is a sort of pastoral in blank verse, adapted to a peculiar tune or air. Many of these airs are of a plaintive and melancholy character, and some are exquisitely melodious.)

  Each society has a house hired in Castries, in which it holds its periodical meetings. Here the women, whose attendance is much more regular than that of the men, assemble in the evening to rehearse some favourite  belair for their next dance, or to receive a lecture from their king, who may be seen at one end of the room, pacing up and down with an air of dignity and importance suited to his station. If any member has been guilty of improper conduct since their last meeting, the king takes occasion to advert to it in terms of censure, dwelling with peculiar emphasis upon the superior decorum observed by the rival society. Gross misconduct is punished by expulsion from their ranks.

  The belairs turn generally on the praises of the respective societies; the comparative values of each; the good qualities, both physical and mental, of individual members; and the follies and foibles of the opposite party, and of persons supposed to be connected with or favourable to them. Nothing can surpass the poetical fecundity of the chanterelles.

  The occasions of festivity and dancing are ushered in with universal demonstrations of gaity and joyousness. After assisting at a solemn service commemorative of the day, the Messieurs and Dames, decked out in their most costly dresses, proceed in groups to visit their friends amongst the higher classes, distributing cakes and flowers in honor of the fete. This accomplished the dancers proceed at sunset to the place appointed for the bamboula.

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