The English in the West Indies

An eminent Victorian historian makes observations on the British West Indies, and comments on their peoples and government.

Eminent Victorian historian James Anthony Froude travelled around the British West Indies in 1886–1887. These observations on the people of the different islands (first published in 1888), and views on how they should be governed, were highly controversial, implying that former slaves were not yet capable of self-government.James Anthony Froude was one of the foremost Victorian historians in England, though he was often controversial and opinionated, especially towards Catholicism. His biography of Carlyle in 1884, with his emphasis on Carlyle's weaknesses as well as his brilliance, caused lasting offence to many. He then began travelling in British colonies, which led to the publication of Oceana (1886) and The English in the West Indies (1888) which combined anecdotes and observations with Froude's opinions on the British Empire. The latter provoked many angry responses to his views on how the colonies should be governed. He favoured self-government, but feared that democracy would cause the British islands to go the same way as French Haiti, stating that black rule in Grenada would led to a rapid return to savagery. Apart from his political opinions, the book contains interesting and vivid descriptions of the islands and their inhabitants.