Captn. Knox went to
Bulo in Virginia to see his brother. Here is no Church within 14 or 15 miles of
the place. Mr. Bayley and I went to see a Negro Ball. Sundays being the only
days these poor creatures have to themselves, they generally meet together and
amuse themselves with Dancing to the Banjo. This musical instrument (if it may
be so called) is made of a Gourd something in the imitation of a Guitar, with
only four strings and played with the fingers in the same manner. Some of them
sing to it, which is very droll music indeed. In their songs they generally
relate the usage they have received from their Masters or Mistresses in a very
satirical stile and manner. Their poetry is like the Music — Rude and
uncultivated. Their Dancing is most violent exercise, but so irregular and
grotesque. I am not able to describe it. They all appear to be exceedingly happy
at these merrymakings and seem as if they had forgot or were not sensible of
their miserable condition.
SOURCE: Nicholas
Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas
Cresswell 1774—1777, pp. 18-9
