Six Months in the West Indies, in 1825

This light-hearted travelogue, published anonymously in 1826, describes twelve Caribbean islands, commenting on their natural history, society, architecture, culture and religion as well as reflecting upon plantations and the slaves working there. Henry Nelson Coleridge (1798–1843) punctuates his account with thinly disguised references to his distant fiancée Sara.

Henry Nelson Coleridge (1798–1843) was plagued with spinal problems and rheumatism throughout his life. The purpose of his six-month voyage around the Caribbean, although ostensibly for his health, was also a futile attempt to prevent his marriage to his beloved cousin Sara. Coleridge's thinly disguised references to Sara punctuate this light-hearted memoir, originally published anonymously in 1826. Coleridge compares and contrasts twelve different islands. Towns, villages, monuments, architecture, churches and plantations are described as he roams the islands freely, visits acquaintances and enjoys the natural history. Throughout his journey Coleridge observes all races on the islands. He gives an account of the Caribbean plantations, commenting on the situation of the plantation slaves and pondering the opportunities available to emancipate them without affecting the plantations' productivity. He also highlights cases where slaves are well treated by plantation owners.