MDMD(7): Escape

[Michel Ryckx]

Before the Transit, "[the slaves] begin to smile, tentatively but
directly, at Mason and Dixon" (M&D, 98.2-3) for of their owner's
changing behaviour when the Transit is at hand.  Now, with the Transit
over, "the Slaves [. . .] grow more visible and distinct, their Voices
stronger, and their Musick more persuasive." (M&D, 99.31-32)  As we saw
in chapter 8, Dixon says "of Mathematickal necessity, there do remain [.
. .] routes of Escape". (M&D, 69.30-31).

Is a Venus Transit a route of Escape?  Are there two transits: one for
the astronomers and the whites - the other for the slaves?  It is
remarkable the 'escape' is being associated with science, with
mathematics.

There is another escape: the sailor's way.  First we saw them in
Wapping.  Then the way they behaved at the Cape: (M&D, 77.15-16)
"Sailors to whom ev'ry Port of Call's but another Imitation of Wapping",
and now, on the island, (at M&D, 106.7-9) "a Town left to shift as it
may, dedicated to nought but the pleasures of Sailors, --which is to
say, ev'ry species of Misbehavior, speakable and not."

Michel.