We In thus recommending a departure from the cautious policy adopted by Lord Stanley-a policy at variance with the wishes of the great body of abolitionists, and a kind of compromise between the contending parties, one important consideration remains to be noticed the fitness of the negro for instant freedom-this fitness being looked at in reference to his remaining a dweller amidst the society in which he is now placed. Some most eminent naturalists and physiologists have not hesitated to place the negro, as a rational and intellectual creature, far below ourselves. If this position can be established-if experience tells us that the black man is inferior to the white man-abolitionists and non-abolitionists will not long have cause to trouble themselves respecting the future race of the negro, when once freed from the preservative power of slavery. The expression, preservative power of slavery, may perhaps be deemed a curious one, and yet it accurately expresses our meaning-which is, that an inferior race cannot co-exist on terms of equality with another more highly endowed, or greatly in advance of it in civilization: one of them must inevitably perish. How far is the supposition borne out by the facts of the case as they at present stand? Has the negro, taking his unfavourable position into account, continued his race in any thing like a fair ratio of increase? have no materials to enable us to form an opinion beyond the bare fact, that of the immense importations which have been going on almost uninterruptedly to the West India Islands, since the first voyage of Hawkins in the reign of Elizabeth, scarcely a tenth remain. Of the certain disappearance of half-civilized and barbarous nations before European settlers, we have positive proof, both in the Red Men of America, the Hottentot of Southern Africa, and the inhabitants of New South Wales. And yet the American Indian was and is a far nobler intellectual being than the negro, Mr. Jefferson, in his "Notes on the State of Virginia," remarks, that the American Indians, without the advantage enjoyed by many negroes in a state of servitude, are found possessing powers of mind infinitely superior. "The Indians will carve figures on their pipes, not destitute of design and merit: they will crayon out an animal, a plant, or a country, so as to prove the existence of a germ in their minds, which only wants cultivation. They astonish you with strokes of the sublime oratory, such as prove their reason and sentiment strong: their imagination is glowing and elevated; but never yet could I find that a black had uttered a thought above the level of a plain narrative-never see even an elementary trait of painting and sculpture." Yet these men are fast disappearing. Dr. Madden has not entered into the subject very minutely, contenting himself with asserting that, as far as moral qualities are concerned, it is his opinion that the negro deserves a higher place than has hitherto been assigned to him. He relates a horrible story of three Coromantee Negroes suffering violent deaths with a fierce heroism, which he thinks a proof that great * "Notes on the States of Virginia,” p. 232. moral courage belongs to the coloured race. He admits indeed that they are addicted to lying, prone to dissimulation, and inclined to dishonesty; and says candidly, that an admission of this nature goes far to warrant the conclusion that they must be degraded and debased. But he maintains that these qualities are the results of his condition. To some extent they doubtless are so. Perhaps the best criterion for judging the improvable qualities of the negro will be found in the progress made by education and religion amongst them. Here again it is true that their condition has imposed shackles upon them; still many judicious and persevering efforts have been made to enlighten the wretched superstitions forming the groundwork of their faith. The following anecdote, from Dr. Madden, is a curious illustration that Christianity has made little progress in reality, however extensively its influence is believed to have operated :-"I had a visit one Sunday morning very lately from three Mandingo negroes, natives of Africa. They could all read and write Arabic, and one of them showed me a Koran, written from memory by himself; but written, he assured me, before he became a Christian." All the three professed to be followers of one of the Sectarian Ministers in Kingston. "I had," says our author, 66 my doubts thereupon. I expressed them to my wife who was present on this occasion, and told her to prepare for a demonstration of Mahometanism. I took up a book, as if by accident, and commenced repeating the wellknown Mussulman salaam to the prophet-Allah Illah, Mahommed rasur allah! In an instant I had a Mussulman trio long and loud, and my negro neophytes were chaunting their namez with irrepressible fervour. Few, very few, indeed," he continues, "of the Native Africans who have been instructed in their creed or their superstition, call which you please, have given up their early rites and observances for those of the religion of the country they were brought to." Indeed, the practice of Obeah, though on the decline, still prevails very largely; and the Fetish divinity of the uncultivated African seems to hold a powerful sway over the black man, in the midst of civilization. Nevertheless, education and Christianity have made some progress; and by the aid of properly organized schools, and by the constant inculcation of divine truths, we believe that the morals of the negro may be greatly improved. If we hesitate in declaring his intellectual capacity to be equal to that of the Caucasian race of mankind, it is, that proofs are still wanting to confirm our impression that God has made all human beings with capacities for civilization, and that the most degraded race have within them the germ of our own nobler qualities. One thing is quite certain-that slavery is an insuperable bar to the growth of moral, social, and intellectual excellence, and that it acts almost as unfavourably upon the slave-owner as upon the slave. Neither the planter nor the negro have been fairly benefited by their association hitherto : the perty of the one has been exposed to perpetual danger, and its value has been long on the decline; whilst the disposition and character of the other has undergone little or no amelioration-nor can it, as long as slavery exists. Give civil rights to the negro, for till this is done, no effort, either religious or educational, will improve him. pro Remove the stain of utter degradation-raise him from his prostrate condition-elevate him, that he may feel he holds a responsible place in society-and then will be the time for solving the problem, whether or not his physical and intellectual energies rank him as an equal with his white brethren. The endeavour to experimentalize by the apprenticeship system is fraught with danger. In place of improving the condition of the parties interested, it is far more likely to lead to the extermination of one portion of the population of the West Indian Islands; and whether that portion would be white or black, it is impossible to say. Antigua and Bermuda have set the example of instant abolition: let it be followed, for whatever risk there might be in the full freedom of the negro, there is tenfold danger in his partial freedom. DIARY OF A BACHELOR BACHELORS AND THEIR HOUSEKEEPERS. BY THE AUTHOR OF OLD MAIDS.' "Your sleep is broke by no domestic cares. WALSH. A BACHELOR'S DIARY. MAY 9, 1830-“Got up at nine o'clock-had a good nightlay awake for some time, thinking over a singular dream about Miss Touchtie, who has been buried forty years Anacreon and Horace "Nocturnis te ego somniis Jam captum teneo," &c. &c. remembered -could not make up my mind whether to put on my kerseymere or knitted woollen breeches-rung for Sally, to ask her opinion-she advised the woollen, as it was a fine morning, and took them down to air-remarked I looked very well-came down to breakfast-one egg, two muffins, and three cups of coffee-very good, and felt better after eating them-stomach very ticklish lately-wonder whether 'Abernethy's blues,' or ' Cooke's antibilious' are the best regulators. Sally takes Cooke's,' and reports favourably-mem., ask her for two before dinner-newspaper soiled, and very dull-fed the chickens Sally says one's ready to lay-glad to hear it, as the two poles are barren-walked in the garden-John exceedingly careless, half the work undone scolded him, and took a dibble myself for five minutes-Sally says he takes the sallading home-charged him with it-he denies it, and accuses Sally. Mem., determined to discharge John as a bad servant. Returned to the house, and watched Sally rub the dining-room furniture-received a note from my sister Jane-wants me to dine with her ask Sally's opinion-advises not, as she says she is cooking something nice for me herself-resolved to stay-sent a note of excuse-Jane's husband in difficulties, and owes me a hundred pounds-must see after it-walked out into the fields-a delightful day-gathered some primroses, daises, and buttercups, for Sally to put on the mantel-piece-fond of flowers-find a throstle's nest, and see a battle between two cows-thought of Myron's cow-mem., to read about it-sat down on a bank to admire a fine prospect-in a few minutes found that the ground was damp-very uncomfortablefrightened lest I should take cold-hasten home to tell Sally-found young Stoddart with his half year's interest-Sally's face very red, and her hair out of curl-mem., to inquire the reason-give Stoddart a glass of wine, and change my dress, by Sally's advice. Dinnerswallowed two of Cooke's antibilious' -a delicate fowl, cooked to a nicety, and some rich sausages of Sally's making-eat heartily, but still felt chilly no cheese, as Sally says it don't agree with Cooke's antibilious'-drink three glasses of particular Port, and am in good spirits-call Sally to sing me "Sweet Colin'- a charming song-give her half-a-crown to buy a new ribbon-sleep from three to five-find Mr. Snugwell smoking in the parlour-can't abide tobacco, but he's an old friend-Sally looking sulkymem., to ask the reason-Snugwell stayed till ten, drinking, smoking, and talking politics-head aches-Sally warms the bed, and makes me some white-wine whey." May 10" Passed an uncomfortable night, dreaming about cows and Sally-fearful I have taken cold-breakfast in bed, and Sally put a bottle of hot water to my feet to promote perspiration-fall asleep, and awake refreshed-ring for Sally to bring my clothes from the fire, where she has taken them to air-long time in answering the bell-hear the hall-door shut-wonder who has been in-Sally says it's a beggar man-get up, and read the newspaper-nothing new, but a singular case of affiliation which I read for Sally--dinner-time -eat the remainder of the fowl, and a little lamb-chop-tapped a fresh barrel of ale-found the cask nearly empty and quite staleSally says it must have leaked—very singular, for it's a new barrel— mem., to speak to the brewer-look into the wine-bin-find a dozen broken bottles-Sally says it's the rats-mem., to get some arsenicdrink three glasses of wine-vexed and out of spirits-walk to see my sister Jane after an hour's sleep-stay tea-give Tom a shilling for a new top, and Jenny sixpence for sugar-plums get home about nine-Sally complains of being poorly-feel her pulse-very quick-give her a dose of James's powder, and see her feet put into warm water-send her to bed-sit up reading a new novel till half-past ten - take Sally a little rum-and-water says she is better, and calls me the best gentleman in the world-poor thing-hope she'll be quite well in the morning-a very grateful and worthy creature-in her thankfulness she weeps, and lays my hand on her heart-poor thing, poor thing-wish her good nightalmost overcome by her gratitude-go to bed-long while in going to sleep-couldn't get Sally out of my head-poor thing." May 11-"Get up at nine-ring, but no answer-part dress, and find Sally in bed still very poorly-call John Gardener to make the fires-feel very uncomfortable-sitting-room untidied-no hot water, though it is my shaving morning-stomach disordered-begin to fear that Cooke's antibilious' have disagreed with me-ask Sally about them, when she tells me she made a mistake and gave me two of some other kind of pills-much disturbed-she gets up and brings my breakfast-can't touch it-read a few pages of Buchan-shave and dress-no newspaper-it begins to rain-very unhappy-look over my will, and read two chapters in Jobrather comforted-Sally ill-tempered and sulky-walk about the house, not knowing what better to do-Dinner-time-take one of 'Abernethy's blues-an abominable cutlet-tastes of smoke and soot, and plates, knives, and forks dirty-something which Sally calls an egg-pudding, a nasty-looking compound-potatoes a mere pulp, though she knows I can't touch them if not mealy-no cheese-says it's all done-very singular-eat no dinner-out of temper-gently hint to Sally what a mess she has brought me-flies into a passion, and lets the tray fall in the lobby-feel very uneasy and unhappydrink half a bottle of sherry--not good-lie down on the sofa-have a disturbed sleep-determined to have a little brandy-and-waterring for Sally to bring the key of the beaufet, and hot water-bottle empty-very singular-pretty sure Snugwell left it half full, as he seldom drinks more than half a bottle, and got a fresh one up for him -Sally declares he emptied it-much annoyed-won't have any, and put on my hat, walking-shoes, and gaiters, and walk out, though it still rains-call on sister Jane-find her husband and self seated very comfortably at tea-thought they looked uncommonly snug-sat down sister very cheerful-makes some fresh tea for me, and toasts a roll, with her own hand-very kind-inquire into his present prospects-glad to find him doing well-offer to lend him another hundred -many thanks, but can do without it-much pleased, and desire Jane to send Tom to Dr. Twitchell's boarding-house at my expense -pleasant evening-get rather elevated, and reach home about eleven-Sally gone to bed-night rainy-had to stand knocking for half an hour, though she is moving about the house-great ragesure I hear the back-door opened-go round-all quiet-find Sally asking who's there-tells me she was afraid of thieves-I made so much noise-vexed-go to bed-bed not half made- hard and lumpy." May 12-"Slept soundly-head rather dizzy, and tongue parched -ring for a bottle of soda-water and a Seidlitz powder-Sally comes with a smile, very anxious to get what I want-refreshed, and stomach comforted-get up and dress-find Sally has a capital breakfast ready a slice of delicate ham, and a little broiled fowl→→ |