often the case, that on the decease of a rich man, all the slaves who attended upon him are put to death. Is it then wonderful that hardness of heart should be the predominant feature in the character of a people among whom such barbarities are committed? There are, however, some exceptions to these observations. The negroes of Foulah are

a gentle race; and there are other tribes, which, in approaching to something like civilization, have acquired some of its virtues. They have established a different kind of traffic from that of their sable brethren, whom we have already noticed. They manufacture cotton, stuffs, mats, fishing nets made from the bark of trees, baskets, &c.; and they trade likewise in salt, gold dust, and palm oil. They have much pleasure in a kind of dance, accompanied by the sound of several instruments, one among which is a kind of organ.

But speaking generally of this race of men, we must confess, the negro is cowardly and cringing so long as he is impressed with fear: but no sooner is he armed with authority than he becomes the most cruel of tyrants. In the colonies, where it is sometimes found necessary to commit the superintendance of the negroes to the most trusty of their own number, it is observed that this overseer enforces obedience with a severity which far surpasses that of the whites; even those whom the owner places for instruction under the more aged negroes, are treated by the latter with the greatest harshness.

But how deeply the evil passions of the soul are rooted in the breast of the negroes, may be ascertained by the fact of their having been known to poison themselves and their whole family, in order to be revenged upon an inhuman

master.

Mr. Oakley's children shuddered as their father con

cluded this speech, but they were too much shocked to make any observation upon the subject, and he resumed his melancholy detail in the following words:

But how, my children, will you believe what I am about to add? It is not a poison which instantly destroys that they administer. No, it is one lingering, and consequently painful in its effects, in order that the self destroyer and the murderer may enjoy the grief and dismay of his master, as he daily witnesses the increasing indisposition of those beings whom he has perhaps bought at a large price, and whose death will naturally be a prodigious loss to him. Gustav. Impossible papa! It surely cannot be true: you must have been imposed upon.

Mr. O. I am afraid, my dear Gustavus, it is but too true. Yet I believe we may attribute such systematic depravity, to the state in which they are plunged. Slavery acts powerfully in depreciating the human mind. The noblest of the human race (I speak of mental superiority) become, by lengthened slavery, insensible to the virtues and greatness of soul they once possessed. These, disdaining the servile arts by which the negro conceals the contempt that burns within his swelling bosom, resist for a time the authority of their master but blows, repeated sufferings, and lengthened torture subdue the mind, and it becomes gloomy and sullen. The Christian slave, with no cheering friend to mitigate his anguish, to soothe his sorrows, treated like the brutes; his once noble mind loses its tone, and an apathy, never to be entirely conquered, even by a total change of condition, takes possession of his mind. What then must be its effects on the untutored negro, who has no principle, no religious checks to these heavings of the heart? Revenge, deep and lasting, though clothed in smiles, takes possession of him: for the gratification of this passion he will

sacrifice his life. This is what all cruel taskmasters may expect. On the contrary, the tender hearted master, the benevolent planter may rest assured, that humanity is more binding than cords, that words of kindness are more efficacious than stripes.

Gustav. But the slave trade is abolished, is it not, sir? Mr. O. Yes, partly so; indeed, among the English it is entirely forbidden. The other powers of Europe have not all agreed to this humane measure; but have promised at some future time that it shall be carried into effect. It would be highly improper to liberate entirely all those negroes who are already slaves, because they would be thrown upon society without the means of procuring a subsistence: but the condition of these is much ameliorated; and there is a charitable society in London, established for the education of negro children; and at Sierra Leone upon the coast of Africa an establishment has been founded, where free negroes can provide for themselves by their own labour.

Gustav. Have not the Americans also established a colony on the West coast of Africa?

Mr. O. They have. It is called Liberia, and its capital is Monrovia, so named from Mr. Monroe, the President of the United States, during whose administration the colony was founded.

Gustav. What is its object?

Mr. O. I believe it is designed to ameliorate the condition of the native Africans; and to afford an asylum to such of the coloured population of the United States as may choose to emigrate to Africa.

Caroline. Speaking of Africa, papa, is not our maccaw*

who is trying to catch the gold fish in the vase, yonder, an African?

Mr. O. No, Caroline, he is a native of Brazil, and was brought over by a friend of mine who lived a long time in Rio Janeiro. He is of the species called Hyacinthine Maccaw, a very rare and valuable bird.

Caroline. When will you tell us something about the American continent, its nations and productions?

Mr. O. To-morrow evening.

On the succeeding evening the children were not backward in reminding their father of his promise to give them some account of the countries and nations of the Western continent.

Mr. O. As I have never visited these countries myself, I shall have to rely entirely on my reading and the verbal accounts which I have received from travellers. I believe, however, that you will find these to be sufficiently interesting.

Gustav. No doubt they will, papa. You will give us the result of the latest observations, I dare say; and we should hardly be able to find these in books without your directions.

Mr. O. It is well to have the advantage of recent accounts in learning the character of a country and its inha