Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/217

Rh handsome little Edwardo received a reproof, and was left alone and with downcast looks for some time.

I often admire the patience with which she allows herself to be surrounded and followed by the active little troop of black children, who kick up a cloud of dust on the roads, around her white figure. I confess that I could not endure it as she does; but I shall often in memory hear her gentle voice say, as she frequently does, when I turn the conversation to this subject:—

“These poor creatures, whose lot is so hard, who labour for us, and have so little prospect of freedom and happiness, ought we not to alleviate their fate, and sweeten their lives by all means in our power? I cannot bear to see anything suffer—not even an animal. It is a consolation to me to know that my negroes are fond of me. I am fond of them, and I have always found them devoted, and anxious to do all that I wish them to do. They are by no means difficult to manage, when they once see that people really wish them well, and desire to be reasonable and just towards them.

“I never allow any flogging to take place on this plantation without my express permission. The majorals are rude uneducated men, and often will strike a negro in passion and from ill-humour. This ought not to be allowed. When a negro is guilty of any offence which deserves punishment, I am informed, and I determine the punishment. If the whip is to be used it must be used without passion, and only when admonition and reprimand have proved themselves unavailing. My negroes are attached to me because they know that I will never allow them to be ill-used.”

“It is not then true,” said I, triumphantly, “what I have been told of the ingratitude of the negroes; and that in the slave disturbances of 1846, the kindest masters were those who were first murdered by their slaves.”