Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/347

Rh to a considerable class in these middle Slave States, who would willingly see slavery abolished, and have white labourers in the place of black, to cultivate their maize and tobacco fields.

I like in the twilight to sit on the piazza under the beautiful trees with my amiable hostess, and decoy her on to tell me about her life in her father's house, of her first acquaintance with her husband, their courtship, and all that appertained thereto; of her happiness as a daughter, as a wife;—a little romance as pure, as pleasant as the air and the perfume of flowers around us in these tranquil evening hours, while the fire-flies dance in the dark shadow of the trees. Her love for her father was her first love; that for her good husband was her second; and the third, for the child which she expects, is now awaking, yet with fear and trembling, in her young heart.

In the evenings I see company, either at home or at the houses of some of the professors. These good gentlemen have now a deal to do regarding the examination and the preparation of testimonials and diplomas.

Two of the young students are to deliver farewell addresses before they leave the academy, where they have now finished their studies with honour, and I am invited to hear them.

28th.—I heard one of them yesterday evening, and if the second, which I shall hear this evening, is of the same character, as I expect it will be, I shall not have much pleasure in it. It is amazing what an enslaving power the institution of slavery exercises over the minds of the young, and over intelligence in general; and the young speaker of yesterday evening belonged to this enslaved class. He was a young man of refined features, and a certain aristocratic expression of countenance, but without any peculiar nobility. He is celebrated for having passed through a splendid examination, and for possessing great talents as a speaker.