Chapter 14

I speak as one who has _felt_ these obstacles, having, with the approval of one of the class to whom I have alluded, taken charge of a Sunday school among his servants. More attentive and grateful pupils I never had, but it has pained my heart to feel the difficulty of leading them even to the _threshold_ of knowledge; and there leaveing them!

In an adjoining household, however, it was still worse. George, a light-colored "boy" of twenty-five, the "factotum" of his mistress, was the husband of our cook, Letty. I had succeeded in taking Letty through several chapters in the New Testament, and this had aroused the ambition of George.

"What do you think?" exclaimed one of the family to me, one morning; "Mrs. ---- has been _whipping_ George!"

"Why! for what could that have been? I thought he was a favorite servant!"

"For taking lessons of Letty in the spelling-book!"

It was even so. The poor fellow wanted to learn to stammer in his Testament, and Letty, like any true-hearted wife, had given him the little assistance she could render. The whipping failed of its intended effect, however. Going one evening, at a late hour, into Letty's cabin, I found George seated by her on the floor, in the corner of their mud fire-place, poring intently over the forbidden spelling-book! He started up confused, but seeing who it was, he was reassured, and went on with his lesson! Whether George, Letty, or any of those who have gained the rudiments of science, will be _more happy_ in their servitude, is to me exceedingly doubtful. Thus far the severer classes of masters have the right; a slave, to be perfectly contented _as_ a slave, must be in total ignorance. But better, far better, greater suffering, if it bring enlargement of man's higher being, than that system that would _smother_ the soul in its bodily case. Let the slave have the key to the gate of Life Eternal, even if his pathway through this life must be more thickly sown with thorns. Let the opposing principles wage, until the right of _one_ is asserted. And, oh! above all pray for the day when these fetters shall be stricken from the souls God has created, wherewith to people, we firmly trust, no mean "tabernacle" of His New Jerusalem!

THIBODAUX, Nov. 25, 1853.

FUN-JOTTINGS;

OR,

LAUGHS I HAVE TAKEN A PEN TO!

BY N. P. WILLIS

The Most Popular Author Before the Public!

ONE VOLUME 12MO. MUSLIN--PRICE $1.25.

* * * * *

FOURTH THOUSAND IN SIXTY DAYS!

* * * * *

ALDEN, BEARDSLEY & Co., Auburn, N. Y., } } Publishers. WANZER, BEARDSLEY & Co., Rochester, N. Y., }

* * * * *

Extracts from Notices of the Press.

"From the title of the volume one would suppose that it was made up exclusively of funny anecdotes and amusing stories. Such, however, is not the fact. Many incidents narrated in the book, will be read with other feelings than those inspired by the perusal of laughable anecdotes. But they, as well as the _real_ 'Fun-Jottings,' will be perused with interest. The work is written in Willis' peculiar and happy style. It will unquestionably meet with a wide sale. It is printed in the best style of the art, and handsomely bound."--_Auburn Daily Adv._

"Some twenty choice love stories, all ending in fun, and redolent with mirth, are related with humor and sentiment, which are decidedly captivating."--_Syracuse Journal._

"These Fun Jottings' embrace the best of Willis' livelier efforts. * * * The most clever, graphic, and entertaining sketches ever produced in this country."--_Boston Post._

"It is a good book, and will be read by thousands."--_Chicago Journal_.

"Some of Mr. Willis' happiest hits and most graceful specimens of compositions are here included."--_N. Y. Evangelist._

"Fresh, lively, gay, and gossipping, these 'Fun Jottings' deservedly merit the enduring garb in which they appear."--_Home Gazette_.

"One of Willis' pleasant books, in which the reader is always sure to find entertainment."--_Philadelphia Mirror_.

"The contents are better than the title."--_N. Y. Tribune_.

"A volume of light sketches, written in Mr. Willis' most amusing style, and will be read by everybody."--_Detroit Advertiser_.

"It contains the best specimen of the prose writings of Mr. Willis."--_Montgomery Gazette_.

"The book is entertaining and spicy--just the kind of reading to keep one 'wide awake' during the long nights that are now approaching."--_Phil. News_.

"For laughter without folly, for a specific in innocent mirthfulness against _ennui_ and _hypo_--as a cordial to the animal spirits when drooping with care or flagging with excess of labor--this volume of 'Fun-Jottings' bears the palm."--_N. Y. Independent_.

"It is funny and fascinating--a collection of Willis' dashing sketches--half comic, half pathetic."--_Cincinnati Herald_.

"Mr. Willis' reputation as a story writer, has long been well established, and lovers of this kind of reading will find a rich entertainment in this volume."--_Hartford Times_.

THE FARM AND THE FIRESIDE;

OR,

THE ROMANCE OF AGRICULTURE,

BEING

HALF HOURS OF LIFE IN THE COUNTRY, FOR RAINY DAYS AND WINTER EVENINGS.

BY REV. JOHN L. BLAKE, D. D.

AUTHOR OF FARMER'S EVERY-DAY BOOK; THE FARMER AT HOME; AND A GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.

* * * * *

COMMENDATIONS OF THE PERIODICAL PRESS.

From the Ohio Farmer.

DR. BLAKE is justly regarded as one of the best agricultural writers in the country, and the work before us is one of the most interesting productions of his pen. Its peculiar merit, as a work for the fireside, consists in the variety of its topics, its plain and simple, yet attractive style, its fine engravings, and the interesting romance which the author has thrown around Rural and Agricultural Life. In this respect, "The Farm and the Fireside" is a work well adapted to the youthful mind. We hope it may be extensively read, as it cannot fail to improve the taste and promote inquiry in the most useful and practical of all departments of science.

* * * * *

From the New-York Evangelist.

The aim of the author has been to throw over labor, home and agricultural life, their true dignity and charm; to introduce the farmer to the delights and privileges of his lot; to embellish the cares of toil with those kindly sentiments so naturally associated with the country and its employments. It is a pleasant book--one that will enliven the fireside, elevate and purify the thoughts, and, at the same time, impart a great deal of valuable agricultural knowledge. We know not how the natural trains of thought of the farmer could be more aptly met or more safely and agreeably led, than they are by these brief and varied discussions. The range is as wide as life itself--morals, religion, business, recreation, education, home, wife and daughters--every relation and duty is touched upon, genially and instinctively.

* * * * *

From the New-York Tribune.

We have here another highly instructive and entertaining volume from an author, who had laid the community under large obligations by the enterprise and tact with which he has so frequently catered to the popular taste for descriptions of rural life. Its contents are of a very miscellaneous character, embracing sketches of natural history, accounts of successful farming operations, anecdotes of distinguished characters, singular personal reminiscences, pithy moral reflections, and numerous pictures of household life in the country. No family can add this volume to their collection of books without increasing their sources of pleasure and profit.

* * * * *

From the Northern Christian Advocate.

The venerable author of this work is entitled to the warmest thanks of the public for his numerous and valuable contributions to our literature. He is truly an American classic. We have been conversant with his writings for the last twenty years, and have always found them both useful and entertaining in a high degree. His writings on Agriculture contain much real science, with numerous illustrative incidents, anecdotes, and aphorisms, all in the most lively and pleasing manner. By this means the dry details of farming business are made to possess all the interest of romance. The style is clear, easy, and dignified; the matter instructive, philosophical, and persuasive. This work is an eloquent plea for the noble and independent pursuit of Agriculture.

* * * * *

From the National Magazine.

We return our thanks for the new volume of Dr. Blake, "The Farm and the Fireside, or the Romance of Agriculture, being Half Hours and Sketches of Life in the Country," a charming title, certainly, and one that smacks of the man as well as of the country. Eschewing the dryness of scientific forms and erudite details, the author presents detached, but most entertaining, and often very suggestive articles on a great variety of topics--from the "Wild Goose" to "Conscience in the Cow,"--from the "Value of Lawyers in a Community" to the "Objections to early Marriages." The book is, in fine, quite unique, and just such a one as the farmer would like to pore over at his fireside on long winter evenings.

* * * * *

From the New-York Recorder.

"The Farm and the Fireside," is a most interesting and valuable work, being a series of Sketches relating to Agriculture and the numerous kindred arts and sciences, interspersed with miscellaneous moral instruction, adapted to the life of the farmer.

* * * * *

From the Germantown Telegraph.

We have looked through this work and read some of the "Sketches," and feel a degree of satisfaction in saying that it possesses decided merit, and will commend itself, wherever known, as a volume of much social interest and entertainment. The sketches comprise "Country Life" generally--some of them are just sufficiently touched with romance to give them additional zest; while others are purely practical, and relate to the farmer's pursuit. We regard it as a valuable book, and are sorry our limits will not admit of bestowing upon it such a notice as it really deserves.

* * * * *

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine.

This work is a collection of miscellaneous sketches on the Romance of Agriculture and Rural Life. Matters of fact, however, are not excluded from the volume, which is well adapted for reading in the snatches of leisure enjoyed at the farmer's fireside.

* * * * *

From the True Democrat.

Dr. Blake's publications are all of a high order, and are doing a most important work towards refining the taste, improving the intellect, and rendering attractive the various branches of Agricultural science. Indeed we know no author who has so successfully blended the romantic, the rural and beautiful with the poetical, the useful, and true, as has Dr. Blake. This is a peculiar feature of all his works. His style is plain, simple, and perspicuous; and, with unusual tact and judgment, he so manages to insinuate himself upon you, that you are at once amused, delighted, and instructed with the subject he is discussing. In this respect he relieves the study of agricultural science from the abstruseness of technical science, and thus renders himself easily comprehended by all classes of readers.

* * * * *

From the New-York Evening Post.

The author's object is to improve the soil through the mind--not so much to place in the hands of farmers the best methods of raising large crops--for these he refers them to Leibig's Agricultural Chemistry, and to treatises of the like description--but to make them feel how useful, agreeable, and ennobling, is the profession of agriculture, and, above all, how profitable the business must become when skilfully and economically carried on. These money-making considerations are, we suspect, the best moral guano that can be applied to the farmer's spiritual soil. The author writes well of the countryman's independence, the good effect of fresh salubrious air upon his health, and the moral influence of his every-day intimacy with nature upon his mind.

"The Farm and the Fireside" is a kind of Bucolical annual--to be read in seasons of leisure--intended for the Phyllises and Chloes, as well as for the Strephons and Lindors. Dr. Blake has enriched it with curious anecdotes of domestic animals, and of the best way of raising and selling them. He describes model-farms, and the large incomes made from them. He expatiates on the advantages of matrimony in rural life, expounds the true theory of choosing a helpmate, discusses the advantages of Sunday-Schools, and recommends neatness of attire and punctuality in bathing. In short, this volume is as diversified in its aspect as the small garden of a judicious cultivator, where, in a limited space, useful cabbages, potatoes, and all the solid esculent greens, grow side by side with choice fruits and pleasant flowers.

IMMENSE SALE!

* * * * *

LEWIE;

OR,

THE BENDED TWIG!

BY COUSIN CICELY

Author of "SILVER LAKE STORIES."

* * * * *

EIGHTH THOUSAND NOW PRINTING!

* * * * *

NO BOOK sells like it--None so well supplies the demand! Superbly Printed and Beautifully Bound.

Price from $1.00 to $1.75, according to style.

ALDEN, BEARDSLEY & Co., Auburn, N. Y., } } Publishers. WANZER, BEARDSLEY & Co., Rochester, N. Y., }

* * * * *

What the Press Say:

COUSIN CICELY is very industrious--whether in penciling lights or shadows, in describing domestic scenery, or inculcating religious principles, the fair author possesses a happy facility, so as to render her productions alike agreeable and instructive.--_Protestant Churchman._

This book is written in a style well calculated to please, and contains an inestimable moral--plain, concise, and void of superfluities, that a child may understand it--characters life-like and well sustained, and the whole plan of the work is good.--_Yates Co. Whig._

The contents of the work are of the first order and unexceptionable.--_Rochester Daily Union._

The story is not only well written, but it has merits in the dramatic grouping of incidents, graphic delineation of character, and the affecting interest which attracts and supports the reader's attention through the whole work, from the opening scene to the finale.--_Rochester Daily Democrat._

This is a new work from the pen of the gifted author of the "Silver Lake Stories." It is got up in a style of mechanical elegance equal to the issues of Putnam and Appleton, and the quality of its contents will not be found behind that of three-fourths of the publications that emanate from the pens of more wide-known authors, and from publishing houses that employ none but the _best writers_.--_Canandaigua Messenger._

It is a story designed to illustrate the deplorable effects of a neglect of proper parental discipline in infancy; in a well-written preface, the authoress, "Cousin Cicely," assures us it is substantially a narrative of facts. It traces the career of a spoiled and petted boy, whose mother was too weak and indolent to restrain him as she ought, through the several stages of a perverse childhood, a reckless boyhood, and a passionate, ungovernable youth, till this victim of a parent's folly is found in a felon's cell, with the mark of Cain on his brow.--_Auburn Daily Advertiser._

The authoress, who, by the way, need not be afraid to sail under her own proper colors hereafter, claims that most of the incidents are taken from real life; a very creditable averment, as the work, with slight modifications in each individual case, would prove a faithful portraiture of the early training and subsequent career of nine-tenths of the victims of the gallows, and of the penitentiary.--_Mirror, Lyons, N. Y._

The writer of this, and of many other pleasant volumes--"Cousin Cicely," as she chooses to be called--is gifted with rare talents, which she is wisely devoting to useful ends. Her charming "Silver Lake Stories," have effected much good, and this work is well calculated to do the same, both with children of the larger and of the smaller growth. * * * Difficulties of various natures arise, on the last and most important of which hangs the catastrophe of the story. But what that is, and how the book ends, is for the reader to find out, not for us to tell.--_Albany Eve Journal._

* * * One of the domestic sort--speaking of home, dwelling upon home affections and family character, and the incidents of common life, yet as deeply interesting as the most romantic narrative. It has not been paraded before the public with ostentatious praise; but it will be far more acceptable to the reader than many works that have thus attracted interest in advance, without being able to meet and repay it.--_Albany Atlas._

* * * * *

[Transcriber's Notes:

The transcriber made the following changes to the text:

1. p. 24, "two" changed to italic "two" 3. p. 68, Cries she; "but let ... no closing quote 4. p. 84, "warant" changed to "warrant" 5. p. 110, "jeweleries" changed to "jewelries" 6. p. 192, "outage, But" changed to "outage. But" 7. p. 214, will of Legree?" closing quote deleted 8. p. 216, "contend its exists" changed to "contend it exists" 9. p. 234, "manisfestation, They" changed to "manisfestation. They" 10. p. 235, But the Spirit said, "Not so; ... no closing quote 11. Footnote #7, "Ye christian Bondous" changed to "Ye Christian Bondous" 12. p. 293, "cotemporaries" changed to "contemporaries" 13. p. 302, "procelain" changed to "porcelain"

Several page numbers in the Contents are not correct.

"Massacre at Blount's Fort" is actually found on page 16, not 14. Likwise, "A Wish" is found on page 209, not 207. And "Mary Smith" will be found on page 236, not 237. The page numbers in the Contents remains as published.

End of Transcriber's Notes]