CHAPTER XIX.

All plantation reminiscences resemble a certain patch-work, made when we were children, of bright pieces joined with black squares. The black squares were not pretty, but if left out, the character of the quilt was lost. And so with the black faces, if left out of our home pictures of the past, the character of the picture is destroyed.

What I have written is a simple record of facts in my experience without an imaginary scene or character; intended for the descendants of those who owned slaves in the South, and who may in future wish to know something of the high-toned character and virtues of their ancestors.

The pictures are strictly true, and should it be thought by any that the brightest have alone been selected, I can only say, I knew no others.

It would not be possible for any country to be entirely exempt from crime and wickedness; and here, too, these existed; for prisons, penitentiaries and courts of justice were, as elsewhere, important; but it is a sincere belief that the majority of Southern people were true and good. And that they have accomplished more than any other nation towards civilizing and elevating the negro race, may be shown from the following paragraph in a late magazine:

"From a very early date the French had their establishment on the Western coast of Africa. In 1364 their ships visited that portion of the world. But with all this long intercourse with the white man the natives have profited little. _Five centuries_ have not civilized them, so as to be able to build up institutions of their own. Yet the French have always succeeded better than the English with the negro and Indian element."

Civilization and education are slow; for, says a modern writer:

"After the death of Roman intellectual activity, the seventh and eighth centuries were justly called dark. If Christianity was to be one of the factors in producing the present splendid enlightenment, she had no time to lose, and she lost no time. She was the only power at that day that could begin the work of enlightenment. And starting at the very bottom, she wrought for _nine hundred years_ alone. The materials she had to work upon, were stubborn and unmalleable. _For one must be somewhat civilized to have a taste for knowledge at all; and one must know something to be civilized at all._ She had to carry on the double work of civilizing and educating. Her progress was necessarily slow at first. _But after some centuries_ it began to increase in arithmetical progression until the sixteenth century."

Then our ancestors performed a great work--the work allotted them by God, civilizing and elevating an inferior race in the scale of intelligence and comfort. That this race may continue to improve, and finally be the means of carrying the gospel into their native Africa, should be the prayer of every earnest Christian.

Never again will the negro race find a people so kind and true to them as the Southerners have been. For, said a gentleman the other day, who lives in New York, "In the Northern cities white labor is preferred, and the negroes are to be found on the outskirts, poor, wretched and friendless."

There is much in our lives not intended for us to comprehend or explain; but believing that nothing happens by chance, and that our forefathers have done their duty in the "place it had pleased God to call them," let us cherish their memory, and remember that the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.

For He who rules each wondrous star, And marks the feeble sparrow's fall Controls the destiny of man, And guides events however small.

Man's place of birth; his home; his friends, Are planned and fixed by God alone-- "Life's lot is cast"--e'en death He sends For some wise purpose of His own.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Rev. G. W. Leyburn.

[2] John Randolph, of Roanoke.

[3] John Preston, afterwards Governor of Virginia.

[4] On the route to "Rustic" was a small village called "Liberty," approaching which, and hearing the name, "English Louis" swore he would not pass through any such "---- little Republican town," and turning his horses travelled many miles out of his way to avoid it.

[5] From this vicinity went nine ministers, who were eminent in their several churches; two Episcopal Bishops, one Methodist Bishop, three distinguished Presbyterian and three Baptist divines of talent and fame.

[6] General Scott.

[7] Harpers Ferry.

[8] Here was seen the Mount Vernon silver, which had descended to Mrs. General Washington's great-grandson, General Custis Lee, and which was miraculously preserved during the war, having been concealed in different places--and once was buried near Lexington in a barn, which was occupied by the enemy several days.

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Transcriber's note:

Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as possible, including inconsistent hyphenation.

The following is a list of changes made to the original. The first line is the original line, the second the corrected one.

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small servants, who speedily gat them into their clean aprons, small servants, who speedily got them into their clean aprons,

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Every inch of mahogony was waxed and rubbed to the highest state Every inch of mahogany was waxed and rubbed to the highest state

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and which always looked so pretty on the mahogony. and which always looked so pretty on the mahogany.

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"Oh!" replied another, the idea of us poor Virginia girls taking "Oh!" replied another, "the idea of us poor Virginia girls taking

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or by the gardener to direct the plauting of certain seeds or roots or by the gardener to direct the planting of certain seeds or roots

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not only to furnish their masters table with the choicest meats, not only to furnish their master's table with the choicest meats,

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four horses, with footman, postilion and driver in English livery. four horses, with footman, postillion and driver in English livery.

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of much smaller means than Virginia and South Corolina belles! of much smaller means than Virginia and South Carolina belles!

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who dwell in the desert are always pusilanimous and groveling!" who dwell in the desert are always pusillanimous and groveling!"

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At last, when the latter was seized with a contageous fever At last, when the latter was seized with a contagious fever

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Mr. Thackaray was once entertained at one of them. Mr. Thackeray was once entertained at one of them.

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At Magdalene College, Frances was left for a moment in a parlor, At Magdalen College, Frances was left for a moment in a parlor,

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A scene almost horrible ensued." A scene almost horrible ensued.

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the house at which he was stopping was beseiged by reporters the house at which he was stopping was besieged by reporters

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by the passage of a canon ball through the upper story, by the passage of a cannon ball through the upper story,

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paying all the bills, this genteman had no "rights" there whatever; paying all the bills, this gentleman had no "rights" there whatever;

Her furniture was polished mahogony, and she kept most delicious Her furniture was polished mahogany, and she kept most delicious

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of Southern eloquence--real, soul-inspiring eloquence? of Southern eloquence--real, soul-inspiring eloquence!

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Soon after this was the surrender at Appomatox, and negro slavery Soon after this was the surrender at Appomattox, and negro slavery

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To-day an incident occurred which gratified me more than anything "To-day an incident occurred which gratified me more than anything

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that athough I have long been afflicted, only one of those that although I have long been afflicted, only one of those