d fortunate events of my life. Viewing it
in the light of human likelihoods, it is quite probable that, but for
the mere circumstance of being thus removed before the rigors of slavery
had fastened upon me; before my young spirit had been crushed under the
iron control of the slave-driver, instead of being, today, a FREEMAN, I
might have been wearing the galling chains of slavery. I have sometimes
felt, however, that there was something more intelligent than _chance_,
and something more certain than _luck_, to be seen in the circumstance.
If I have made any progress in knowledge; if I have cherished any
honorable aspirations, or have, in any manner, worthily discharged the
duties of a member of an oppressed people; this little circumstance must
be allowed its due weight{109} in giving my life that direction. I have
ever regarded it as the first plain manifestation of that

_Divinity that shapes our ends,
Rough hew them as we will_.

I was not the only boy on the plantation that might have been sent to
live in Baltimore. There was a wide margin from which to select. There
were boys younger, boys older, and boys of the same age, belonging to
my old master some at his own house, and some at his farm--but the high
privilege fell to my lot.

I may be deemed superstitious and egotistical, in regarding this event
as a special interposition of Divine Providence in my favor; but the
thought is a part of my history, and I should be false to the earliest
and most cherished sentiments of my soul, if I suppressed, or hesitated
to avow that opinion, although it may be characterized as irrational by
the wise, and ridiculous by the scoffer. From my earliest recollections
of serious matters, I date the entertainment of something like an
ineffaceable conviction, that slavery would not always be able to hold
me within its foul embrace; and this conviction, like a word of living
faith, strengthened me through the darkest trials of my lot. This good
spirit was from God; and to him I offer thanksgiving and praise.

CHAPTER X. _Life in Baltimore_

CITY ANNOYANCES--PLANTATION REGRETS--MY MISTRESS, MISS SOPHA--HER
HISTORY--HER KINDNESS TO ME--MY MASTER, HUGH AULD--HIS SOURNESS--MY
INCREASED SENSITIVENESS--MY COMFORTS--MY OCCUPATION--THE BANEFUL EFFECTS
OF SLAVEHOLDING ON MY DEAR AND GOOD MISTRESS--HOW SHE COMMENCED TEACHING
ME TO READ--WHY SHE CEASED TEACHING ME--CLOUDS GATHERING OVER MY
BRIGHT PROSP