that time slaves were brought from
foreign lands, and were a source of traffic, as may be inferred by the
readiness with which the Ishmaelites purchased Joseph of his brethren,
and resold him in Egypt.

"Nay, that slavery was permitted by the _Almighty_ is fully proved by
the state of the Jewish nation, until _He_ thought proper to bring them
out of the house of bondage.

"If then the laws of God provided against the ill treatment of the
slave, slavery is virtually acknowledged, as not being contrary to his
divine will. We have a further proof, _subsequent to the mission of our
Saviour_, that the Apostles considered slavery as lawful."

"I remember it: you refer to Paul sending back the runaway slave
Onesimus. Well, I'll admit all this," replied Mr Berecroft, who had a
great dislike to points of Scripture being canvassed after dinner; "and
I wish to know what inference you would draw from it."

"That I was just coming to: I assert that my property in slaves is
therefore as legally mine as my property in land or money; and that any
attempt to deprive me of either is equally a _robbery_, whether it be
made by the nation, or by an individual. But now, sir, allow me to ask
you a question; show me where liberty is?--Run over all the classes of
society, and point out one man who is free."

Mr Berecroft, who perceived the effect of the arrack punch, could not
refrain from laughing as he replied, "Well, your friend Mr Kingston, is
he not free?"

"Free! not half so free as that slave boy who stands behind your chair.
Why, he is a merchant, and whether he lives upon a scale of princely
expenditure, whether wholesale or retail, banker or proprietor of a
chandler's shop, he is a speculator. Anxious days and sleepless nights
await upon speculation. A man with his capital embarked, who may be a
beggar on the ensuing day, cannot lie down upon roses: he is the _slave_
of Mammon. Who are greater _slaves_ than sailors? So are soldiers, and
all who hold employ under government. So are politicians; they are
_slaves_ to their tongues, for opinions once expressed, and parties once
joined, at an age when reason is borne down by enthusiasm, and they are
fixed for life against their conscience, and are unable to follow its
dictates without blasting their characters. Courtiers are _slaves_ you
must acknowledge."

"I beg your pardon," interrupted Kingston, "but I perceive that you make
no distinction between those enthralled by