ame, and riches, and power, never
stimulates his breast; that breast is safe from its disappointments. His
enjoyments, though few, equal his expectations. His occupations, though
servile, resemble the mass of those around him. His eye can see the
beauties of nature; his ear drinks in her harmonies; his soul content
itself with what is passing in the limited world around him. Yet, he is a
slave! And if he is ever elevated above his condition, it is when praising
the God of the white man and the black; when, with uplifted voice, he sings
the songs of the redeemed; when, looking forward to the invitation which he
hopes to receive, "Come in, thou servant of the Lord."

Christian of the South, remember who it was that bore thy Saviour's cross,
when, toiling, and weary, and fainting beneath it, he trod the hill of
Calvary. Not one of the rich, learned, or great; not one of thine
ancestors, though thou mayest boast of their wealth, and learning, and
heroic acts--it was a black man who relieved him of his heavy burden; Simon
of Cyrene was his name.

Christian of the North, canst thou emancipate the Southern slave? Canst
thou change his employments, and elevate his condition? Impossible. Beware
then, lest thou add to his burden, and tighten his bonds, and deprive him
of the simple enjoyments which are now allowed him.

* * * * *

Esther, seated on the steps of a small porch attached to the side of the
house, was mentally treating with great contempt the amusements of the
other servants. She had her mother's disposition, and disliked any thing
like noisy mirth, having an idea it was not genteel; seeing so little of it
in her master's family. She was an active, cheerful girl, but free from any
thing like levity in her manner.

She had a most devoted admirer in the neighborhood; no less a personage
than Mrs. Kent's coachman. His name was Robert, after Mrs. Kent's father.
Assuming the family name, he was known as Robert Carter. Phillis called him
a harmless goose of a fellow, and this gives the best idea of his
character. He understood all about horses, and nothing else, if we except
the passion of love, which was the constant subject of his conversation. He
had made up his mind to court Esther, and with that in view he dressed
himself in full livery, as if he were going to take his mistress an airing.
He asks Mrs. Kent's permission to be married, though he had not the
slightest reason to suppose E