some truth in what her husband had said; but it was a truth her reason could more easily perceive, than her heart feel, for it was steeled by habit.
Mr. Ellison, soon after his marriage, had desired his father to send him over a proper person to teach reading, writing, and accompts; leaving him at liberty as to the stipend, only desiring that the man might be sober and virtuous. As soon as this person arrived, he gave him a neat house and established him schoolmaster, sending all the

children of his Negroe slaves to be under his tuition. He caused them to be instructed in the principles of the Christian religion, hoping thereby to civilise their manners, and rectify their dispositions. This office he performed himself to those more advanced in years, believing instruction would come with more authority and persuasion from him, as they respected him as their master, and loved him for the happiness they enjoyed in his service; and certainly such doctrine can scarcely fail of proving persuasive, when the preacher's actions are so eminently conformable to his precepts.
By plentiful food and a comfortable life, Mr. Ellison's Negroes became stronger than any in the island; the natural strength of those who belonged to other masters being consumed by hardships and hunger. His were therefore able, with ease, to do so much more work, that he might have diminished their number, if compassion had not prevented him. He had the satisfaction of seeing his conduct succeed to his utmost wish. Negroes

are naturally faithful and affectionate, though, on great provocation, their resentment is unbounded, and they will indulge their revenge, though to their own certain destruction.
Above a year passed away without his being obliged to sell another slave; which gave him hopes he should never again be exposed to so painful an exertion of his power. And the poor wretch, whose example had so good an effect on his companions, had all that time suffered the usual severities under a hard master. His self-reproaches made him doubly wretched, and, as he lived in a plantation adjacent to Mr. Ellison's, he was a constant object of compassion to his former companions, who frequently lamented his fate, and represented his distress with such pathetic simplicity, as touched Mr. Ellison's compassionate heart to so great a degree, that he resolved to re-purchase him at any price. This he effected on more reasonable terms than he hoped, for the poor fellow's dejection of spirits was such, that it undermined his health,

and rendered him so weak,