353 



platlon of the fcene before me, until the com- 

 forts and advantages had nearly concealed 

 from my mind the bitter ills of flavery. But 

 bufy recolle&ion brought to my remembrance 

 that every flave had not Governor Van Batten- 

 burg for a mafter, nor Madame Van Batten- 

 burg, for a friend ! for fuch fhe truly 



is to thofe who ferve her in bondage. 



Until now I had only feen the flaves 

 perform the rude African dance upon the open 

 green, and had not imagined them capable of 

 moving with fuch order as they here ex- 

 hibited in regular country dances.— Even 

 minuets, to our furprize, were led down, 

 in precife and (lately ftep, and with a de- 

 gree of eafe and gracefulnefs of movement 

 which is feldom witnefled among the common 

 people of England. Mirth and gaiety fpark- 

 led in every eye, and animated every counte- 

 nance. It was pleafure unalloyed, and, yield- 

 ing to the glowing impulfe of nature, each 

 gladdened foul drank in full draughts at the 

 pureft fountain of enjoyment. They were in-* 

 deed happy — happy flaves ! 



In the courfe of the evening a circum- 



VOL. U. A, A 



