3o6 NARRATIVE OF AN 



CHAP. Here Joanna introduced me to a venerable old flavcy 

 ^ ^ her grandfather, who made me a prefent of half a dozen 

 fowls. He was grey-headed and blind, but had been com- 

 fortably fupported for many years through the kind at- 

 tention of his numerous offspring. He told me he was 

 born in Africa, where he had once been more refpe6led 

 than any of his Surinam matters ever were in their 

 country. 



It will no doubt appear furprifing to many of my 

 readers to find me mention this female flave fo often, and 

 with fo much refpe6l; but I cannot fpeak with indif- 

 ference of an obje(Sl fo deferving of attention, and whofe 

 affe(5lionate attachment alone counter-balanced all my 

 other misfortunes. Her virtue, youth, and beauty gain- 

 ed more and more my efteem ; while the lownefs of her 

 birth and condition, inftead of diminifliing, ferved to 

 increafe my affe6tion.— What can I fay farther upon this 

 fubjedl } — Nothing ; but content myfelf with the confo- 

 lation given by Horace to Phocius, the Roman foldier : 



" Ne fit ancillse tibi amor pudori, &C.'*;' 



' . " Let not my Phocius think it fhamc 



" For a fair flave to own his flame j 

 " A flave could fl:ern Achilles move,: 



And bend his haughty foul to love 



Ajax, invincible in arms, 

 " Was captiv'd by his captive's charms, 



" Atridcs 



