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have become small farmers, chiefly on the tobacco lands.
Tobacco is a paying crop.
These coloured people send their boys to school.
Mulattoes have taken honours in American Universities and entered into liberal professions with a prospect of success.
All these things count for good.
It is a happy sign that such careers are open.
When last in Richmond, I remember the surprise expressed in a drawing-room on my remark that on the day of my own call to the bar a Negro from Jamaica was also called.
“You admit a Negro into the Society of the Inner Temple!”
cried a lady of the First Families.
“Yes, and by the accident of keeping terms, this Negro stood at the head of our list and answered for us when the benchers drank our healths.”
“But were you not ashamed?”
“Ashamed of what?
This Negro was an excellent scholar and a polished gentleman.
He made a speech of which the cleverest fellow in our company might have felt proud.”
“Still, he was a Negro!
”
“Yes, madam; one knew that as the lady said she knew Greek-by sight; but, though we are ”
1875.
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