16

1060

READER RESPONSES, 1881-93

He was nervous, but natural in the recital of the wrongs which he had himself
experienced, and the effect on the audience was strong and genuine. The principal
effect, however, was produced by Garrison, who, worked up to fever point by the
truthful narration of this living and experimental witness of the horrors of Slavery,
poured forth so grand an oration, that he appears to have transformed the thousand auditors of his voice into so many personifications of himself. "The orator
swaying a thousand heads and hearts at once, and by the simple majesty of his
all-controlling thought, converted his hearers into the express image of his own
soul."

DOUGLASS EXCHANGES THE SAW FOR THE PEN.

After the Convention of 1841, Douglass gave up manual labour, and took up the
pen. He joined the Anti-Slavery cause, and devoted himself with all the energy of
his strong nature to the task of setting free his fellow bondsmen. His power of speaking and writing was extraordinary, but this is now well known and admitted; though.
At first, men would not believe that a half-educated slave could write such stirring
leaders in the Abolitionist journals.

His life as a free-man, toiling for those he had lcft behind him in the house of
bondage, is comprised in the second part of the interesting volume now before us.
The history of his life after 1841, belongs to the history of the Anti-Slavery cause in
America, until the accursed tree of Slavery was felled -- and it has often been told in
our pages. We must pass over this portion of our hero's life in a very few lines.
Though we trust that enough has been said to show our readers that a treat is in store
for them in the perusal of this unpretending, but fascinating book. The life of an
earnest, strong, God-fearing Christian man is laid open bcfore us in his own simple
and touching words; and we venture to think that none can rise from the perusal of
this history of a brave and honest worker in the cause of freedom, without feeling
strengthened and encouraged in the great fight against evil, which all have to wage
in some way or other.

DOUGLASS MEETS CLARKSON.

In 1845, Douglass visited England, and was heartily welcomed by Abolitionists
there. He saw many great men of that day, but we can only record his meeting with
Thomas Clarkson.

"When we were presented to [ 188.18 - 28 J the edge of the grave."

DOUGLASS' VIEWS ON THE COLOURED VOTE AND TIIE FUTURE OF THE RACE.

"And now, while I am [298.26 -39] master-class to the new situation."
Space precludes our dwelling at length upon any of the great questions treated
of in Mr. Douglass' most instructive volume. We must refer our readers to the book
itself for a description of his editorial career, his visits to England, his connection
with the brave, but rash and unfortunate John Brown, which indeed, necessitated the
flight of Douglass, first to Canada and then to England.

The great secession war, and the ultimate freedom of the Slaves are well