IfthevolumenowpresentedtothepublicwereamereworkofART，thehistoryofitsmisfortunemightbewrittenintwoverysimplewords——TOOLATE。Thenatureandcharacterofslaveryhavebeensubjectsofanalmostendlessvarietyofartisticrepresentation；andafterthebrilliantachievementsinthatfield，andwhilethoseachievementsareyetfreshinthememoryofthemillion，hewhowouldaddanothertothelegion，mustpossessthecharmoftranscendentexcellence，orapologizeforsomethingworsethanrashness。Thereaderis，therefore，assured，withallduepromptitude，thathisattentionisnotinvitedtoaworkofART，buttoaworkofFACTS——Facts，terribleandalmostincredible，itmaybeyetFACTS，nevertheless。
Iamauthorizedtosaythatthereisnotafictitiousnamenorplaceinthewholevolume；butthatnamesandplacesareliterallygiven，andthateverytransactionthereindescribedactuallytranspired。
PerhapsthebestPrefacetothisvolumeisfurnishedinthefollowingletterofMr。Douglass，writteninanswertomyurgentsolicitationforsuchawork:
ROCHESTER，N。Y。July2，1855。
DEARFRIEND:Ihavelongentertained，asyouverywellknow，asomewhatpositiverepugnancetowritingorspeakinganythingforthepublic，whichcould，withanydegreeofplausibilty，makemeliabletotheimputationofseekingpersonalnotoriety，foritsownsake。Entertainingthatfeelingverysincerely，andpermittingitscontrol，perhaps，quiteunreasonably，Ihaveoftenrefusedtonarratemypersonalexperienceinpublicanti-
slaverymeetings，andinsympathizingcircles，whenurgedtodosobyfriends，withwhoseviewsandwishes，ordinarily，itwereapleasuretocomply。Inmylettersandspeeches，IhavegenerallyaimedtodiscussthequestionofSlaveryinthelightoffundamentalprinciples，anduponfacts，notoriousandopentoall；making，Itrust，nomoreofthefactofmyownformerenslavement，thancircumstancesseemedabsolutelytorequire。I
haveneverplacedmyoppositiontoslaveryonabasissonarrowasmyownenslavement，butratherupontheindestructibleandunchangeablelawsofhumannature，everyoneofwhichisperpetuallyandflagrantlyviolatedbytheslavesystem。Ihavealsofeltthatitwasbestforthosehavinghistoriesworththewriting——orsupposedtobeso——tocommitsuchworktohandsotherthantheirown。Towriteofone\'sself，insuchamannerasnottoincurtheimputationofweakness，vanity，andegotism，isaworkwithintheabilityofbutfew；andIhavelittlereasontobelievethatIbelongtothatfortunatefew。
Theseconsiderationscausedmetohesitate，whenfirstyoukindlyurgedmetoprepareforpublicationafullaccountofmylifeasaslave，andmylifeasafreeman。
Nevertheless，Isee，withyou，manyreasonsforregardingmyautobiographyasexceptionalinitscharacter，andasbeing，insomesense，naturallybeyondthereachofthosereproacheswhichhonorableandsensitivemindsdisliketoincur。Itisnottoillustrateanyheroicachievementsofaman，buttovindicateajustandbeneficentprinciple，initsapplicationtothewholehumanfamily，bylettinginthelightoftruthuponasystem，esteemedbysomeasablessing，andbyothersasacurseandacrime。Iagreewithyou，thatthissystemisnowatthebarofpublicopinion——notonlyofthiscountry，butofthewholecivilizedworld——forjudgment。Itsfriendshavemadeforittheusualplea——“notguilty；“thecasemust，therefore，proceed。Anyfacts，eitherfromslaves，slaveholders，orby-standers，calculatedtoenlightenthepublicmind，byrevealingthetruenature，character，andtendencyoftheslavesystem，areinorder，andcanscarcelybeinnocentlywithheld。
Isee，too，thattherearespecialreasonswhyIshouldwritemyownbiography，inpreferencetoemployinganothertodoit。Notonlyisslaveryontrial，butunfortunately，theenslavedpeoplearealsoontrial。Itisalleged，thattheyare，naturally，inferior；thattheyare_solow_inthescaleofhumanity，andsoutterlystupid，thattheyareunconsciousoftheirwrongs，anddonotapprehendtheirrights。Looking，then，atyourrequest，fromthisstand-point，andwishingeverythingofwhichyouthinkmecapabletogotothebenefitofmyafflictedpeople，Ipartwithmydoubtsandhesitation，andproceedtofurnishyouthedesiredmanuscript；hopingthatyoumaybeabletomakesucharrangementsforitspublicationasshallbebestadaptedtoaccomplishthatgoodwhichyousoenthusiasticallyanticipate。
FREDERICKDOUGLASS
TherewaslittlenecessityfordoubtandhesitationonthepartofMr。Douglass，astotheproprietyofhisgivingtotheworldafullaccountofhimself。Amanwhowasbornandbroughtupinslavery，alivingwitnessofitshorrors；whooftenhimselfexperienceditscruelties；andwho，despitethedepressinginfluencessurroundinghisbirth，youthandmanhood，hasrisen，fromadarkandalmostabsoluteobscurity，tothedistinguishedpositionwhichhenowoccupies，mightverywellassumetheexistenceofacommendablecuriosity，onthepartofthepublic，toknowthefactsofhisremarkablehistory。
EDITOR
INTRODUCTION
Whenamanraiseshimselffromthelowestconditioninsocietytothehighest，mankindpayhimthetributeoftheiradmiration；
whenheaccomplishesthiselevationbynativeenergy，guidedbyprudenceandwisdom，theiradmirationisincreased；butwhenhiscourse，onwardandupward，excellentinitself，furthermoreprovesapossible，whathadhithertobeenregardedasanimpossible，reform，thenhebecomesaburningandashininglight，onwhichtheagedmaylookwithgladness，theyoungwithhope，andthedown-trodden，asarepresentativeofwhattheymaythemselvesbecome。Tosuchaman，dearreader，itismyprivilegetointroduceyou。
ThelifeofFrederickDouglass，recordedinthepageswhichfollow，isnotmerelyanexampleofself-elevationunderthemostadversecircumstances；itis，moreover，anoblevindicationofthehighestaimsoftheAmericananti-slaverymovement。Therealobjectofthatmovementisnotonlytodisenthrall，itis，also，tobestowupontheNegrotheexerciseofallthoserights，fromthepossessionofwhichhehasbeensolongdebarred。
Butthisfullrecognitionofthecoloredmantotheright，andtheentireadmissionofthesametothefullprivileges，political，religiousandsocial，ofmanhood，requirespowerfuleffortonthepartoftheenthralled，aswellasonthepartofthosewhowoulddisenthrallthem。Thepeopleatlargemustfeeltheconviction，aswellasadmittheabstractlogic，ofhumanequality；theNegro，forthefirsttimeintheworld\'shistory，broughtinfullcontactwithhighcivilization，mustprovehistitlefirsttoallthatisdemandedforhim；intheteethofunequalchances，hemustprovehimselfequaltothemassofthosewhooppresshim——therefore，absolutelysuperiortohisapparentfate，andtotheirrelativeability。Anditismostcheeringtothefriendsoffreedom，today，thatevidenceofthisequalityisrapidlyaccumulating，notfromtheranksofthehalf-
freedcoloredpeopleofthefreestates，butfromtheverydepthsofslaveryitself；theindestructibleequalityofmantomanisdemonstratedbytheeasewithwhichblackmen，scarceoneremovefrombarbarism——ifslaverycanbehonoredwithsuchadistinction——vaultintothehighplacesofthemostadvancedandpainfullyacquiredcivilization。WardandGarnett，WellsBrownandPennington，LoguenandDouglass，arebannersontheouterwall，underwhichabolitionisfightingitsmostsuccessfulbattles，becausetheyarelivingexemplarsofthepracticabilityofthemostradicalabolitionism；for，theywereallofthemborntothedoomofslavery，someofthemremainedslavesuntiladultage，yettheyallhavenotonlywonequalitytotheirwhitefellowcitizens，incivil，religious，politicalandsocialrank，buttheyhavealsoillustratedandadornedourcommoncountrybytheirgenius，learningandeloquence。
ThecharacteristicswherebyMr。Douglasshaswonfirstrankamongtheseremarkablemen，andisstillrisingtowardhighestrankamonglivingAmericans，areabundantlylaidbareinthebookbeforeus。LiketheautobiographyofHughMiller，itcarriesussofarbackintoearlychildhood，astothrowlightuponthequestion，“whenpositiveandpersistentmemorybeginsinthehumanbeing。“And，likeHughMiller，hemusthavebeenashyold-fashionedchild，occasionallyoppressedbywhathecouldnotwellaccountfor，peeringandpokingaboutamongthelayersofrightandwrong，oftyrantandthrall，andthewonderfulnessofthathopelesstideofthingswhichbroughtpowertoonerace，andunrequitedtoiltoanother，until，finally，hestumbleduponhis“first-foundAmmonite，“hiddenawaydowninthedepthsofhisownnature，andwhichrevealedtohimthefactthatlibertyandright，forallmen，wereanteriortoslaveryandwrong。WhenhisknowledgeoftheworldwasboundedbythevisiblehorizononCol。Lloyd\'splantation，andwhileeverythingaroundhimboreafixed，ironstamp，asifithadalwaysbeenso，thiswas，foronesoyoung，anotablediscovery。
Tohisuncommonmemory，then，wemustaddakeenandaccurateinsightintomenandthings；anoriginalbreadthofcommonsensewhichenabledhimtosee，andweigh，andcomparewhateverpassedbeforehim，andwhichkindledadesiretosearchoutanddefinetheirrelationstootherthingsnotsopatent，butwhichneversuccumbedtothemarvelousnorthesupernatural；asacredthirstforlibertyandforlearning，firstasameansofattainingliberty，thenasanendinitselfmostdesirable；awill；anunfalteringenergyanddeterminationtoobtainwhathissoulpronounceddesirable；amajesticself-hood；determinedcourage；adeepandagonizingsympathywithhisembruted，crushedandbleedingfellowslaves，andanextraordinarydepthofpassion，togetherwiththatrarealliancebetweenpassionandintellect，whichenablestheformer，whendeeplyroused，toexcite，developandsustainthelatter。
Withtheseoriginalgiftsinview，letuslookathisschooling；
thefearfuldisciplinethroughwhichitpleasedGodtopreparehimforthehighcallingonwhichhehassinceentered——theadvocacyofemancipationbythepeoplewhoarenotslaves。Andforthisspecialmission，hisplantationeducationwasbetterthananyhecouldhaveacquiredinanyletteredschool。Whatheneeded，wasfactsandexperiences，weldedtoacutelywroughtupsympathies，andthesehecouldnotelsewherehaveobtained，inamannersopeculiarlyadaptedtohisnature。Hisphysicalbeingwaswelltrained，also，runningwilduntiladvancedintoboyhood；
hardworkandlightdiet，thereafter，andaskillinhandicraftinyouth。
Forhisspecialmission，then，thiswas，consideredinconnectionwithhisnaturalgifts，agoodschooling；and，forhisspecialmission，hedoubtless“leftschool“justatthepropermoment。
Hadheremainedlongerinslavery——hadhefrettedunderbondsuntiltheripeningofmanhoodanditspassions，untilthedrearagonyofslave-wifeandslave-childrenhadbeenpileduponhisalreadybitterexperiences——then，notonlywouldhisownhistoryhavehadanothertermination，butthedramaofAmericanslaverywouldhavebeenessentiallyvaried；forIcannotresistthebelief，thattheboywholearnedtoreadandwriteashedid，whotaughthisfellowslavesthesepreciousacquirementsashedid，whoplottedfortheirmutualescapeashedid，would，whenamanatbay，strikeablowwhichwouldmakeslaveryreelandstagger。
Furthermore，blowsandinsultshebore，atthemoment，withoutresentment；deepbutsuppressedemotionrenderedhiminsensibletotheirsting；butitwasafterward，whenthememoryofthemwentseethingthroughhisbrain，breedingafieryindignationathisinjuredself-hood，thattheresolvecametoresist，andthetimefixedwhentoresist，andtheplotlaid，howtoresist；andhealwayskepthisself-pledgedword。Inwhatheundertook，inthisline，helookedfateintheface，andhadacool，keenlookattherelationofmeanstoends。HenryBibb，toavoidchastisement，strewedhismaster\'sbedwithcharmedleavesand_waswhipped_。FrederickDouglassquietlypocketedalike_fetiche_，comparedhismuscleswiththoseofCovey——and_whippedhim_。
Inthehistoryofhislifeinbondage，wefind，welldeveloped，thatinherentandcontinuousenergyofcharacterwhichwilleverrenderhimdistinguished。Whathishandfoundtodo，hedidwithhismight；evenwhileconsciousthathewaswrongedoutofhisdailyearnings，heworked，andworkedhard。Athisdailylaborhewentwithawill；withkeen，wellseteye，brawnychest，lithefigure，andfairsweepofarm，hewouldhavebeenkingamongcalkers，hadthatbeenhismission。
Itmustnotbeoverlooked，inthisglanceathiseducation，thatMr。Douglasslackedoneaidtowhichsomanymenofmarkhavebeendeeplyindebted——hehadneitheramother\'scare，noramother\'sculture，savethatwhichslaverygrudginglymetedouttohim。Bitternurse！maynotevenherfeaturesrelaxwithhumanfeeling，whenshegazesatsuchoffspring！Howsusceptiblehewastothekindlyinfluencesofmother-culture，maybegatheredfromhisownwords，onpage57:“Ithasbeenalife-longstandinggrieftome，thatIknowsolittleofmymother，andthatIwassoearlyseparatedfromher。Thecounselsofherlovemusthavebeenbeneficialtome。Thesideviewofherfaceisimagedonmymemory，andItakefewstepsinlife，withoutfeelingherpresence；buttheimageismute，andIhavenostrikingwordsofherstreasuredup。“
FromthedepthsofchattelslaveryinMaryland，ourauthorescapedintothecaste-slaveryofthenorth，inNewBedford，Massachusetts。Herehefoundoppressionassuminganother，andhardlylessbitter，form；ofthatveryhandicraftwhichthegreedofslaveryhadtaughthim，hishalf-freedomdeniedhimtheexerciseforanhonestliving；hefoundhimselfoneofaclass——
freecoloredmen——whosepositionhehasdescribedinthefollowingwords:
“Aliensareweinournativeland。Thefundamentalprinciplesoftherepublic，towhichthehumblestwhiteman，whetherbornhereorelsewhere，mayappealwithconfidence，inthehopeofawakeningafavorableresponse，areheldtobeinapplicabletous。Thegloriousdoctrinesofyourrevolutionaryfathers，andthemoregloriousteachingsoftheSonofGod，areconstruedandappliedagainstus。Weareliterallyscourgedbeyondthebeneficentrangeofbothauthorities，humananddivine。****
Americanhumanityhatesus，scornsus，disownsanddenies，inathousandways，ourverypersonality。TheoutspreadwingofAmericanchristianity，apparentlybroadenoughtogivesheltertoaperishingworld，refusestocoverus。Tous，itsbonesarebrass，anditsfeaturesiron。Inrunningthitherforshelterandsuccor，wehaveonlyfledfromthehungryblood-houndtothedevouringwolf——fromacorruptandselfishworld，toahollowandhypocriticalchurch。“——_SpeechbeforeAmericanandForeignAnti-
SlaverySociety，May_，1854。
Fouryearsormore，from1837to1841，hestruggledon，inNewBedford，sawingwood，rollingcasks，ordoingwhatlaborhemight，tosupporthimselfandyoungfamily；fouryearshebroodedoverthescarswhichslaveryandsemi-slaveryhadinflicteduponhisbodyandsoul；andthen，withhiswoundsyetunhealed，hefellamongtheGarrisonians——agloriouswaiftothosemostardentreformers。Ithappenedoneday，atNantucket，thathe，diffidentlyandreluctantly，wasledtoaddressananti-slaverymeeting。HewasabouttheagewhentheyoungerPittenteredtheHouseofCommons；likePitt，too，hestoodupabornorator。
WilliamLloydGarrison，whowashappilypresent，writesthusofMr。Douglass\'maideneffort；“Ishallneverforgethisfirstspeechattheconvention——theextraordinaryemotionitexcitedinmyownmind——thepowerfulimpressionitcreateduponacrowdedauditory，completelytakenbysurprise。***IthinkIneverhatedslaverysointenselyasatthatmoment；certainly，myperceptionoftheenormousoutragewhichisinflictedbyitonthegodlikenatureofitsvictims，wasrenderedfarmoreclearthanever。Therestoodoneinphysicalproportionsandstaturecommandingandexact——inintellectrichlyendowed——innaturaleloquenceaprodigy。“[1]
ItisofinteresttocompareMr。Douglass\'saccountofthismeetingwithMr。Garrison\'s。Ofthetwo，Ithinkthelatterthemostcorrect。Itmusthavebeenagrandburstofeloquence！Thepentupagony，indignationandpathosofanabusedandharrowedboyhoodandyouth，burstingoutinalltheirfreshnessandoverwhelmingearnestness！
Thisuniqueintroductiontoitsgreatleader，ledimmediately[1]Letter，Introductionto_LifeofFrederickDouglass_，Boston，1841。
totheemploymentofMr。DouglassasanagentbytheAmericanAnti-SlaverySociety。Sofarashisself-relyingandindependentcharacterwouldpermit，hebecame，afterthestrictestsect，aGarrisonian。Itisnottoomuchtosay，thatheformedacomplementwhichtheyneeded，andtheywereacomplementequallynecessarytohis“make-up。“Withhisdeepandkeensensitivenesstowrong，andhiswonderfulmemory，hecamefromthelandofbondagefullofitswoesanditsevils，andpaintingthemincharactersoflivinglight；and，onhispart，hefound，toldoutinsoundSaxonphrase，allthoseprinciplesofjusticeandrightandliberty，whichhaddimlybroodedoverthedreamsofhisyouth，seekingdefiniteformsandverbalexpression。Itmusthavebeenanelectricflashingofthought，andaknittingofsoul，grantedtobutfewinthislife，andwillbealife-longmemorytothosewhoparticipatedinit。Inthesociety，moreover，ofWendellPhillips，EdmundQuincy，WilliamLloydGarrison，andothermenofearnestfaithandrefinedculture，Mr。
Douglassenjoyedthehighadvantageoftheirassistanceandcounselinthelaborofself-culture，towhichhenowaddressedhimselfwithwontedenergy。Yet，thesegentlemen，althoughproudofFrederickDouglass，failedtofathom，andbringouttothelightofday，thehighestqualitiesofhismind；theforceoftheirowneducationstoodintheirownway:theydidnotdelveintothemindofacoloredmanforcapacitieswhichtheprideofraceledthemtobelievetoberestrictedtotheirownSaxonblood。Bitterandvindictivesarcasm，irresistiblemimicry，andapatheticnarrativeofhisownexperiencesofslavery，weretheintellectualmanifestationswhichtheyencouragedhimtoexhibitontheplatformorinthelecturedesk。
AvisittoEngland，in1845，threwMr。Douglassamongmenandwomenofearnestsoulsandhighculture，andwho，moreover，hadneverdrankofthebitterwatersofAmericancaste。Forthefirsttimeinhislife，hebreathedanatmospherecongenialtothelongingsofhisspirit，andfelthismanhoodfreeandunrestricted。ThecordialandmanlygreetingsoftheBritishandIrishaudiencesinpublic，andtherefinementandeleganceofthesocialcirclesinwhichhemingled，notonlyasanequal，butasarecognizedmanofgenius，were，doubtless，genialandpleasantrestingplacesinhishithertothornyandtroubledjourneythroughlife。Therearejoysontheearth，and，tothewayfaringfugitivefromAmericanslaveryorAmericancaste，thisisoneofthem。
ButhissojourninEnglandwasmorethanajoytoMr。Douglass。
LiketheplatformatNantucket，itawakenedhimtotheconsciousnessofnewpowersthatlayinhim。FromthepupilageofGarrisonismherosetothedignityofateacherandathinker；
hisopinionsonthebroaderaspectsofthegreatAmericanquestionwereearnestlyandincessantlysought，fromvariouspointsofview，andhemust，perforce，bestirhimselftogivesuitableanswer。Withthatpromptandtruthfulperceptionwhichhasledtheirsistersinallagesoftheworldtogatheratthefeetandsupportthehandsofreformers，thegentlewomenofEngland[2]wereforemosttoencourageandstrengthenhimtocarveoutforhimselfapathfittedtohispowersandenergies，inthelife-battleagainstslaveryandcastetowhichhewaspledged。
Andonestirringthought，inseparablefromtheBritishideaoftheevangeloffreedom，musthavesmotehisearfromeveryside——
_Hereditarybondmen！knowyenotWhowouldbefree，themselvesmaststriketheblow？_
Theresultofthisvisitwas，thatonhisreturntotheUnitedStates，heestablishedanewspaper。ThisproceedingwassorelyagainstthewishesandtheadviceoftheleadersoftheAmericanAnti-SlaverySociety，butourauthorhadfullygrownuptotheconvictionofatruthwhichtheyhadoncepromulged，butnow[2]Oneoftheseladies，impelledbythesamenoblespiritwhichcarriedMissNightingaletoScutari，hasdevotedhertime，heruntiringenergies，toagreatextenthermeans，andherhighliteraryabilities，totheadvancementandsupportofFrederickDouglass\'Paper，theonlyorganofthedowntrodden，editedandpublishedbyoneofthemselves，intheUnitedStates。
forgotten，towit:thatintheirownelevation——self-
elevation——coloredmenhaveablowtostrike“ontheirownhook，“
againstslaveryandcaste。DifferingfromhisBostonfriendsinthismatter，diffidentinhisownabilities，reluctantattheirdissuadings，howbeautifulistheloyaltywithwhichhestillclungtotheirprinciplesinallthingselse，andeveninthis。
Nowcamethetrialhour。WithoutcordialsupportfromanylargebodyofmenorpartyonthissidetheAtlantic，andtoofardistantinspaceandimmediateinteresttoexpectmuchmore，afterthemuchalreadydone，ontheotherside，hestoodup，almostalone，tothearduouslaborandheavyexpenditureofeditorandlecturer。TheGarrisonparty，towhichhestilladhered，didnotwanta_colored_newspaper——therewasanodorof_caste_aboutit；theLibertypartycouldhardlybeexpectedtogivewarmsupporttoamanwhosmotetheirprinciplesaswithahammer；andthewidegulfwhichseparatedthefreecoloredpeoplefromtheGarrisonians，alsoseparatedthemfromtheirbrother，FrederickDouglass。
Thearduousnatureofhislabors，fromthedateoftheestablishmentofhispaper，maybeestimatedbythefact，thatanti-slaverypapersintheUnitedStates，evenwhileorgansof，andwhensupportedby，anti-slaveryparties，have，withasingleexception，failedtopayexpenses。Mr。Douglasshasmaintained，anddoesmaintain，hispaperwithoutthesupportofanyparty，andevenintheteethoftheoppositionofthosefromwhomhehadreasontoexpectcounselandencouragement。Hehasbeencompelled，atoneandthesametime，andalmostconstantly，duringthepastsevenyears，tocontributemattertoitscolumnsaseditor，andtoraisefundsforitssupportaslecturer。Itiswithinboundstosay，thathehasexpendedtwelvethousanddollarsofhisownhardearnedmoney，inpublishingthispaper，alargersumthanhasbeencontributedbyanyoneindividualforthegeneraladvancementofthecoloredpeople。Therehadbeenmanyotherpaperspublishedandeditedbycoloredmen，beginningasfarbackas1827，whentheRev。SamuelE。CornishandJohnB。RusswormagraduateofBowdoincollege，andafterwardGovernorofCapePalmaspublishedthe_Freedom\'sJournal_，inNewYorkCity；probablynotlessthanonehundrednewspaperenterpriseshavebeenstartedintheUnitedStates，byfreecoloredmen，bornfree，andsomeofthemofliberaleducationandfairtalentsforthiswork；but，oneafteranother，theyhavefallenthrough，although，inseveralinstances，anti-slaveryfriendscontributedtotheirsupport。[3]Ithadalmostbeengivenup，asanimpracticablething，tomaintainacolorednewspaper，whenMr。Douglass，withfewestearlyadvantagesofallhiscompetitors，essayed，andhasprovedthethingperfectlypracticable，and，moreover，ofgreatpublicbenefit。Thispaper，inadditiontoitspowerinholdingupthehandsofthosetowhomitisespeciallydevoted，alsoaffordsirrefutableevidenceofthejustice，safetyandpracticabilityofImmediateEmancipation；
itfurtherprovestheimmenselosswhichslaveryinflictsonthelandwhileitdoomssuchenergiesashistothehereditarydegradationofslavery。
IthasbeensaidinthisIntroduction，thatMr。Douglasshadraisedhimselfbyhisowneffortstothehighestpositioninsociety。Asasuccessfuleditor，inourland，heoccupiesthisposition。Oureditorsruletheland，andheisoneofthem。Asanoratorandthinker，hispositionisequallyhigh，intheopinionofhiscountrymen。IfastrangerintheUnitedStateswouldseekitsmostdistinguishedmen——themoversofpublicopinion——hewillfindtheirnamesmentioned，andtheirmovementschronicled，undertheheadof“BYMAGNETICTELEGRAPH，inthedailypapers。Thekeencaterersforthepublicattention，setdown，inthiscolumn，suchmenonlyashavewonhighmarkinthepublicesteem。Duringthepastwinter——1854-5——veryfrequentmentionofFrederickDouglasswasmadeunderthisheadinthedailypapers；hisnameglidedasoften——thisweekfromChicago，next[3]Mr。StephenMyers，ofAlbany，deservesmentionasoneofthemostperseveringamongthecolorededitorialfraternity。
weekfromBoston——overthelightningwires，asthenameofanyotherman，ofwhatevernote。Tonomandidthepeoplemorewidelynormoreearnestlysay，_“Tellmethythought！“_And，somehoworother，revolutionseemedtofollowinhiswake。HiswerenotthemerewordsofeloquencewhichKossuthspeaksof，thatdelighttheearandthenpassaway。No！Theywere_work_-
able，_do_-ablewords，thatbroughtforthfruitsintherevolutioninIllinois，andinthepassageofthefranchiseresolutionsbytheAssemblyofNewYork。
Andthesecretofhispower，whatisit？HeisaRepresentativeAmericanman——atypeofhiscountrymen。Naturaliststellusthatafullgrownmanisaresultantorrepresentativeofallanimatednatureonthisglobe；beginningwiththeearlyembryostate，thenrepresentingthelowestformsoforganiclife，[4]andpassingthrougheverysubordinategradeortype，untilhereachesthelastandhighest——manhood。Inlikemanner，andtothefullestextent，hasFrederickDouglasspassedthrougheverygradationofrankcomprisedinournationalmake-up，andbearsuponhispersonanduponhissouleverythingthatisAmerican。AndhehasnotonlyfullsympathywitheverythingAmerican；hisproclivityorbent，toactivetoilandvisibleprogress，areinthestrictlynationaldirection，delightingtooutstrip“allcreation。“
Norhavethenaturalgifts，alreadynamedashis，lostanythingbyhisseveretraining。Whenunexcited，hismentalprocessesareprobablyslow，butsingularlyclearinperception，andwideinvision，theunfailingmemorybringingupallthefactsintheireveryaspect；incongruitieshelaysholdofincontinently，andholdsupontheedgeofhiskeenandtellingwit。Butthiswitneverdescendstofrivolity；itisrigidlyinthekeepingofhistruthfulcommonsense，andalwaysusedinillustrationorproofofsomepointwhichcouldnotsoreadilybereachedanyotherway。“BewareofaYankeewhenheisfeeding，“isashaftthatstrikeshome[4]TheGermanphysiologistshaveevendiscoveredvegetablematter——starch——inthehumanbody。See_Med。ChirurgicalRev_。，Oct。，1854，p。339。
inamatterneversolaidbarebysatirebefore。“TheGarrisonianviewsofdisunion，ifcarriedtoasuccessfulissue，wouldonlyplacethepeopleofthenorthinthesamerelationtoAmericanslaverywhichtheynowbeartotheslaveryofCubaortheBrazils，“isastatement，inafewwords，whichcontainstheresultandtheevidenceofanargumentwhichmightcoverpages，butcouldnotcarrystrongerconviction，norbestatedinlesspregnableform。Inproofofthis，Imaysay，thathavingbeensubmittedtotheattentionoftheGarrisoniansinprint，inMarch，itwasrepeatedbeforethemattheirbusinessmeetinginMay——theplatform，_parexcellence_，onwhichtheyinvitefreefight，_al\'outrance_，toallcomers。Itwasgivenoutintheclear，ringingtones，wherewiththehallofshieldswaswonttoresoundofold，yetneitherGarrison，norPhillips，norMay，norRemond，norFoster，norBurleigh，withhissubtlesteelof“theicebrook\'stemper，“venturedtobreakalanceuponit！ThedoctrineofthedissolutionoftheUnion，asameansfortheabolitionofAmericanslavery，wassilenceduponthelipsthatgaveitbirth，andinthepresenceofanarrayofdefenderswhocomposethekeenestintellectsintheland。
_“Themanwhoisrightisamajority“_isanaphorismstruckoutbyMr。Douglassinthatgreatgatheringofthefriendsoffreedom，atPittsburgh，in1852，wherehetoweredamongthehighest，because，withabilitiesinferiortonone，andmovedmoredeeplythanany，therewasneitherpolicynorpartytotrammeltheoutpouringsofhissoul。Thuswefind，opposedtoalldisadvantageswhichablackmanintheUnitedStateslaborsandstrugglesunder，isthisonevantageground——whenthechancecomes，andtheaudiencewherehemayhaveasay，hestandsforththefreest，mostdeeplymovedandmostearnestofallmen。
IthasbeensaidofMr。Douglass，thathisdescriptiveanddeclamatorypowers，admittedtobeoftheveryhighestorder，takeprecedenceofhislogicalforce。Whilsttheschoolsmighthavetrainedhimtotheexhibitionoftheformulasofdeductivelogic，natureandcircumstancesforcedhimintotheexerciseofthehigherfacultiesrequiredbyinduction。Thefirstninetypagesofthis“LifeinBondage，“affordspecimensofobserving，comparing，andcarefulclassifying，ofsuchsuperiorcharacter，thatitisdifficulttobelievethemtheresultsofachild\'sthinking；hequestionstheearth，andthechildrenandtheslavesaroundhimagainandagain，andfinallylooksto_“Godinthesky“_forthewhyandthewhereforeoftheunnaturalthing，slavery。_“Yes，ifindeedthouart，whereforedostthousufferustobeslain？“_istheonlyprayerandworshipoftheGod-
forsakenDodosintheheartofAfrica。Almostthesamewashisprayer。Oneofhisearliestobservationswasthatwhitechildrenshouldknowtheirages，whilethecoloredchildrenwereignorantoftheirs；andthesongsoftheslavesgratedonhisinmostsoul，becauseasomethingtoldhimthatharmonyinsound，andmusicofthespirit，couldnotconsociatewithmiserabledegradation。
Tosuchamind，theordinaryprocessesoflogicaldeductionarelikeprovingthattwoandtwomakefour。Masteringtheintermediatestepsbyanintuitiveglance，orrecurringtothemasFergusonresortedtogeometry，itgoesdowntothedeeperrelationofthings，andbringsoutwhatmayseem，tosome，merestatements，butwhicharenewandbrilliantgeneralizations，eachrestingonabroadandstablebasis。Thus，ChiefJusticeMarshallgavehisdecisions，andthentoldBrotherStorytolookuptheauthorities——andtheyneverdifferedfromhim。Thus，also，inhis“LectureontheAnti-SlaveryMovement，“deliveredbeforetheRochesterLadies\'Anti-SlaverySociety，Mr。Douglasspresentsamassofthought，which，withoutanyshowydisplayoflogiconhispart，requiresanexerciseofthereasoningfacultiesofthereadertokeeppacewithhim。Andhis“ClaimsoftheNegroEthnologicallyConsidered，“isfullofnewandfreshthoughtsonthedawningscienceofrace-history。
If，ashasbeenstated，hisintellectionisslow，whenunexcited，itismostpromptandrapidwhenheisthoroughlyaroused。
Memory，logic，wit，sarcasm，invectivepathosandboldimageryofrarestructuralbeauty，wellupasfromacopiousfountain，yeteachinitsproperplace，andcontributingtoformawhole，grandinitself，yetcompleteintheminutestproportions。Itismostdifficulttohedgehiminacorner，forhispositionsaretakensodeliberately，thatitisraretofindapointinthemundefendedaforethought。ProfessorReasontellsmethefollowing:“Onarecentvisitofapublicnature，toPhiladelphia，andinameetingcomposedmostlyofhiscoloredbrethren，Mr。Douglassproposedacomparisonofviewsinthemattersoftherelationsanddutiesof`ourpeople；\'heholdingthatprejudicewastheresultofcondition，andcouldbeconqueredbytheeffortsofthedegradedthemselves。Agentlemanpresent，distinguishedforlogicalacumenandsubtlety，andwhohaddevotednosmallportionofthelasttwenty-fiveyearstothestudyandelucidationofthisveryquestion，heldtheoppositeview，thatprejudiceisinnateandunconquerable。Heterminatedaseriesofwelldove-tailed，SocraticquestionstoMr。Douglass，withthefollowing:`IfthelegislatureatHarrisburghshouldawaken，to-morrowmorning，andfindeachman\'sskinturnedblackandhishairwoolly，whatcouldtheydotoremoveprejudice？\'
`Immediatelypasslawsentitlingblackmentoallcivil，politicalandsocialprivileges，\'wastheinstantreply——andthequestioningceased。“
ThemostremarkablementalphenomenoninMr。Douglass，ishisstyleinwritingandspeaking。InMarch，1855，hedeliveredanaddressintheassemblychamberbeforethemembersofthelegislatureofthestateofNewYork。Aneyewitness[5]
describesthecrowdedandmostintelligentaudience，andtheirraptattentiontothespeaker，asthegrandestsceneheeverwitnessedinthecapitol。Amongthosewhoseeyeswererivetedonthespeakerfulltwohoursandahalf，wereThurlowWeedandLieutenantGovernorRaymond；thelatter，attheconclusionoftheaddress，exclaimedtoafriend，“Iwouldgivetwentythousanddollars，[5]Mr。Wm。H。Topp，ofAlbany。
ifIcoulddeliverthataddressinthatmanner。“Mr。RaymondisafirstclassgraduateofDartmouth，arisingpolitician，rankingforemostinthelegislature；ofcourse，hisidealoforatorymustbeofthemostpolishedandfinisheddescription。
ThestyleofMr。Douglassinwriting，istomeanintellectualpuzzle。Thestrength，affluenceandtersenessmayeasilybeaccountedfor，becausethestyleofamanistheman；buthowarewetoaccountforthatrarepolishinhisstyleofwriting，which，mostcriticallyexamined，seemstheresultofcarefulearlycultureamongthebestclassicsofourlanguage；itequalsifitdoesnotsurpassthestyleofHughMiller，whichwasthewonderoftheBritishliterarypublic，untilheunraveledthemysteryinthemostinterestingofautobiographies。ButFrederickDouglasswasstillcalkingtheseamsofBaltimoreclippers，andhadonlywrittena“pass，“attheagewhenMiller\'sstylewasalreadyformed。
IaskedWilliamWhipper，ofPennsylvania，thegentlemanalludedtoabove，whetherhethoughtMr。Douglass\'spowerinheritedfromtheNegroid，orfromwhatiscalledtheCaucasiansideofhismakeup？Aftersomereflection，hefranklyanswered，“Imustadmit，althoughsorrytodoso，thattheCaucasianpredominates。“
Atthattime，Ialmostagreedwithhim；but，factsnarratedinthefirstpartofthiswork，throwadifferentlightonthisinterestingquestion。
Weareleftinthedarkastowhowasthepaternalancestorofourauthor；afactwhichgenerallyholdsgoodoftheRomulusesandRemuseswhoaretoinauguratethenewbirthofourrepublic。
IntheabsenceoftestimonyfromtheCaucasianside，wemustseewhatevidenceisgivenontheothersideofthehouse。
“Mygrandmother，thoughadvancedinyears，***wasyetawomanofpowerandspirit。Shewasmarvelouslystraightinfigure，elasticandmuscular。“p。46。
Afterdescribingherskillinconstructingnets，herperseveranceinusingthem，andherwide-spreadfameintheagriculturalwayheadds，“Ithappenedtoher——asitwillhappentoanycarefulandthriftypersonresidinginanignorantandimprovidentneighborhood——toenjoythereputationofbeingborntogoodluck。“Andhisgrandmotherwasablackwoman。
“Mymotherwastall，andfinelyproportioned；ofdeepblack，glossycomplexion；hadregularfeatures；andamongotherslaveswasremarkablysedateinhermanners。““Beingafieldhand，shewasobligedtowalktwelvemilesandreturn，betweennightfallanddaybreak，toseeherchildren“p。54。“IshallneverforgettheindescribableexpressionofhercountenancewhenI
toldherthatIhadhadnofoodsincemorning。***Therewaspityinherglanceatme，andafieryindignationatAuntKatyatthesametime；****shereadAuntKatyalecturewhichsheneverforgot。“p。56。“Ilearnedaftermymother\'sdeath，thatshecouldread，andthatshewasthe_only_oneofalltheslavesandcoloredpeopleinTuckahoewhoenjoyedthatadvantage。
Howsheacquiredthisknowledge，Iknownot，forTuckahoeisthelastplaceintheworldwhereshewouldbeapttofindfacilitiesforlearning。“p。57。“Thereis，in_Prichard\'sNaturalHistoryofMan_，theheadofafigure——onpage157——thefeaturesofwhichsoresemblethoseofmymother，thatIoftenrecurtoitwithsomethingofthefeelingwhichIsupposeothersexperiencewhenlookinguponthepicturesofdeardepartedones。“p。52。
TheheadalludedtoiscopiedfromthestatueofRamsestheGreat，anEgyptiankingofthenineteenthdynasty。Theauthorsofthe_TypesofMankind_giveasideviewofthesameonpage148，remarkingthattheprofile，“likeNapoleon\'s，issuperblyEuropean！“ThenearnessofitsresemblancetoMr。Douglass\'
motherrestsupontheevidenceofhismemory，andjudgingfromhisalmostmarvelousfeatsofrecollectionofformsandoutlinesrecordedinthisbook，thistestimonymaybeadmitted。
Thesefactsshowthatforhisenergy，perseverance，eloquence，invective，sagacity，andwidesympathy，heisindebtedtohisNegroblood。Theverymarvelofhisstylewouldseemtobeadevelopmentofthatothermarvel——howhismotherlearnedtoread。
Theversatilityoftalentwhichhewields，incommonwithDumas，IraAldridge，andMissGreenfield，wouldseemtobetheresultofthegraftingoftheAnglo-Saxonongood，original，Negrostock。Ifthefriendsof“Caucasus“choosetoclaim，forthatregion，whatremainsafterthisanalysis——towit:
combination——theyarewelcometoit。Theywillforgivemeforremindingthemthattheterm“Caucasian“isdroppedbyrecentwritersonEthnology；forthepeopleaboutMountCaucasus，are，andhaveeverbeen，Mongols。Thegreat“whiterace“nowseekpaternity，accordingtoDr。Pickering，inArabia——“AridaNutrix“
ofthebestbreedofhorses&c。Keepon，gentlemen；youwillfindyourselvesinAfrica，by-and-by。TheEgyptians，liketheAmericans，werea_mixedrace_，withsomeNegrobloodcirclingaroundthethrone，aswellasinthemudhovels。
Thisistheproperplacetoremarkofourauthor，thatthesamestrongself-hood，whichledhimtomeasurestrengthwithMr。
Covey，andtowrenchhimselffromtheembraceoftheGarrisonians，andwhichhasbornehimthroughmanyresistancestothepersonalindignitiesofferedhimasacoloredman，sometimesbecomesahyper-sensitivenesstosuchassaultsasmenofhismarkwillmeetwith，onpaper。Keenandunscrupulousopponentshavesought，andnotunsuccessfully，topiercehiminthisdirection；
forwelltheyknow，thatifassailed，hewillsmiteback。
Itisnotwithoutafeelingofpride，dearreader，thatIpresentyouwiththisbook。Thesonofaself-emancipatedbond-woman，I
feeljoyinintroducingtoyoumybrother，whohasrenthisownbonds，andwho，inhiseveryrelation——asapublicman，asahusbandandasafather——issuchasdoeshonortothelandwhichgavehimbirth。Ishallplacethisbookinthehandsoftheonlychildsparedme，biddinghimtostriveandemulateitsnobleexample。Youmaydolikewise。ItisanAmericanbook，forAmericans，inthefullestsenseoftheidea。Itshowsthattheworstofourinstitutions，initsworstaspect，cannotkeepdownenergy，truthfulness，andearneststrugglefortheright。ItprovesthejusticeandpracticabilityofImmediateEmancipation。Itshowsthatanymaninourland，“nomatterinwhatbattlehislibertymayhavebeenclovendown，****nomatterwhatcomplexionanIndianoranAfricansunmayhaveburneduponhim，“notonlymay“standforthredeemedanddisenthralled，“butmayalsostandupacandidateforthehighestsuffrageofagreatpeople——thetributeoftheirhonest，heartyadmiration。Reader，_Vale！
NewYork_JAMESMCCUNESMITH
CHAPTERIChildhoodPLACEOFBIRTH——CHARACTEROFTHEDISTRICT——TUCKAHOE——ORIGINOF
THENAME——CHOPTANKRIVER——TIMEOFBIRTH——GENEALOGICALTREES——MODE
OFCOUNTINGTIME——NAMESOFGRANDPARENTS——THEIRPOSITION——
GRANDMOTHERESPECIALLYESTEEMED——“BORNTOGOODLUCK——SWEET
POTATOES——SUPERSTITION——THELOGCABIN——ITSCHARMS——SEPARATING
CHILDREN——MYAUNTS——THEIRNAMES——FIRSTKNOWLEDGEOFBEINGA
SLAVE——OLDMASTER——GRIEFSANDJOYSOFCHILDHOOD——COMPARATIVE
HAPPINESSOFTHESLAVE-BOYANDTHESONOFASLAVEHOLDER。
InTalbotcounty，EasternShore，Maryland，nearEaston，thecountytownofthatcounty，thereisasmalldistrictofcountry，thinlypopulated，andremarkablefornothingthatIknowofmorethanfortheworn-out，sandy，desert-likeappearanceofitssoil，thegeneraldilapidationofitsfarmsandfences，theindigentandspiritlesscharacterofitsinhabitants，andtheprevalenceofagueandfever。
ThenameofthissingularlyunpromisingandtrulyfaminestrickendistrictisTuckahoe，anamewellknowntoallMarylanders，blackandwhite。Itwasgiventothissectionofcountryprobably，atthefirst，merelyinderision；oritmaypossiblyhavebeenappliedtoit，asIhaveheard，becausesomeoneofitsearlierinhabitantshadbeenguiltyofthepettymeannessofstealingahoe——ortakingahoethatdidnotbelongtohim。EasternShoremenusuallypronouncetheword_took_，as_tuck；Took-a-hoe_，therefore，is，inMarylandparlance，_Tuckahoe_。But，whatevermayhavebeenitsorigin——andaboutthisIwillnotbepositive——thatnamehasstucktothedistrictinquestion；
anditisseldommentionedbutwithcontemptandderision，onaccountofthebarrennessofitssoil，andtheignorance，indolence，andpovertyofitspeople。Decayandruinareeverywherevisible，andthethinpopulationoftheplacewouldhavequitteditlongago，butfortheChoptankriver，whichrunsthroughit，fromwhichtheytakeabundanceofshadandherring，andplentyofagueandfever。
Itwasinthisdull，flat，andunthriftydistrict，orneighborhood，surroundedbyawhitepopulationofthelowestorder，indolentanddrunkentoaproverb，andamongslaves，whoseemedtoask，_“Oh！what\'stheuse？“_everytimetheyliftedahoe，thatI——withoutanyfaultofminewasborn，andspentthefirstyearsofmychildhood。
Thereaderwillpardonsomuchabouttheplaceofmybirth，onthescorethatitisalwaysafactofsomeimportancetoknowwhereamanisborn，if，indeed，itbeimportanttoknowanythingabouthim。Inregardtothe_time_ofmybirth，IcannotbeasdefiniteasIhavebeenrespectingthe_place_。Nor，indeed，canIimpartmuchknowledgeconcerningmyparents。Genealogicaltreesdonotflourishamongslaves。Apersonofsomeconsequencehereinthenorth，sometimesdesignated_father_，isliterallyabolishedinslavelawandslavepractice。Itisonlyonceinawhilethatanexceptionisfoundtothisstatement。Inevermetwithaslavewhocouldtellmehowoldhewas。Fewslave-mothersknowanythingofthemonthsoftheyear，norofthedaysofthemonth。Theykeepnofamilyrecords，withmarriages，births，anddeaths。Theymeasuretheagesoftheirchildrenbyspringtime，wintertime，harvesttime，plantingtime，andthelike；butthesesoonbecomeundistinguishableandforgotten。Likeotherslaves，IcannottellhowoldIam。Thisdestitutionwasamongmyearliesttroubles。IlearnedwhenIgrewup，thatmymaster——andthisisthecasewithmastersgenerally——allowednoquestionstobeputtohim，bywhichaslavemightlearnhisage。Suchquestionsdeemedevidenceofimpatience，andevenofimpudentcuriosity。Fromcertainevents，however，thedatesofwhichIhavesincelearned，Isupposemyselftohavebeenbornabouttheyear1817。
ThefirstexperienceoflifewithmethatInowremember——andI
rememberitbuthazily——beganinthefamilyofmygrandmotherandgrandfather。BetseyandIsaacBaily。Theywerequiteadvancedinlife，andhadlonglivedonthespotwheretheythenresided。
Theywereconsideredoldsettlersintheneighborhood，and，fromcertaincircumstances，Iinferthatmygrandmother，especially，washeldinhighesteem，farhigherthanisthelotofmostcoloredpersonsintheslavestates。Shewasagoodnurse，andacapitalhandatmakingnetsforcatchingshadandherring；andthesenetswereingreatdemand，notonlyinTuckahoe，butatDentonandHillsboro，neighboringvillages。Shewasnotonlygoodatmakingthenets，butwasalsosomewhatfamousforhergoodfortuneintakingthefishesreferredto。Ihaveknownhertobeinthewaterhalftheday。Grandmotherwaslikewisemoreprovidentthanmostofherneighborsinthepreservationofseedlingsweetpotatoes，andithappenedtoher——asitwillhappentoanycarefulandthriftypersonresidinginanignorantandimprovidentcommunity——toenjoythereputationofhavingbeenbornto“goodluck。“Her“goodluck“wasowingtotheexceedingcarewhichshetookinpreventingthesucculentrootfromgettingbruisedinthedigging，andinplacingitbeyondthereachoffrost，byactuallyburyingitunderthehearthofhercabinduringthewintermonths。Inthetimeofplantingsweetpotatoes，“GrandmotherBetty，“asshewasfamiliarlycalled，wassentforinalldirections，simplytoplacetheseedlingpotatoesinthehills；forsuperstitionhadit，thatif“GrandmammaBettybuttouchesthematplanting，theywillbesuretogrowandflourish。“Thishighreputationwasfullofadvantagetoher，andtothechildrenaroundher。ThoughTuckahoehadbutfewofthegoodthingsoflife，yetofsuchasitdidpossessgrandmothergotafullshare，inthewayofpresents。Ifgoodpotatocropscameafterherplanting，shewasnotforgottenbythoseforwhomsheplanted；andasshewasrememberedbyothers，sosherememberedthehungrylittleonesaroundher。
Thedwellingofmygrandmotherandgrandfatherhadfewpretensions。Itwasaloghut，orcabin，builtofclay，wood，andstraw。Atadistanceitresembled——thoughitwassmaller，lesscommodiousandlesssubstantial——thecabinserectedinthewesternstatesbythefirstsettlers。Tomychild\'seye，however，itwasanoblestructure，admirablyadaptedtopromotethecomfortsandconveniencesofitsinmates。Afewrough，Virginiafence-rails，flunglooselyovertheraftersabove，answeredthetriplepurposeoffloors，ceilings，andbedsteads。
Tobesure，thisupperapartmentwasreachedonlybyaladder——
butwhatintheworldforclimbingcouldbebetterthanaladder？
Tome，thisladderwasreallyahighinvention，andpossessedasortofcharmasIplayedwithdelightupontheroundsofit。Inthislittlehuttherewasalargefamilyofchildren:Idarenotsayhowmany。Mygrandmother——whetherbecausetoooldforfieldservice，orbecauseshehadsofaithfullydischargedthedutiesofherstationinearlylife，Iknownot——enjoyedthehighprivilegeoflivinginacabin，separatefromthequarter，withnootherburdenthanherownsupport，andthenecessarycareofthelittlechildren，imposed。Sheevidentlyesteemeditagreatfortunetoliveso。Thechildrenwerenotherown，buthergrandchildren——thechildrenofherdaughters。Shetookdelightinhavingthemaroundher，andinattendingtotheirfewwants。
Thepracticeofseparatingchildrenfromtheirmother，andhiringthelatteroutatdistancestoogreattoadmitoftheirmeeting，exceptatlongintervals，isamarkedfeatureofthecrueltyandbarbarityoftheslavesystem。Butitisinharmonywiththegrandaimofslavery，which，alwaysandeverywhere，istoreducemantoalevelwiththebrute。Itisasuccessfulmethodofobliteratingfromthemindandheartoftheslave，alljustideasofthesacrednessof_thefamily_，asaninstitution。
Mostofthechildren，however，inthisinstance，beingthechildrenofmygrandmother\'sdaughters，thenotionsoffamily，andthereciprocaldutiesandbenefitsoftherelation，hadabetterchanceofbeingunderstoodthanwherechildrenareplaced——astheyoftenareinthehandsofstrangers，whohavenocareforthem，apartfromthewishesoftheirmasters。Thedaughtersofmygrandmotherwerefiveinnumber。TheirnameswereJENNY，ESTHER，MILLY，PRISCILLA，andHARRIET。Thedaughterlastnamedwasmymother，ofwhomthereadershalllearnmoreby-
and-by。
Livinghere，withmydearoldgrandmotherandgrandfather，itwasalongtimebeforeIknewmyselftobe_aslave_。IknewmanyotherthingsbeforeIknewthat。Grandmotherandgrandfatherwerethegreatestpeopleintheworldtome；andbeingwiththemsosnuglyintheirownlittlecabin——Isupposeditbetheirown——
knowingnohigherauthorityovermeortheotherchildrenthantheauthorityofgrandmamma，foratimetherewasnothingtodisturbme；but，asIgrewlargerandolder，Ilearnedbydegreesthesadfact，thatthe“littlehut，“andthelotonwhichitstood，belongednottomydearoldgrandparents，buttosomepersonwholivedagreatdistanceoff，andwhowascalled，bygrandmother，“OLDMASTER。“Ifurtherlearnedthesadderfact，thatnotonlythehouseandlot，butthatgrandmotherherself，grandfatherwasfree，andallthelittlechildrenaroundher，belongedtothismysteriouspersonage，calledbygrandmother，witheverymarkofreverence，“OldMaster。“Thusearlydidcloudsandshadowsbegintofalluponmypath。Onceonthetrack——troublesnevercomesingly——Iwasnotlonginfindingoutanotherfact，stillmoregrievoustomychildishheart。Iwastoldthatthis“oldmaster，“whosenameseemedevertobementionedwithfearandshuddering，onlyallowedthechildrentolivewithgrandmotherforalimitedtime，andthatinfactassoonastheywerebigenough，theywerepromptlytakenaway，tolivewiththesaid“oldmaster。“Theseweredistressingrevelationsindeed；andthoughIwasquitetooyoungtocomprehendthefullimportoftheintelligence，andmostlyspentmychildhooddaysingleesomesportswiththeotherchildren，ashadeofdisquietresteduponme。
Theabsolutepowerofthisdistant“oldmaster“hadtouchedmyyoungspiritwithbutthepointofitscold，crueliron，andleftmesomethingtobroodoveraftertheplayandinmomentsofrepose。Grandmammywas，indeed，atthattime，alltheworldtome；andthethoughtofbeingseparatedfromher，inanyconsiderabletime，wasmorethananunwelcomeintruder。Itwasintolerable。
Childrenhavetheirsorrowsaswellasmenandwomen；anditwouldbewelltorememberthisinourdealingswiththem。SLAVE-
children_are_children，andprovenoexceptionstothegeneralrule。Theliabilitytobeseparatedfrommygrandmother，seldomornevertoseeheragain，hauntedme。Idreadedthethoughtofgoingtolivewiththatmysterious“oldmaster，“whosenameI
neverheardmentionedwithaffection，butalwayswithfear。I
lookbacktothisasamongtheheaviestofmychildhood\'ssorrows。Mygrandmother！mygrandmother！andthelittlehut，andthejoyouscircleunderhercare，butespecially_she_，whomadeussorrywhensheleftusbutforanhour，andgladonherreturn，——howcouldIleaveherandthegoodoldhome？
Butthesorrowsofchildhood，likethepleasuresofafterlife，aretransient。Itisnotevenwithinthepowerofslaverytowrite_indelible_sorrow，atasingledash，overtheheartofachild。
_Theteardownchildhood\'scheekthatflows，Islikethedew-dropontherose——
Whennextthesummerbreezecomesby，Andwavesthebush——theflowerisdry_。
Thereis，afterall，butlittledifferenceinthemeasureofcontentmentfeltbytheslave-childneglectedandtheslaveholder\'schildcaredforandpetted。ThespiritoftheAllJustmercifullyholdsthebalancefortheyoung。
Theslaveholder，havingnothingtofearfromimpotentchildhood，easilyaffordstorefrainfromcruelinflictions；andifcoldandhungerdonotpiercethetenderframe，thefirstsevenoreightyearsoftheslave-boy\'slifeareaboutasfullofsweetcontentasthoseofthemostfavoredandpetted_white_childrenoftheslaveholder。Theslave-boyescapesmanytroubleswhichbefallandvexhiswhitebrother。Heseldomhastolistentolecturesonproprietyofbehavior，oronanythingelse。Heisneverchidedforhandlinghislittleknifeandforkimproperlyorawkwardly，forheusesnone。Heisneverreprimandedforsoilingthetable-cloth，forhetakeshismealsontheclayfloor。Heneverhasthemisfortune，inhisgamesorsports，ofsoilingortearinghisclothes，forhehasalmostnonetosoilortear。Heisneverexpectedtoactlikeanicelittlegentleman，forheisonlyarudelittleslave。Thus，freedfromallrestraint，theslave-boycanbe，inhislifeandconduct，agenuineboy，doingwhateverhisboyishnaturesuggests；enacting，byturns，allthestrangeanticsandfreaksofhorses，dogs，pigs，andbarn-doorfowls，withoutinanymannercompromisinghisdignity，orincurringreproachofanysort。Heliterallyrunswild；hasnoprettylittleversestolearninthenursery；nonicelittlespeechestomakeforaunts，uncles，orcousins，toshowhowsmartheis；and，ifhecanonlymanagetokeepoutofthewayoftheheavyfeetandfistsoftheolderslaveboys，hemaytroton，inhisjoyousandroguishtricks，ashappyasanylittleheathenunderthepalmtreesofAfrica。Tobesure，heisoccasionallyreminded，whenhestumblesinthepathofhismaster——andthisheearlylearnstoavoid——thatheiseatinghis_“whitebread，“_andthathewillbemadeto_“seesights“_by-and-by。Thethreatissoonforgotten；theshadowsoonpasses，andoursableboycontinuestorollinthedust，orplayinthemud，asbestssuitshim，andintheveriestfreedom。Ifhefeelsuncomfortable，frommudorfromdust，thecoastisclear；hecanplungeintotheriverorthepond，withouttheceremonyofundressing，orthefearofwettinghisclothes；hislittletow-linenshirt——forthatisallhehason——iseasilydried；anditneededablutionasmuchasdidhisskin。Hisfoodisofthecoarsestkind，consistingforthemostpartofcornmealmush，whichoftenfindsitwayfromthewoodentraytohismouthinanoystershell。Hisdays，whentheweatheriswarm，arespentinthepure，openair，andinthebrightsunshine。Healwayssleepsinairyapartments；heseldomhastotakepowders，ortobepaidtoswallowprettylittlesugar-coatedpills，tocleansehisblood，ortoquickenhisappetite。Heeatsnocandies；getsnolumpsofloafsugar；
alwaysrelisheshisfood；criesbutlittle，fornobodycaresforhiscrying；learnstoesteemhisbruisesbutslight，becauseotherssoesteemthem。Inaword，heis，forthemostpartofthefirsteightyearsofhislife，aspirited，joyous，uproarious，andhappyboy，uponwhomtroublesfallonlylikewateronaduck\'sback。Andsuchaboy，sofarasIcannowremember，wastheboywhoselifeinslaveryIamnownarrating。
CHAPTERII
RemovedfromMyFirstHomeTHENAME“OLDMASTER“ATERROR——COLONELLLOYD\'SPLANTATION——WYE
RIVER——WHENCEITSNAME——POSITIONOFTHELLOYDS——HOMEATTRACTION——
MEETOFFERING——JOURNEYFROMTUCKAHOETOWYERIVER——SCENEON
REACHINGOLDMASTER\'S——DEPARTUREOFGRANDMOTHER——STRANGEMEETING
OFSISTERSANDBROTHERS——REFUSALTOBECOMFORTED——SWEETSLEEP。
Thatmysteriousindividualreferredtointhefirstchapterasanobjectofterroramongtheinhabitantsofourlittlecabin，undertheominoustitleof“oldmaster，“wasreallyamanofsomeconsequence。HeownedseveralfarmsinTuckahoe；wasthechiefclerkandbutleronthehomeplantationofCol。EdwardLloyd；hadoverseersonhisownfarms；andgavedirectionstooverseersonthefarmsbelongingtoCol。Lloyd。ThisplantationissituatedonWyeriver——theriverreceivingitsname，doubtless，fromWales，wheretheLloydsoriginated。TheytheLloydsareanoldandhonoredfamilyinMaryland，exceedinglywealthy。Thehomeplantation，wheretheyhaveresided，perhapsforacenturyormore，isoneofthelargest，mostfertile，andbestappointed，inthestate。
Aboutthisplantation，andaboutthatqueeroldmaster——whomustbesomethingmorethanaman，andsomethingworsethananangel——
thereaderwilleasilyimaginethatIwasnotonlycurious，buteager，toknowallthatcouldbeknown。Unhappilyforme，however，alltheinformationIcouldgetconcerninghimincreasedmygreatdreadofbeingcarriedthither——ofbeingseparatedfromanddeprivedoftheprotectionofmygrandmotherandgrandfather。Itwas，evidently，agreatthingtogotoCol。
Lloyd\'s；andIwasnotwithoutalittlecuriositytoseetheplace；butnoamountofcoaxingcouldinduceinmethewishtoremainthere。Thefactis，suchwasmydreadofleavingthelittlecabin，thatIwishedtoremainlittleforever，forIknewthetallerIgrewtheshortermystay。Theoldcabin，withitsrailfloorandrailbedsteadsupstairs，anditsclayfloordownstairs，anditsdirtchimney，andwindowlesssides，andthatmostcuriouspieceofworkmanshipduginfrontofthefireplace，beneathwhichgrandmammyplacedthesweetpotatoestokeepthemfromthefrost，wasMYHOME——theonlyhomeIeverhad；andI
lovedit，andallconnectedwithit。Theoldfencesaroundit，andthestumpsintheedgeofthewoodsnearit，andthesquirrelsthatran，skipped，andplayeduponthem，wereobjectsofinterestandaffection。There，too，rightatthesideofthehut，stoodtheoldwell，withitsstatelyandskyward-pointingbeam，soaptlyplacedbetweenthelimbsofwhathadoncebeenatree，andsonicelybalancedthatIcouldmoveitupanddownwithonlyonehand，andcouldgetadrinkmyselfwithoutcallingforhelp。Whereelseintheworldcouldsuchawellbefound，andwherecouldsuchanotherhomebemetwith？Norwerethesealltheattractionsoftheplace。Downinalittlevalley，notfarfromgrandmammy\'scabin，stoodMr。Lee\'smill，wherethepeoplecameofteninlargenumberstogettheircornground。Itwasawatermill；andInevershallbeabletotellthemanythingsthoughtandfelt，whileIsatonthebankandwatchedthatmill，andtheturningofthatponderouswheel。Themill-pond，too，haditscharms；andwithmypinhook，andthreadline，I
couldget_nibbles_，ifIcouldcatchnofish。But，inallmysportsandplays，andinspiteofthem，therewould，occasionally，comethepainfulforebodingthatIwasnotlongtoremainthere，andthatImustsoonbecalledawaytothehomeofoldmaster。
IwasASLAVE——bornaslaveandthoughthefactwasincomprehensibletome，itconveyedtomymindasenseofmyentiredependenceonthewillof_somebody_I
hadneverseen；and，fromsomecauseorother，Ihadbeenmadetofearthissomebodyaboveallelseonearth。Bornforanother\'sbenefit，asthe_firstling_ofthecabinflockIwassoontobeselectedasameetofferingtothefearfulandinexorable_demigod_，whosehugeimageonsomanyoccasionshauntedmychildhood\'simagination。Whenthetimeofmydeparturewasdecidedupon，mygrandmother，knowingmyfears，andinpityforthem，kindlykeptmeignorantofthedreadedeventabouttotranspire。Uptothemorningabeautifulsummermorningwhenweweretostart，and，indeed，duringthewholejourney——ajourneywhich，childasIwas，Irememberaswellasifitwereyesterday——shekeptthesadfacthiddenfromme。Thisreservewasnecessary；for，couldIhaveknownall，Ishouldhavegivengrandmothersometroubleingettingmestarted。Asitwas，Iwashelpless，andshe——dearwoman！——ledmealongbythehand，resisting，withthereserveandsolemnityofapriestess，allmyinquiringlookstothelast。
ThedistancefromTuckahoetoWyeriver——wheremyoldmasterlived——wasfulltwelvemiles，andthewalkwasquiteaseveretestoftheenduranceofmyyounglegs。Thejourneywouldhaveprovedtoosevereforme，butthatmydearoldgrandmother——
blessingsonhermemory！——affordedoccasionalreliefby“toting“
measMarylandershaveitonhershoulder。Mygrandmother，thoughadvancedinyears——aswasevidentfrommorethanonegrayhair，whichpeepedfrombetweentheampleandgracefulfoldsofhernewly-ironedbandanaturban——wasyetawomanofpowerandspirit。Shewasmarvelouslystraightinfigure，elastic，andmuscular。Iseemedhardlytobeaburdentoher。Shewouldhave“toted“mefarther，butthatIfeltmyselftoomuchofamantoallowit，andinsistedonwalking。Releasingdeargrandmammafromcarryingme，didnotmakemealtogetherindependentofher，whenwehappenedtopassthroughportionsofthesomberwoodswhichlaybetweenTuckahoeandWyeriver。Sheoftenfoundmeincreasingtheenergyofmygrip，andholdingherclothing，lestsomethingshouldcomeoutofthewoodsandeatmeup。Severaloldlogsandstumpsimposeduponme，andgotthemselvestakenforwildbeasts。Icouldseetheirlegs，eyes，andears，orIcouldseesomethinglikeeyes，legs，andears，tillIgotcloseenoughtothemtoseethattheeyeswereknots，washedwhitewithrain，andthelegswerebrokenlimbs，andtheears，onlyearsowingtothepointfromwhichtheywereseen。ThusearlyIlearnedthatthepointfromwhichathingisviewedisofsomeimportance。
Asthedayadvancedtheheatincreased；anditwasnotuntiltheafternoonthatwereachedthemuchdreadedendofthejourney。I
foundmyselfinthemidstofagroupofchildrenofmanycolors；
black，brown，coppercolored，andnearlywhite。Ihadnotseensomanychildrenbefore。Greathousesloomedupindifferentdirections，andagreatmanymenandwomenwereatworkinthefields。Allthishurry，noise，andsingingwasverydifferentfromthestillnessofTuckahoe。Asanewcomer，Iwasanobjectofspecialinterest；and，afterlaughingandyellingaroundme，andplayingallsortsofwildtricks，theythechildrenaskedmetogooutandplaywiththem。ThisIrefusedtodo，preferringtostaywithgrandmamma。Icouldnothelpfeelingthatourbeingtherebodednogoodtome。Grandmammalookedsad。
Shewassoontoloseanotherobjectofaffection，asshehadlostmanybefore。Iknewshewasunhappy，andtheshadowfellfromherbrowonme，thoughIknewnotthecause。
Allsuspense，however，musthaveanend；andtheendofmine，inthisinstance，wasathand。Affectionatelypattingmeonthehead，andexhortingmetobeagoodboy，grandmammatoldmetogoandplaywiththelittlechildren。“Theyarekintoyou，“saidshe；“goandplaywiththem。“AmonganumberofcousinswerePhil，Tom，Steve，andJerry，NanceandBetty。
GrandmotherpointedoutmybrotherPERRY，mysisterSARAH，andmysisterELIZA，whostoodinthegroup。Ihadneverseenmybrothernormysistersbefore；and，thoughIhadsometimesheardofthem，andfeltacuriousinterestinthem，Ireallydidnotunderstandwhattheyweretome，orI
tothem。Wewerebrothersandsisters，butwhatofthat？Whyshouldtheybeattachedtome，orItothem？Brothersandsisterswewerebyblood；but_slavery_hadmadeusstrangers。I
heardthewordsbrotherandsisters，andknewtheymustmeansomething；butslaveryhadrobbedthesetermsoftheirtruemeaning。TheexperiencethroughwhichIwaspassing，theyhadpassedthroughbefore。Theyhadalreadybeeninitiatedintothemysteriesofoldmaster\'sdomicile，andtheyseemedtolookuponmewithacertaindegreeofcompassion；butmyheartclavetomygrandmother。Thinkitnotstrange，dearreader，thatsolittlesympathyoffeelingexistedbetweenus。Theconditionsofbrotherlyandsisterlyfeelingwerewanting——wehadnevernestledandplayedtogether。Mypoormother，likemanyotherslave-
women，hadmany_children_，butNOFAMILY！Thedomestichearth，withitsholylessonsandpreciousendearments，isabolishedinthecaseofaslave-motherandherchildren。“Littlechildren，loveoneanother，“arewordsseldomheardinaslavecabin。
Ireallywantedtoplaywithmybrotherandsisters，buttheywerestrangerstome，andIwasfulloffearthatgrandmothermightleavewithouttakingmewithher。Entreatedtodoso，however，andthat，too，bymydeargrandmother，Iwenttothebackpartofthehouse，toplaywiththemandtheotherchildren。
_Play_，however，Ididnot，butstoodwithmybackagainstthewall，witnessingtheplayingoftheothers。Atlast，whilestandingthere，oneofthechildren，whohadbeeninthekitchen，ranuptome，inasortofroguishglee，exclaiming，“Fed，Fed！
grandmammygone！grandmammygone！“Icouldnotbelieveit；yet，fearingtheworst，Iranintothekitchen，toseeformyself，andfounditevenso。Grandmammyhadindeedgone，andwasnowfaraway，“clean“outofsight。Ineednottellallthathappenednow。Almostheart-brokenatthediscovery，Ifellupontheground，andweptaboy\'sbittertears，refusingtobecomforted。Mybrotherandsisterscamearoundme，andsaid，“Don\'tcry，“andgavemepeachesandpears，butIflungthemaway，andrefusedalltheirkindlyadvances。Ihadneverbeendeceivedbefore；andIfeltnotonlygrievedatparting——asI
supposedforever——withmygrandmother，butindignantthatatrickhadbeenplayeduponmeinamattersoserious。
Itwasnowlateintheafternoon。Thedayhadbeenanexcitingandwearisomeone，andIknewnothoworwhere，butIsupposeI
sobbedmyselftosleep。Thereisahealingintheangelwingofsleep，evenfortheslave-boy；anditsbalmwasnevermorewelcometoanywoundedsoulthanitwastomine，thefirstnightIspentatthedomicileofoldmaster。ThereadermaybesurprisedthatInarratesominutelyanincidentapparentlysotrivial，andwhichmusthaveoccurredwhenIwasnotmorethansevenyearsold；butasIwishtogiveafaithfulhistoryofmyexperienceinslavery，Icannotwithholdacircumstancewhich，atthetime，affectedmesodeeply。Besides，thiswas，infact，myfirstintroductiontotherealitiesofslavery。