h had
not.

_Mr. F._ (_In a tone of irony._) When I see a young man spending his
time at the theatre, in search of good morals, I think he "pays too
dear for his whistle."

_Mrs. G._ And yet brother Frank speaks the truth. What success does
thee think a play would meet, which should represent such a man as
Uncle Tom yielding his principles and faith to the will of a Legree?

_Mr. F._ (_With great asperity._) Do you, too, Rebecca, advocate
theatres?

_Mrs. G._ It is not of theatres, but of books, that I am speaking.
Does thee recollect any work, the whole plot and design of which is
made to turn upon the triumph of the wicked over the good?

_Mr. F._ (_Musing._) Why--I--don't remember now--

_Frank._ (_In great surprise._) Why, mother, are there no books
written in favor of Slavery?

_Mrs. G._ I cannot think of any book which can be said to be written
for Slavery, in the sense that Uncle Tom's Cabin is written against
it. Such a work is, I think, impossible. No poet would attempt to
portray its moral aspects, and delineate its beauties, with the idea
of exciting our admiration and approval.

_Mr. F._ Spoken just like a woman! Your sex always seize upon some
thought gained through the sensibilities, and then bring in a
decision without farther investigation.

_Frank._ And is not the instinct of a woman a more perfect guide in
morals, than the reason of man?

_Mr. F._ (_Sarcastically._) Certainly--if it direct her son to the
theatre.

_Mr. D._ Or teach him the supremacy of the "Higher Law."

_Frank._ (_With warmth_.) My mother did not direct me to the theatre,
sir; she has taught me to love better things;--to her I owe all the
lofty sentiments of virtue and truth.

_Mrs. G._ Softly, softly Frank, theatres and Slavery will be quite
sufficient for this discussion, without introducing Woman's Rights.
(_To Mr. Freeman_.) Would it not be more consistent, brother, for thee
to disprove my argument, than to object to my method of obtaining it?

_Mr. F._ Nothing can be easier--you have asserted in round terms that
no work was ever written in favor of Slavery. What an absurdity! If
you have any information you must know that the southern press groans
with publications upon this topic.

_Mrs. G._ Still if thee examine the matter, thee will find that every
one of these books treats Slavery as a curse, and describes it not as
a _good_ but an _evil_, of which each man loads the guilt upon his
forefathers or his neig