form, that
commerce for slaves, between Africa and America, which has since grown
to such an amazing extent.--_Robertson._

[19] "Too warmly generous and dearly true,
The simple black," &c.

It will remain an indelible reproach on the name of Europeans, that
for more than three centuries their intercourse with the Africans has
only tended to destroy their happiness and debase their
character.--_Edin. Ency._

[20] "Now laughs the stranger at their anguished throes."

The arts of the slave-merchant have inflamed the hostility of their
various tribes, and heightened their ferocity by sedulously increasing
their wars.--_Ibid._

[21] "By specious creeds and sophists darkly taught."

Hamlet's advice to his offending mother;--

"Assume a virtue, tho' you have it not."

Adding hypocrisy to avowed unworthiness, was the acknowledged
injunction of the church, wherever and whenever she participated in
secular affairs, with a view of emolument. For a peculiar illustration
of this favorite doctrine, see Clement VI.'s edict, when, in virtue of
the right arrogated by the holy see _to dispose of all countries
belonging to the heathen_, he erected (1344) the Canaries into a
kingdom, and disposed of them to Lewis de la Corda, a prince of
Castile.

[22] "Or bolder still on fancy's fiery wing."

That I do not exaggerate the _belle lettres_ and classical
accomplishments of at least two of the "chattels" of the "peculiar
institution," in the lines following the above, see "Poems written by
Rosa and Maria," _property_ of South Carolina, and published in 1834.

[23] "Hear _Loxian_ murmurs in Rhodolphe's caves."

Loxian is a name frequently given to Apollo by Greek writers and is
met with, more than once, in the "Choephorae of Eschylus."--_Campbell._

Euripides mentions it three times, and Sophocles twice, its euphony
recommends it more than any other name of the fair-haired god.

[24] "And in the march of nations led the _van_."
_Campbell_

[Illustration: Henry Ward Beecher. (Engraved by J. C. Buttre)]

Letter

BROOKLYN, December 6th, 1853.

Dear Sir,--

Your note of November 29th, requesting a line from me for the
Autographs for Freedom, is received.

I wish that I had something that would add to the literary value of
your laudable enterprise. In so great a cause as that of human
liberty, every