ch
beans, early and late; radishes, cantelopes, melons of all kinds; the
fruits and flowers of all climes and of all descriptions, from the hardy
apple of the north, to the lemon and orange of the south, culminated at
this point. Baltimore gathered figs, raisins, almonds and juicy grapes
from Spain. Wines and brandies from France; teas of various flavor, from
China; and rich, aromatic coffee from Java, all conspired to swell
the tide of high life, where pride and indolence rolled and lounged in
magnificence and satiety.

Behind the tall-backed and elaborately wrought chairs, stand the
servants, men and maidens--fifteen in number--discriminately selected,
not only with a view to their industry and faithfulness,{85} but with
special regard to their personal appearance, their graceful agility and
captivating address. Some of these are armed with fans, and are fanning
reviving breezes toward the over-heated brows of the alabaster ladies;
others watch with eager eye, and with fawn-like step anticipate and
supply wants before they are sufficiently formed to be announced by word
or sign.

These servants constituted a sort of black aristocracy on Col. Lloyd's
plantation. They resembled the field hands in nothing, except in color,
and in this they held the advantage of a velvet-like glossiness, rich
and beautiful. The hair, too, showed the same advantage. The delicate
colored maid rustled in the scarcely worn silk of her young mistress,
while the servant men were equally well attired from the over-flowing
wardrobe of their young masters; so that, in dress, as well as in form
and feature, in manner and speech, in tastes and habits, the distance
between these favored few, and the sorrow and hunger-smitten multitudes
of the quarter and the field, was immense; and this is seldom passed
over.

Let us now glance at the stables and the carriage house, and we shall
find the same evidences of pride and luxurious extravagance. Here are
three splendid coaches, soft within and lustrous without. Here, too,
are gigs, phaetons, barouches, sulkeys and sleighs. Here are saddles and
harnesses--beautifully wrought and silver mounted--kept with every care.
In the stable you will find, kept only for pleasure, full thirty-five
horses, of the most approved blood for speed and beauty. There are two
men here constantly employed in taking care of these horses. One of
these men must be always in the stable, to answer every call from the
great house. O