boundless. No stranger was ever sent away from
their gates. The gentry received one another, and traveled to each other's
houses, in a state almost feudal. The question of slavery was not born at
the time of which we write. To be the proprietor of black servants shocked
the feelings of no Virginia gentleman; nor, in truth, was the despotism
exercised over the negro race generally a savage one. The food was plenty:
the poor black people lazy and not unhappy. You might have preached negro
emancipation to Madam Esmond of Castlewood as you might have told her to
let the horses run loose out of the stables; she had no doubt but that the
whip and the corn bag were good for both.

6. Her father may have thought otherwise, being of a skeptical turn on
very many points, but his doubts did not break forth in active denial, and
he was rather disaffected than rebellious, At one period, this gentleman
had taken a part in active life at home, and possibly might have been
eager to share its rewards; but in latter days he did not seem to care for
them. A something had occurred in his life, which had cast a tinge of
melancholy over all his existence.

7. He was not unhappy,--to those about him most kind,--most affectionate,
obsequious even to the women of his family, whom he scarce ever
contradicted; but there had been some bankruptcy of his heart, which his
spirit never recovered. He submitted to life, rather than enjoyed it, and
never was in better spirits than in his last hours when he was going to
lay it down.

8. When the boys' grandfather died, their mother, in great state,
proclaimed her eldest son George her successor and heir of the estate; and
Harry, George's younger brother by half an hour, was always enjoined to
respect his senior. All the household was equally instructed to pay him
honor; the negroes, of whom there was a large and happy family, and the
assigned servants from Europe, whose lot was made as bearable as it might
be under the government of the lady of Castlewood.

9. In the whole family there scarcely was a rebel save Mrs. Esmond's
faithful friend and companion, Madam Mountain, and Harry's foster mother,
a faithful negro woman, who never could be made to understand why her
child should not be first, who was handsomer, and stronger, and cleverer
than his brother, as she vowed; though, in truth, there was scarcely any
difference in the beauty, strength, or stature of the twins.

10. In disposition, they were