Had it not been for the introduction of freedom in our land; had the cruel monster, Slavery, not partially disappeared, when would we have seen banks, steamers, or railroads?  No man thought of hazarding his capital in the days of slavery, but now that a new era has burst upon us, a complete change has taken possession of the hearts of all just men, and they think of improving the blessing of freedom by the introduction of other things which must ever prove beneficial to the country.

The vast improvements that are every day being effected in this island, and throughout the other colonies, stamp the assertions of the pro-slavery party as the vilest falsehoods.  They glory in the introduction of banks, steam-vessels, and railroads; with the knowledge (as they would have us believe) that the island is fast verging into destruction.  They speak of the utility and success of railroads, when, according to their showing, there is no produce to be sent to market, when agriculture has been paralyzed, and Jamaica swept to destruction.”

* * * * *

The following copious extracts from a speech of Lord Brougham, on the workings of the apprenticeship, and on the immediate emancipation substituted therefor in Antigua and the Bermudas, are specially commended to the notice of the reader.  The speech was delivered in the House of Lords, Feb. 20, 1838.  We take it from the published report of the speech in the London Times, of Feb. 25:—­

I now must approach that subject which has some time excited almost universal anxiety.  Allow me, however, first to remind your lordships—­because that goes to the root of the evil—­allow me first to remind you of the anxiety that existed previous to the Emancipation Act which was passed in January, 1833, coming into operation in August, 1834.  My lords, there was much to apprehend from the character of the masters of the slaves.  I know the nature of man. * * * * I know that he who has abused power clings to it with a yet more convulsive grasp.  I know his revenge against those who have been rescued from his tyrannous fangs; I know that he never forgives those whom he has injured, whether white or black.  I have never yet met with an unforgiving enemy, except in the person of one of whose injustice I had a right to complain.  On the part of the slaves, my lords, I was not without anxiety; for I know the corrupt nature of the degrading system under which they groaned. * * * * It was, therefore, I confess, my lords, with some anxiety that I looked forward to the 1st of August, 1834; and I yielded, though reluctantly, to the plan of an intermediate state before what was called the full enjoyment of freedom—­the transition condition of indentured apprenticeship.

The first of August arrived—­that day so confidently and joyously anticipated by the poor slaves, and so sorely dreaded by their hard taskmasters—­and if ever there was a