But the stage-coach was waiting for him, and we were soon on our way.  Your Uncle was silent for nearly fifteen minutes, when he said,—­

“What is that passage, Hattie, about answering a matter before you understand it?”

I gave Hattie my Bible, and, after a while, she read: 

“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.  The spirit of a man”—­

“That will do, child,” said your Uncle, “I wanted only that one verse.”

* * * * *

I should be glad to transfer some of this Southern ease and beauty of manners to the North.  I wish that we could see more of these Southern ladies and gentlemen there.  They stay away very much, because they cannot bring servants with them.  Whole families would rejoice to visit our Northern shores and mountains for summer residences, were it not for this.  When our passions subside, and we can look at this subject fairly, we shall repeal the statutes which prevent a Southerner from residing in a free state for a season, with his or her servant.  The people of Massachusetts, for example, can easily appreciate the hardship of being kept away from a clime which they would visit for health or recreation, by the fear of being set upon by a mob of whites and blacks seeking to drag a wet-nurse, for example, before a court to be interrogated whether she does not wish to leave us.  How long will our warm-hearted, hospitable people allow such things?  The answer, from ten thousand tongues, will be, So long as Southern people imprison colored seamen from the North!—­If Southern slaves should come here and make trouble between our domestics and us, and we should forbid their coming, the cases would be more nearly parallel.—­Moreover, it will be said that the manner in which people from the North have in many instances of late been treated at the South, does not encourage the hope and prospect of amicable intercourse.  This is certainly so; and therefore what have we to look for but everlasting hatred and strife? and that whether we be one nation or two confederacies.

A distinguished Southern gentleman came home from his visit to the North, where he had received great attentions, and he filled his hearers with his enthusiastic admiration of us for our wonderful ingenuity in all the arts of life.

“It is astonishing,” said he, “how they work everything into shape, and create instruments for their purposes.  But,” said he, “there is one thing in which they are deficient.  They are omnipotent with matter, but they do not know how to govern men.  If they did,” said he, “there would be no chance for us in any form of contest with them.”