The next testimony in Mary’s behalf is that of Mrs. Forsyth, a lady in whose service she spent the summer of 1829.—­(See page 21.) This lady, on leaving London to join her husband, voluntarily presented Mary with a certificate, which, though it relates only to a recent and short period of her history, is a strong corroboration of the habitual respectability of her character.  It is in the following terms:—­

“Mrs. Forsyth states, that the bearer of this paper (Mary James,) has been with her for the last six months; that she has found her an excellent character, being honest, industrious, and sober; and that she parts with her on no other account than this—­that being obliged to travel with her husband, who has lately come from abroad in bad health, she has no farther need of a servant.  Any person Wishing to engage her, can have her character in full from Miss Robson, 4, Keppel Street, Russel Square, whom Mrs. Forsyth has requested to furnish particulars to any one desiring them.

     “4, Keppel Street, 28th Sept. 1829.”

In the last place, I add my own testimony in behalf of this negro woman.  Independently of the scrutiny, which, as Secretary of the Anti-Slavery Society, I made into her case when she first applied for assistance, at 18, Aldermanbury, and the watchful eye I kept upon her conduct for the ensuing twelvemonths, while she was the occasional pensioner of the Society, I have now had the opportunity of closely observing her conduct for fourteen months, in the situation of a domestic servant in my own family; and the following is the deliberate opinion of Mary’s character, formed not only by myself, but also by my wife and sister-in-law, after this ample period of observation.  We have found her perfectly honest and trustworthy in all respects; so that we have no hesitation in leaving every thing in the house at her disposal.  She had the entire charge of the house during our absence in Scotland for three months last autumn, and conducted herself in that charge with the utmost discretion and fidelity.  She is not, it is true, a very expert housemaid, nor capable of much hard work, (for her constitution appears to be a good deal broken,) but she is careful, industrious, and anxious to do her duty and to give satisfaction.  She is capable of strong attachments, and feels deep, though unobtrusive, gratitude for real kindness shown her.  She possesses considerable natural sense, and has much quickness of observation and discrimination of character.  She is remarkable for decency and propriety of conduct—­and her delicacy, even in trifling minutiae, has been a trait of special remark by the females of my family.  This trait, which is obviously quite unaffected, would be a most inexplicable anomaly, if her former habits had been so indecent and depraved as Mr. Wood alleges.  Her chief faults, so far as we have discovered them, are, a somewhat violent and hasty temper, and a considerable