on the morning of the eighth day, while walking on the strand, I was rudely assaulted by a person who had known me from my infancy.  I had always supposed him to be a gentleman, and was therefore greatly surprised and shocked.  But slavery is relentless; it ruins both the morals and the manners.  This individual, after belaboring me in a savage manner, gave me distinctly to understand that unless I left Virginia speedily, I might find myself in trouble.  He afterwards remarked, as I understood, to his friends that “this Allen has been off to an abolition college and returned among us.  Let us look out for him.”

I took the hint; and on the next morning secured the services of a party who rowed me off in a small canoe to a vessel lying in the harbor, where I bargained with the captain, who, for a handsome sum, consented to take me quietly out of the state.  I left Virginia at once, and have never returned to it since, though I would gladly have done so, as relatives and friends near and dear to me have since died, by the side of whose death beds I desired to stand.  In conclusion I have only to say that were I in the United States of America to-morrow, it would be more than my life or liberty would be worth to put foot upon the soil of my native state.  Is this freedom?  If it be, then give me slavery indeed.

A word or two with regard to my course in this country.  Hitherto my income has been derived solely from lectures, tuitions, and such other odds and ends of work in my line as my hands could find to do.  I desire a more permanent settlement for myself and family, and hope that the sale of this little narrative may help to create means to that end.

I send it forth therefore, desiring that it may stand upon its own merits, at the same time earnestly hoping that it may interest all into whose hands it may fall.

  From LORD SHAFTESBURY.

“Lord Shaftesbury sympathizes most heartily with Professor Allen and sincerely wishes him success in his undertaking.  It will give Lord Shaftesbury great pleasure to assist, in any way that he can, a gentleman of the colored race, who is a hundred times wiser and better than his white oppressors.

“LONDON, July, 1854.”

From Rev. I. G. Abeltshauser, LL.D.  Trinity College,
Dublin, and others;—­

“DUBLIN, 14th April, 1856.

“The undersigned having made due enquiry from the most trustworthy sources relative to the character and attainments of Professor William G. Allen, have much pleasure in recommending him as a gentleman of high attainments and honorable character.

I. G. ABELTSHAUSER, Clk.  LL.D.  Trin.  Col.  Dub. 
WM. URWICK, D. D. 40, Rathmines Road, Dublin. 
JAMES HAUGHTON, 35 Eccles-street, Dublin. 
RICHARD ALLEN, Sackville-street, Dublin. 
JONATHAN PIM, 22, William-street, Dublin. 
JOHN EVANS, M. D. 38, Richmond-street, Dublin. 
R. D. WEBB, 176, Great Brunswick-street, Dublin. 
JOHN R. WIGHAM, 36, Capel-street, Dublin.”