The Elopement. A Tale of the Confederate States of America.
By L. Fairfax. (W. Freeman.)—Mr. Fairfax—for, in our entire ignorance on the point, we give the author of this volume the credit of belonging
to the worthier gender—appears to be an individual of Southern ex- traction, who is indignant at the idea that whatever aid fiction can afford should have been hitherto given exclusively to the opponents of slavery, and has resolved to enlist that powerful agent on the side of the peculiar institution. Accordingly, he has written a story, the object of which is to counteract the vulgar errors which are unfortunately so widely
spread respecting the condition of the slaves in the Southern States of America. We need scarcely, say that, according to him, the condition
of the slave is one of extraordinary and quite exceptional happiness.
At least, it would be so, were it not for the machinations of Yankee abolitionist agents, who, "alluring him by promises of protection and
an idle life in the North, lead him to ruin." If a slave ever is Ill-treated it is always done by a Yankee overseer, who would infallibly be dis- missed on the spot, were it not that his master invariably happens to
be travelling in Europe, and so knows nothing of the matter. It is quite notorious that "slaves are never sold. except when some great calamity overtakes a family, and deprives them of the means of providing for their servants." Finally, "it is impossible that any slave was ever tied to a stake to be burned. No slaveholder is permitted to abuse a slave, even by overwhipping. There are more slaves ill-treat their masters, than masters their slaves ; but a case of cruelty is rare on either side." After the really sublime audacity of this last assertion, it may, perhaps, seem unkind to draw attention to the fact that, regarded.
a of art, Mr. Fairfax's story is a very poor production indeed, _rives anything but a favourable notion of the influence exercised by - peculiar institution on the literary culture of those who are fortunate mon& to live under its shadow.
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