Note 4 — UNCLE TOM’S CABIN.

Topsy—an incomparable sketch—excited at first sight no pleasureable sensations in good, starched Miss Ophelia. “Now, Augustine (Mr St Clare), what upon earth is this for? Your house is so full of these little plagues already, that a body can’t set their foot down without treading on ’em! I get up in the morning, I find one asleep behind the door, see one black head poking out from under the table, one lying on the door-mat; and they are mopping, and mowing, and grinning between all the railings, and tumbling over the kitchen floor! What on earth did you want to bring this one for?”

“For you to educate—didn’t I tell you? You’re always preaching about educating. I thought I would make you a present of a fresh-caught specimen, and let you try your hand on her, and bring her up in the way she should go!... The fact is, this concern (!) belonged to a couple of drunken creatures, that kept a low restaurant which I have to pass every day, and I am tired of hearing her screaming, and them beating and swearing at her. She looked bright and funny, too, as if something might be made of her; so I bought her (!) and I’ll give her to you. Try, now—and give her a good orthodox New England bringing up, and see what it’ll make of her!”

“Well—I’ll do what I can,” said Miss Ophelia; and she approached her new subject, very much as a person might be supposed to approach a black spider—supposing him to have benevolent designs towards it!