love and esteem of his master, and he was soon promoted to offices of trust and honor. He was also indulged with a garden which he called his own, and was allowed sufficient leisure to cultivate it. He was highly respected by his fellow-negroes on the plantation, and over the island of St. Domingo.

3. He was sedate in manner, and exceedingly patient, being possessed of an evenness of temper which scarcely any thing seemed capable of disturbing. He was also noted for his benevolence. In person he was of about the middle hight, with a robust constitution. At the age of twenty-five he was happily married to a young woman of his own color, to whom he was always faithful and affec

tionate.

4. Toussaint himself gives the following account of his domestic happiness: "We labored in the fields, my wife and I, hand in hand, and were scarcely conscious of fatigue. Heaven always blessed our toil, giving us not only an abundance for our own wants, but the pleasure of bestowing food on our fellowblacks who needed it. This I greatly enjoyed.

5. "On the Sabbath and on festival days we went to church, my wife, my parents, and myself. Returning to our cottage, after a pleasant meal, we spent the rest of the day as a family together, and closed it by prayer, in which all took part." Thus religion hallowed pleasure, and made their home the abode of pure domestic and social joy.

6. The young couple had several children, who were well brought up, and fondly loved, and who

lived to adorn the prosperity of their parents, as well as to feel and suffer with them when overtaken by adversity and sorrow. Toussaint was, through all these days of quiet domestic joy, a slave, and remained such until he was forty-eight years old.

Toussaint L'Ouverture, | domestic, at home.

pronounced Too-sang Loo-ver

ture.

geometry, science of forms.

adversity, suffering.

robust, strong.

hallow, to make holy.
sedate, sober.

extraordinary, uncommon.

WA

the French and Spaniards, involving both the free people of color and the slaves, Toussaint joined his brethren in arms, and stepped in a moment from slavery to freedom. Yet, while struggling for the rights of his race, he had no feelings of revenge to gratify, but was the same amiable and charitable person as ever.

2. When his late master and family were in danger he risked his own life for their escape, sent them to a safe retreat in America, with provision for their support, and afterwards remitted to them not only all

he could save from the wreck of their fortune, but also valuable additions from his own property.

3. In the army of his countrymen, Toussaint at once took a leading rank. He had gained some medical knowledge by his reading and observation; and that, combined with the military skill which he displayed, early led to his appointment as physician to the forces. But his rare genius for commanding troops soon raised him to the rank of colonel.

4. When, in 1794, the French Government proclaimed all the slaves in St. Domingo free, and declared that island a part of France, Toussaint put several Spanish posts into the hands of the French commander there, and was made Brigadier General. The influence which he speedily obtained over the released slaves whom he commanded was wonderful.

5. The French commander, Laveaux, who had given Toussaint his present appointment, was slow to appreciate the character of his negro officer; yet it is creditable to him, that when he came to know Toussaint thoroughly, he treated him with the same respect that he would any European of like position and ability. He soon appointed him his lieutenant governor, and all the military and civil affairs in St. Domingo were under his management.

6. The first use which he made of his power was to establish order and discipline among the blacks. To this they readily submitted; and peace and prosperity in that beautiful island were the result of his incessant and most benevolent labors. Unsullied integrity was a prominent trait of this St. Domingo

hero; and he was never known to connive at fraud in others.

7. His love of truth was so remarkable, that it was a proverb among his people that their leader "never broke his word." Another, and most unusual trait in one who had risen from a lowly position to rank and power, was his forgiving spirit. Those who had done him cruel wrong, after being shown the enormity of their conduct, were generously pardoned.

TOUS

prosperity. As Governor of the Island, and Commander-in-Chief of all the French and native forces, he gave the whole weight of his example and influence in favor of virtue and religion. He frowned upon the vicious; and only noticed with favor the modest, the quiet, the diligent soldier and citizen.

2. His public levees were patterns of order and decorum; and the best private societies in Europe were not superior in manners to his evening parties. Yet, though his surroundings and retinue were splendid, Toussaint himself was simple in his dress, his food, and all his habits. Cakes and fruit, with a glass of water, made him a good meal.

3. Every part of St. Domingo was in quiet subjection to his rule; commerce and finance prospered; the island gained rapidly in wealth; the negroes worked faithfully on the plantations; and, receiving the wages of their labor, were contented, obedient, and industrious. They submitted to wise regulations and necessary authority; and, being free, were satisfied and happy.

4. Thus, through the genius, wisdom, and efforts of Toussaint L'Ouverture, a nation of freedmen had been created out of negro slaves; and their leader had succeeded in teaching them that virtue, order, industry, and necessary self-restraint, were, under God, the only and sufficient guaranty of civil and social liberty.

5. But the noble and distinguished career of this good and great man was soon to close; and his sun, when at the brightest, to set suddenly in darkness. The restless ambition of Napoleon Bonaparte plunged the lovely and peaceful island of St. Domingo again into a fierce and cruel war.

6. To carry out his plans he found it necessary to break down the influence of Toussaint L'Ouverture; and he could do this only by destroying him. So he