Chapter I: Preface

IN presenting this work to the public, we are fully conscious of the grave charges of misrepresenting society, and misconstruing facts, which will be made by our friends of the South, and its very peculiar institution; but earnestly do we enjoin all such champions of "things as they are," to read and well digest what is here set before them, believing that they will find the TRUTH even "stranger than fiction." And, as an incentive to the noble exertions of those, either North or South, who would rid our country of its "darkest, foulest blot," we would say, that our attempt has been to give a true picture of Southern society in its various aspects, and that, in our judgment, the institution of Slavery is directly chargeable with the various moral, social and political evils detailed in OUR WORLD.

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS.

I. Marston's Plantation, II. How a Night was spent on Marston's Plantation III. Things not so bright as they seem IV. An Unexpected Confession V. The Marooning Party VI. Another Scene in Southern Life VII. "Buckra-Man very Uncertain," VIII. A Cloud of Misfortune hangs over the Plantation IX. Who is Safe against the Power? X. Another Shade of the Picture, XI. Mrs. Rosebrook's Project, XII. Elder Pemberton Praiseworthy Changes his Business, XIII. A Father tries to be a Father, XIV. In which Extremes are Presented, XV. A Scene of Many Lights, XVI. Another Phase of the Picture, XVII. Pleasant Dealings with Human Property, XVIII. A not uncommon Scene slightly changed, XIX. They are going to be Sold, XX. Let us follow poor Human Nature to the Man Shambles, XXI. A Father's Trials, XXII. We Change with Fortune, XXIII. The Vicissitudes of a Preacher, XXIV. How we Manufacture Political Faith, XXV. Mr. M'Fadden sees Shadows of the Future, XXVI. How they stole the Preacher, XXVII. Competition in Human Things, XXVIII. The Pretty Children are to be Sold, XXIX. Nature Shames Itself, XXX. The Vision of Death is Past, XXXI. A Friend is Woman, XXXII. Marston in Prison, XXXIII. Venders of Human Property are not Responsible for its Mental Caprices, XXXIV. A Common Incident shortly told, XXXV. The Children are Improving, XXXVI. Workings of the Slave System, XXXVII. An Item in the Common Calendar, XXXVIII. In which Regrets are shown of little Worth, XXXIX. How we should all be Forgiving, XL. Containing Various Matters, XLI. Nicholas's Simple Story, XLII. He would Deliver her from Bondage, XLIII. Other Phases of the Subject, XLIV. How Daddy Bob Departed, XLV. How Slaveholders Fear each other, XLVI. Southern Administration of Justice, XLVII. Prosperity the Result of Justice, XLVIII. In which the Fate of Franconia is seen, XLIX. In which is a Sad Recognition, L. In which a Dangerous Principle is Illustrated, LI. A Continuation of the Last Chapter, LII. In which are Pleasures and Disappointments, LIII. A Familiar Scene, in which Pringle Blowers has Business, LIV. In which are Discoveries and Pleasant Scenes, LV. In which is a Happy Meeting, some Curious Facts Developed, and Clotild History Disclosed, LVI. In which a Plot is Disclosed, and the Man-Seller made to Pay the Penalty of his Crimes,

OUR WORLD.