Many of the young calkers could read, write and cipher.

Some of them had high notions about mental improvement; and the free ones, on Fell's Point, organized what they called the _"East Baltimore Mental Improvement Society."_ To this society, notwithstanding it was intended that only free persons should attach themselves, I was admitted, and was, several times, assigned a prominent part in its debates.

I owe much to the society of these young men.
The reader already knows enough of the _ill_ effects of good treatment on a slave, to anticipate what was now the case in my improved condition.

It was not long before I began to show signs of disquiet with slavery, and to look around for means to get out of that condition by the shortest route.

I was living among _free_{247} _men;_ and was, in all respects, equal to them by nature and by attainments.