The transition from degradation to respectability was indeed great, and to get from one to the other without carrying some marks of one's former condition, is truly a difficult matter.

I would not have you think that I am now entirely clear of all plantation peculiarities, but my friends here, while they entertain the strongest dislike to them, regard me with that charity to which my past life somewhat entitles me, so that my condition in this respect is exceedingly pleasant.

So far as my domestic affairs are concerned, I can boast of as comfortable a dwelling as your own.

I have an industrious and neat companion, and four dear children--the oldest a girl of nine years, and three fine boys, the oldest eight, the next six, and the youngest four years old.

The three oldest are now going regularly to school--two can read and write, and the other can spell, with tolerable correctness, words of two syllables.
Dear fellows! they are all in comfortable beds, and are sound asleep, perfectly secure under my own roof.