After some months' successful trial, he asked some of his neighbor planters what they thought of it then, and he appealed to than to say whether he did not get his work done as thoroughly and seasonably as they did theirs.

They were compelled to admit it; but still they were opposed to his system, even more than ever.

They called it an _innovation_--it was setting a bad example; and they honestly declared that they did not wish the slaves to _have any time of their own_.

Mr.
P.said, he was first induced to try the system of task work from a consideration that the negroes were men as well as himself, and deserved to he dealt with as liberally as their relation would allow.

He soon found that what was intended as a favor to the slaves was really a benefit to the master.