The Black Man: His Antecedents, His Genius, and His AchievementsBrown, William Wells
History
The Black Man: His Antecedents, His Genius, and His Achievements
Brown, William Wells
African Americans -- Biography
"It was while in these rambles with my companions that I became the
victim of the slave-trader. We were tied with cords and taken to
Tegla, and thence to Kordofan, which is under the jurisdiction of the
Pacha of Egypt. From Kordofan I was brought down to Dongola and Korti,
in Nubia, and from thence down the Nile to Cairo; and, after being
sold nine times, I became the property of an English gentleman, who
brought me to this country and put me into school. But he died before I
finished my education, and his family feeling no interest in me, I had
to seek a living as best I could. I have been employed for some years
to distribute handbills for a barber in Cheapside in the morning, go
to Chelsea and sweep a crossing in the afternoon, and sing psalms and
sell religious tracts in the evening. Sometimes I have an engagement
to perform at some of the small theatres, as I had when you saw me at
the Eagle. I preach for this little congregation over here, and charge
them nothing; for I want that the poor should have the gospel without
money and without price. I have now given up distributing bills; I have
settled my son in that office. My eldest daughter was married about
three months ago; and I have presented her husband with the Chelsea
crossing, as my daughter's wedding portion." "Can he make a living at
it?" I eagerly inquired. "O, yes; that crossing at Chelsea is worth
thirty shillings a week, if it is well swept," said he. "But what do
you do for a living for yourself?" I asked. "I am the leader of a
band," he continued; "and we play for balls and parties, and three
times a week at the Holborn Casino." "You are determined to rise," said
I. "Yes," he replied,--
'Upward, onward, is my watchword;
Though the winds blow good or ill,
Though the sky be fair or stormy,
This shall be my watchword still.'"
By this time we had reached a point where we had to part; and I left
Joseph Jenkins, impressed with the idea that he was the greatest genius
that I had met in Europe.
JOHN S. ROCK.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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