Genre:

Essay, Travelogue

Subjects:

Race, Amusement

    In an account of the war-ravaged Confederate states of America, observes that 'it is rather amusing to sit for a short time in the [railway] car reserved for the niggers. They are a most ridiculous race of beings, and always appear to be caricaturing themselves. No representation of their manners can be too ridiculous or extravagant for the reality' (508). Remarks later that 'they are unaccountable beings, and always appear ready to laugh. I remember once seeing a lot of niggers sitting round a house which was being shelled, and on my remarking to their master, who was looking very mournful, that he was being shot at, they went into fits of laughter' (512).