I have often, particularly on a Sunday, met groups of negroes, elegantly dressed; and have been sometimes been amused by observing the very superior air of gallantry assumed by the men, when in attendance on their "belles", to that of the whites in similar circumstances. On one occasion we met in Broadway a young negress in the extreme of the fashion, and accompanied by a black beau, whose toilet was equally studied; eye-glass, guard-chain, nothing was omitted; he walked beside his sable goddess uncovered, and with an air of the most tender devotion. At the window of a handsome house which they were passing, stood a very pretty white girl, with two gentlemen beside here; but alas! both of them had their hats on, and one was smoking!
Fanny Trollope, Domestic Manners of the Americans.
Was that the book where she hired a servant and when the day of heavy labour came, the servant turned up with her mother's slave in tow?
Posted by: dearieme | Friday, April 27, 2007 at 05:14 PM