1 Had he the command of thunder, there can be no doubt that he would long before now have cleared a troublesome quarter.

2

3 If the abettors of the Slave trade Bill should think they are too harshly treated in this Poem, let them consider how they should feel if their estates were threatened by an agrarian law; (no unplausible measure) and let them make allowances for the irritation which themselves have occasioned.

4 That the Africans are in a state of savage wretchedness, appears from the most authentic accounts. Such being the fact, an abolition of the slave trade would in truth be precluding them from the first step towards progressive civilization, and consequently of happiness, which it is proved by the most respectable evidence they enjoy in a great degree in our West-India islands, though under well-regulated restraint. The clamour which is raised against this change of their situation, reminds us of the following passage in one of the late Mr. Hall’s ‘Fables for Grown Gentlemen.’

5 The question now agitated in the British Parliament concerning slavery, is illustrated with great information, able argument, and perspicuous expression, in a work entitled, “Doubts on the Abolition of the Slave Trade, by an Old Member of Parliament;” printed for Stockdale, in Picadilly, 1790. It is ascribed to John Ranby, Esq.

That the evils of the Slave Trade should, like the evils incident to other departments of civil subordination, be humanely remedied as much as may be, every good man is convinced; and accordingly we find that great advances have been gradually made in that respect, as may be seen in various publications, particularly the evidence taken before the Privy-Council. It must be admitted, that in the course of the present imprudent and dangerous attempt to bring about a total abolition, one essential advantage has been obtained, namely, a better mode of carrying the slaves from Africa to the West-Indies; but surely this might have been had in a less violent manner.

6 Diogenes being discovered in the street in fond intercourse with one of those pretty misses whom Sir William Dolben dislikes, steadily said, “Φυτενω Ανδρας—I plant men.”

7 Manchester Petition.

8 Some of the Scottish Presbyteries petitioned.

9 Risum teneatis amici. Horat.

10 When I forget Him, may God forget me!

11 Mira cano, Sol occubuit, nox nulla sequuta. See Camden’s Remains.

12 The state of slavery is acknowledged both in the Old Testament and the New.

13 The great Dr. Bentley was Mr. Cumberland’s grandfather.

14 Mr. Cumberland is a descendant of Bishop Cumberland, who wrote De legibus NaturÆ.

15 Messieurs Carpmeal, Macmanus, Jealous, and Townshend, gentlemen of the Publick Office, in Bow-Street.

16 Sir William Young has a series of pictures, in which the negroes in our plantations are justly and pleasingly exhibited in various scenes.

17 The Angola blacks are the most ferocious. The author does not boast, like Abyssinian Yakoob, “of no ungracious figure”: nor does he, like another beau garÇon, Mr. Gibbon, prefix his pleasing countenance to captivate the ladies.