-'U. -



istence. So delicate was his constitution that b
descriptive appellation of Farras-Biton, whit h might
dered in English by Little Lath. But with increase of ye
stripling hardened and strengthened his tramr by the sev
labors and the most violent exercises. At the age of twelve
surpassed all his equals in the plantation in bodily feats.
 The duty of the young slaves was definite and uniform. '1
were intrusted with the care of the flocks and herds. As a
itary and moral occnpatinn, a shepherd's lilf pivr-s time l
opportunity for tranquil meditation. By nature Fatras-Bl
was given to thought. His reflective and taciturn disposid
found appropriate nutriment on the rich upland? and under
brilliant skies of the land of his birth. A.~erutomed to tl
much more than he spoke. he acquired not only -lf.l-control,
also the power of concentrated reflection and conc;e sped
which, late in life, was one of his mot marked and most I
viceable characteristics.
 Pastoral occupations are favorable to an acquaintance i
 vegetable products. Touseaint's lather, I;ke other UAricans, i
 familiar with the healing virtues of many plants. These
 old man explained to his son, whose knowledge expanded
 the monotonous routine of his daily task. Thus did he obt
 a rude familiarity with simples, of whir h he al'-rward mad
 practical appliq ati-n. In thiq period, rwhn thI. youth was pl
 ing into the man, and when, a- w-ith all thoughtful persons,1
 mind becomes sensitively alive to things to come as well as
 things present, Toussaint mayhave formed the tirit dim a
 ception of the misery of sewritude, and the need of a liberal
 At present he lived with his follow-sufl;-rers in those nan
 low, and foul huts where regard to decency was impossible
 heard the twang of the driver'swhip, and saw the blood stre
 ing from the negro's body; he witnessed the Acparation of I
 euts an] children, and was made aware, by t~luJ many prm
 that in slav,-ry neither honme nor religion coull an.euniplish
 purposes. Noit imposs:ibly, then, it was at this tim:, that he I
 discerned the image of a distant duty rising beture his mia