by Juvenis.
Originally published in The Literary Chronicle and Weekly Review (J. Limbird) vol.1 #27 (20 Nov 1819).
Benevolus is now in the decline of life, and, although he cannot be said to be completely free from the imperfections which are humanity's inseparable attendants, he is considered, by the extensive circle of his acquaintance, on account of his upright life, the benignity of his disposition and his urbane manners, as possessing, in an eminent degree, every quality that can exalt and dignify human nature. Qualities the most opposite, in him are happily blended; with the polish of the accomplished courtier, he unites the simplicity of the artless plebean; his justice, though rigid, is unattended with stoic calossity; piety finds in him a votary devoid of bigotry and forbidding moroseness. This is a correct outline of Benevolus's character, to fill up which, cannot be done to the desired extent; a few traits, however, will be given, which will, no doubt, convey to the reader a favourable opinion of our hero. Benevolus, called early in life from his native place to the West Indies, found himself in a country differing as much from his own in its manners and customs as in its climate and productions. He could not, for a considerable time, prevail on himself to remain in those regions where Afric's unoffending sons toil without remuneration, sigh unregarded, and die under the tortures of the pondrous scourge. Ardently desiring to ameliorate the condition of the sable race, he combated and eventually overcame his dislike to the West Indies. With the view of effecting this humane purpose, he determined to treat the slaves placed under his care with all the kindness and forbearance their unfortunate condition was susceptible of; but, at the same time, to maintain the strictest discipline among them. His orders and commands were few and easy to be performed, but were rendered fully efficient by the rigid and impartial manner in which they were enforced. He required nothing that militated against reason or humanity, and it was the interest as well as the duty of every individual to comply with his requisitions. By pursuing this mild and conciliating course, he effected infinitely more than the planters[1] who ruled their domestics with the rod of iron. This conduct was both pleasing and profitable to his employer, then in England, who did not fail to use his influence in behalf of his faithful agent. Benevolus, by his own industry and the assistance of his friend, soon became opulent. Order and regularity presided over his estate; his servants obeyed his commands more out of respect for their master than from the dread of punishment. He bore to them rather the relation of a kind father than that of an unrelenting master, a character by no means rare among the West India planters. During his stay in the West Indies, it was his happiness and highest ambition to make his dependants happy, and to induce his neighbours, by his precepts as well as his example, to ameliorate the condition of the unfortunate Africans, and he had the satisfaction to find that his endeavours were not altogether abortive. His example was followed by the most prudent and considerate planters, who have experienced that the system of which he is the founder, is fraught with incalculable advantages. Having returned to his native country, he continues to evince all that humanity, for which he was so remarkable beyond the Atlantic. His daily employment is to visit prisons, to smooth the pillow of the afflicted, to relieve the necessitous, and to be 'loco parentis' to the fatherless and the orphan. Benevolus, notwithstanding his admiration of 'the bard of Avon' and four other dramatic writers, derives much more pleasure from being instrumental in mitigating human woe, where it really exists, than in seeing it represented, however perfect that representation may be. He prefers the smiles of an approving conscience, with which he is favoured when engaged in lessening the sum of human misery, to all the boisterous laughter elicited by the comic muse. Ye sons of affluence, if you have hitherto been regardless of all but yourselves, let Benevolus's conduct stimulate you to exertion in behalf of your suffering fellow-creatures, and be persuaded that the inconveniences which necessarily attend the prosecution of this most laudable object will be more than compensated by the pleasing consciousness of having done your duty.
1. The farmers of the country,