The love of pleasure and excitement which seems in a large measure
to possess the French people impressed itself upon me. I think they
are more noted in this respect than is true of the people of my own
race. In point of morality and moral earnestness I do not believe
that the French are ahead of my own race in America. Severe
competition and the great stress of life have led them to learn to do
things more thoroughly and to exercise greater economy; but time, I
think, will bring my race to the same point. In the matter of truth
and high honour I do not believe that the average Frenchman is ahead
of the American Negro; while so far as mercy and kindness to dumb
animals go, I believe that my race is far ahead. In fact, when I left
France, I had more faith in the future of the black man in America
than I had ever possessed.
From Paris we went to London, and reached there early in July,
just about the height of the London social season. Parliament was in
session, and there was a great deal of gaiety. Mr. Garrison and other
friends had provided us with a large number of letters of
introduction, and they had also sent letters to other persons in
different parts of the United Kingdom, apprising these people of our
coming. Very soon after reaching London we were flooded with
invitations to attend all manner of social functions, and a great many
invitations came to me asking that I deliver public addresses.
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