Julia Griffiths to Frederick Douglass, February 27, 1857

For Frederick Douglass' Paper.

LETTERS FROM THE OLD WORLD.

Number XXXVIII.

WEST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE, Feb. 27th.

MY DEAR FRIEND:—I am "in that pleasant district of merry England which is watered by the river Don," where (Sir WALTER SCOTT tells us) "extended in ancient times, a large forest, covering the greater part of the beautiful hills and valleys which lie between Sheffield and the pleasant town of Doncaster." I visited Rotherham yesterday, and to day I have been climbing one of the heights which surround the town of Sheffield, and looking on the remains of this ancient and vast forest—where "haunted of yore the fabulous Dragon of Wantley—where were fought some of the most desperate battles during the Civil Wars of the Roses—and where flourished, in ancient times, those band of gallant outlaws, whose deeds have been rendered so popular in English song." When SCOTT wrote these lines, it possibly did not occur to him that he was investing this ancient forest with a charm unfelt before by the gazer, and that, in time to come, so long as there should stand the wide-branched oaks, flinging their gnarled arms over the "thick carpet of delicious green award"—and so long as one "rich grassy glade" of that wood should remain, for the sun to set upon, would the eye of imagination behold the faithful "Gurth, the son of Beourelph," and "Wamba, the son of Witless," bending their way to the home of their master, "Cedric the Saxon;" and the ear of imagination listen to the tramp of the horses that should bring before us the portly Prior Aymer, the stately Templar, Brian de Bois Guilbert, and their Saracenic attendants.

The great Northern Magician has cast his hand of enchantment over these regions—so 'tis no wonder that, as we look afar, over the noble seats of Wharncliffe Park, and Wentworth—their modern inhabitants are unthought of, for the theatre of the opening scenes of Ivanhoe lies before us.

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I told you, in my last, that I would write again when the Sheffield Ladies Anti-Slavery Society was formed—then I was sitting down snugly in "the Grange" drawing room, and had never been in Sheffield; rather more than a fortnight has elapsed, and last Wednesday, the formation of a large and influential Society was completed. In this association are numbered some of the old friends of the Negro—some who labored assiduously to promote his emancipation in our own West India Colonies, and who are now glad to aid the efforts making by Christian friends of the cause in the

United States for the colored man's freedom and elevation. I came to Sheffield at the kind invitation of Rev. BROOKE HERFORD, Unitarian minister, who (on meeting me at the house of a friend) told me, he thought there was but little doing for the cause in Sheffield, and that it would be a good place to form a Society. The result has proved him quite right; and, notwithstanding that much of the Sheffield trade is American, and some gold dust, from the Southern States, is, without doubt, thrown into the eyes of our manufacturers, when they wend their way to Charleston and Savannah, and that some questions were asked me about the "lawfulness" of aiding fugitive slaves (?) a Society, of which I feel quite proud, (consisting, more or less of all denominations, Scotch Presbyterians, ever true to the cause of freedom, and Unitarians inclusive,) is organized in Sheffield.

Many old friends of yours enquire for you in this town, and many hopes have been expressed that you may re-visit England soon. Partaking for some time of the kind hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. HERFORD, I am now the guest of Rev. HENRY BATCHELER, one of the leading Independent ministers in England just as ready to give me co-operation in my anti-slavery efforts, as were (and are) my much valued friends, the ministers of the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Indefatigable in the performance of their home duties, their sympathies extend wherever suffering humanity can be found, and are neither limited to the members of their respective churches, nor confined within the narrow limits of the parish in which they reside. To many of the ministers I feel most grateful, especially for immediate attention paid to important letters which have (unavoidably) reached them on their busy morning of Sunday.

On Tuesday evening, I attended the annual meeting and Soiree of "the Sheffield Sunday School Union." The Report was one of great interest. Many very especial references were made to that great and good man, JAMES MONTGOMERY, known far and wide as "the Bard of Sheffield;" as yet no monument has been erected to his memory in the town where, for so many years, he resided, and where he was universally beloved. The Sunday School teachers design to wipe off this reproach from Sheffield, by taking the lead in the erection of some memorial to the memory of this great friend and benefactor of Sunday Schools. I trust that immediate steps will be taken in this matter. Until my visit to Scotland, I was under the impression that Sheffield was the native place of him, who is usually called its bard; but when on my pilgrimage to the birthplace of BURNS, the kind friends who escorted me thither, pointed out to me the little town of Irvine, as the native spot of our Poet MONTGOMERY.

It is astonishing how many of our most brilliant luminaries are claimed by the good people

who live north of the Tweed. As they are, for the most part, correct in their assertions, on this subject, I found contention was useless, and submitted with the best grace possible! MONTGOMERY doubtless brought his genius with him, from the "land of the mountain and the flood," his native land; yet, as England was the land of his adoption, she it is that should do fitting homage to the memory of one of the sweetest of her Christian poets.

HUDDERSFIELD, March 13th.

My letter has been set aside, and I have been so much occupied to complete it.

Part of last week I spent with our kind friends, Rev. R. L. and Mrs. CARPENTER. While at Halifax, I had the pleasure of meeting and taking tea with the ladies of the Emancipation Society, and had much interesting conversation with them on anti-slavery matters. I do into think proper to introduce antagonisms into these rapidly written, light, sketchy effusions, or I might just here say a word of want of straightforwardness, and of the underworkings of those anti-slavery Jesuits, who spare no pains to misrepresent good actions, and to impugn the motives of those who perform them, because they have not catholicity of mind, and largeness of heart to see good beyond their own particular Society. When I find time to write a course of anti-slavery letters, these matters and people shall be duly attended to, if they have not, meanwhile, attended to themselves!—Since

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Who by, aspirations throw a stone

At the head of others, hit their own.

I had also last week a pleasant reunion with my kind Bradford friends. The Society there was only reorganized in December last, and already have these indefatigable friends handed me thirty pounds donations to Frederick Douglass` Paper, and fifteen pounds for fugitive slaves. Especial acknowledgements are due to these ladies, from the Editor of the Paper, and from the Rochester Ladies Society.

I am now the guest of the Rev. Dr. CROFTS, a minister who sojourned for many years in Canada, and who is well known to many of my kind friends there. I have had three meetings with the ladies in this pretty little town; and this morning, the Huddersfield Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society was inaugurated. The Vicar's lady kindly consents to be President, and a very fine and large Society it is over which she will preside. Filled as Huddersfield is with societies for the advancement of every good work, I feel grateful to the ladies for consenting to make way for this new benevolent object. By the next steamer you will, doubtless, receive a copy of the Constitution of the Society.

The month of February was, for the most part, so mild that, 'tis no wonder the cold winds are

now sweeping, in fitful gusts, over those Yorkshire hills to remind us that winter is here. I greatly enjoy the bold scenery of West Riding; a summer's tour would be delightful in this country; but winter is the season for finding ladies at home, and enlisting them in active service.

I must not forget to tell you, that, both from my near and distant friends, I am receiving the gratifying intelligence that they deem your paper greatly improved in every respect, since it became smaller, and in this opinion I fully concur.

The Chinese war—the defeat of Ministers on that subject—the dissolution of Parliament, and the coming elections, are the general subjects of conversation just now; as the papers make you and your readers acquainted with all public matters, I rarely refer them to you. My letter is strangely abrupt; but you must take the will for the deed. I find it quite impossible to fulfil the claims of my ever encreasing correspondence. I have formed thirteen new Ladies Anti-Slavery Societies since I recrossed the Atlantic, and have met twelve Ladies A. S. Associations already in existence. I trust that a blessing from on High, will rest on these humble efforts, made in behalf of an enslaved and deeply injured race; and we know that if our Heavenly Father blesses, none can reverse it.

With regards to all my kind friends in Rochester, I remain, as always, truly your friend,

JULIA GRIFFITHS.