cannot be finally or even approximately settled on the score of
superior literary competency, whether of aggressor or defender. I
feel free to ignore whatever verdict might be grounded on a
consideration so purely artificial. There ought to be enough, if not
in these pages, at any rate in whatever else I have heretofore
published, that should prove me not so hopelessly stupid and wanting
in [19] self-respect, as would be implied by my undertaking a contest
in artistic phrase-weaving with one who, even among the foremost of
his literary countrymen, is confessedly a master in that craft. The
judges to whom I do submit our case are those Englishmen and others
whose conscience blends with their judgment, and who determine such
questions as this on their essential rightness which has claim to the
first and decisive consideration. For much that is irregular in the
arrangement and sequence of the subject-matter, some blame fairly
attaches to our assailant. The erratic manner in which lie launches
his injurious statements against the hapless Blacks, even in the
course of passages which no more led up to them than to any other
section of mankind, is a very notable feature of his anti-Negro
production. As he frequently repeats, very often with cynical
aggravations, his charges and sinister prophecies against the sable
objects of his aversion, I could see no other course open to me than
to take him up on the points whereto I demurred, exactly how, when,
and where I found them.

My purpose could not be attained up without direct mention of, or
reference to, certain public [20] employes in the Colonies whose
official conduct has often been the subject of criticism in the
public press of the West Indies. Though fully aware that such
criticism has on many occasions been much more severe than my own
strictures, yet, it being possible that some special responsibility