But am I, therefore, in his sight,

Respected more than they?

No;—'tis the hue of deeds and thoughts

He traces in his book;

'Tis the complexion of the heart

On which He deigns to look.

Not by the tinted cheek,

That fades away so fast,

But by the color of the soul,

We shall be judged at last.

[14]

[14]

BENJAMIN BANNEKER.

BY L. MARIA CHILD.

This remarkable man was born near the village of Ellicott's Mills, Baltimore County, Maryland, in 1732. That was one hundred and thirty-three years ago, when there were very few schools and very few books in this country, and when it was not as easy as it now is for even white people to obtain a tolerably good education. His parents were both black, and though they were free, they were too poor to do much for their bright boy. They sent him to a school in the neighborhood, where he learned reading and writing and a little of arithmetic.

His father was a slave at the time of his marriage, but his wife was a free woman; and she was so energetic and industrious, that she soon earned money enough to buy his freedom. Then they worked together, and earned enough to buy a few acres of land, and build a small cabin.

Benjamin was obliged to labor diligently when he was at home from school, but every spare moment he could catch he was ciphering, and planning how to make things. As his parents grew old, he had to work early and late, to support himself and 

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