The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-09-23
A JERSEY NEGRO IN ENGLAND.

The Trenton Gazette tells the following
story Of colored man who formerly lvet
in that town; Captain Jones :--as he is some
times called, for many years, was one o
The best hod-carriers in this city. He had
figured some among his own folks, in public
discussions, but felt that his genius was toe
much confined, and was not properly ap
preciated here, and so he resolved 10 try
bis fortunes in another country. He went
to England, and after serving in some sub
ordinate capacities there, he conceived the
idea taking the field as public lecturer.
The scarcity of colored folks in England,
and the decided novel exhibition Of an A
merican colored man holding forth to an
audience, took like wild fire. Jones soon
found himselfa lion among the beefeating
John Bulls. He lectured to crowded au-
diences 10 Manchester, and the Mayor and
many distinguished and influential men
we're present. Jones gave description Of
slavery in his own country, opened rich on
the vice Of drunkenness, and by reciting
,he many peculiari,es Of the white and
black people of America, made up dec-
ledly interesting lecture. which created
sensation throughout all Manchester. He
found himself the owner Of ESQ, the re-
suit Of his new species Of labor. He found
persons willing to hire him on speculation.
who, after paying him from ten to twenty
pounds realized something handsome for
themselves, after paying all expenses.
Jones returned TO his own country with a
"pocket full Of rocks" and with letters
verifying his extraordinary success. lie
says he is offered one hundred pounds, be-
sides bis expenses, as regular annual
salary for lecturing TO the people Of Eng
land. His appearance in our city took all
his former associates aback, and when the,
saw him flourish his eagles, halfengies and
sovercigns, they we're COMPOUNDED. Jones
did one thing which speaks well for him
lie settled up all the old scores against
him, and also paid of some debts for which
he became surety. lie has gathered his
family together, and gone back 10 England.
Capt. Jones is one in thousand.
81 CANNOT Sw1M"-lhis was the ago
nizing ejaculation of hundreds, as they lei
themselves down into the water from the
Henry Clay. cannot swim! What a
terrible thought TO one on board burning
vessel. We can imagine nothing more so.
The idea that you must sink down helpless,
hopeless, into the dark waters, and have
them close over you for ever, is the most
horrid Of all conceivable things. How diff.
torent TO one who leaps with perfect conf
dence into the deep, sinks for moment
bencnth the surface, comes up, throws the
water from his locks, and strikes out bold
ly for the shore. lie laughs at danger,
and saves his life, amid the agony and ter
We do not know how we should have acted
or fe. had we been on board the Henry
Clay, but we know that we can swim o
dozen times around her hull, as she lies,
snd do not believe we would have let any
moro danger Of drowning, than when boy
we threw ourselves from the dock.
We cannot remember the time when we
could not swim, and we owe it 10 mother
who was not afraid to have child out OF
tho reach Of her hand before he was Of age.
We early learned self.dcpendence and the
pld Yankee maxim stake care Of YOURSELF" !"
and these have nyailed us 10 many emer-
gences and dangers.
Every boy and girl should learn to swim.
1t costs nothing, not even trouble, and is
worth more than all the Latin and music
ever learned. A good swimmer is not
likely to be frightened out Of his senses,
and in cases Of imminent danger, his SER
vices nre available in more ways than one.
By all means learn to swim.
N. Y. Day Book.