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READER RESPONSES, 1881-93 1055

emancipation of his race, and to exult in the downfall in the United States of the
institution which can never be better described than as "the sum of all human
villainy."

The whole book is full of interest.

E.L.W.

[Untitled]. [Anon.]. Cleveland Leader, [n.d.], reprinted in Trenton Sentinel, 21
January 1882. Also reprinted in Washington, D.C. People's Advocate, 25 February
1882.

This book will gain instant recognition as one of the healthiest and most important
works ever contributed to American literature. It will take its place as a volume
indispcnsable in the complete records of our national history. The life struggle it
portrays will be erected as a standard of emulation to the youth and manhood of
America, who, without such examples, might well doubt the possibility of climbing
so high from a condition so low. And scarcely less important to the work and the
lesson it has to teach, it possesses advantages quite unparalleled for holding interest,
and stamping upon all classes of minds its inherent principles of freedom and manhood.
The narrative of Douglass's days of slavery and escape from bondage is hardly
less interesting than "Uncle Tom's Cabin," while the truth loses nothing in comparison
with the ideality of that work, and it carries its subject through a wider range of
accomplishment to a rank sufficiently exalted to win all admiration. It is needless to
speak of the literary style of the book: the accomplishments of the writer are known
to all who read Americans will be proud of this donation to their literature, and
thankful to Mr. Douglass that he has made it himself.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS. [Anon.]. Trenton Sentinel, 21 January 1882. Also
reprinted in Washington, D.C. People's Advocate, 25 February 1882.

Wc would invite attention to the advertisement of the Park Publishing Co., of
Hartford, Conn., who have recently issued the Autobiography of Frederick Douglass.
Our readers are all more or less acquainted with the history of Mr. Douglass and
should make themselves familiar with this book.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS. [Anon.]. New York Critic, 28 January 1882.

AN autobiography published in the lifetime of the author is rare enough to be
remarked upon. Ordinarily men do not care to put themselves in a position where
they will certainly be compelled to listen to a good deal of comment delivered with
perfect freedom, possibly not tempered with good nature- to a good deal of criticism
sure to be searching and not unlikely to be severe. An author may, like George
Eliot, read or not, as he pleases, the reviews of his books on any other subject than
his own life; but reviews of that, if he be in the flesh, he must read, whether he likes
it or not, for they may require replies which the public, as well as his own reputation,
has a right to demand. Here is reason enough why a man should wait till there is five