Nay, oft, with quite a juggler's art,
He bids the proffer'd gift depart;
Sets some gay joy before our face,
Then claps a trouble in its place;
Turns up some loss for promis'd gain,
And conjures pleasure into pain.

Be wise, then, oh, ye worldly tribe,
Nor sell your conscience for a bribe;
When Satan tempts you to begin,
Resist him and refuse to sin:

Bad is the bargain on the whole,
To gain the world and lose the soul!

THE FEAST OF FREEDOM;

OR,

THE ABOLITION OF DOMESTIC SLAVERY IN

CEYLON:

WRITTEN TO COMMEMORATE THAT EVENT, WHICH TOOK PLACE ON HIS MAJESTY'S BIRTH-DAY, AUGUST 12. 1816.

INTRODUCTION.

THE following little Drama was written to commemorate the abolition of Domestic Slavery in the Island of Ceylon, in the Indian Ocean; Sir Alexander Johnston being President of His Majesty's Council.

Amongst various other measures which he adopted with equal ability and integrity, for raising the political, moral, and intellectual character of the inhabitants of that island, he obtained a charter from the crown to extend the right of sitting upon juries to all the natives of the country; a privilege possessed by no other natives in Asia.

In return for this boon, Sir Alexander urged them for many years to adopt some means for the gradual but effectual abolition of domestic slavery. In consequence of his suggestion upon this point, and the anxiety of the inhabitants to show themselves worthy of the privilege which had been granted them, the proprietors of domestic slaves came to a resolution, that all children born of their slaves after the 12th of August, 1816, should be free; thereby putting an end to the state of domestic slavery which had prevailed in Ceylon for three centuries.

The 12th of August was the day fixed upon by Sir Alexander for the commencement of the era of