At this performance, be it observed, the chief actor uttered everything first in English, and then in French, in the same breath, thereby giving the proceedings a most strange and comical sound.

Abraham, although on the advertisement, was not present.

Sancho, a black man, twenty-seven years of age, was the next in order.  He was described as “an excellent carpenter—­excellent charpentier—­can do anything but fine work—­fully guaranteed free from the maladies and vices provided against by law;” and, as nobody would bid higher, he also was bought in by the fat man at 1,025 dollars.

George, a black man, twenty-seven years of age, was the next to mount the platform.  George kept his eyes fixed upon the dome, as if he felt above looking down on the grovelling creatures beneath him.  He was a stout-built, thick-set man, who evidently felt to the very core the degradation to which he was exposed.  “Now, gentlemen, let me sell you George—­a first-rate bricklayer—­excellent poseur de briques—­bears an excellent character—­only he absconded once from his master for a few days.  How much do you offer for him?” The bidding began at 500 dollars; but George, like his predecessors, was bought in at 980 by the fat man, who protested him to be well worth 1,500.

Squires—­whom I questioned about doors, sash-windows, and staircases—­was next put up.  He was said to be twenty-eight years of age; but I think he was nearer forty.  On his forehead was a deep scar, occasioned by some severe cut.  He appeared to be a very good-tempered man, and by his smiling looks seemed to say, “Buy me, and I’ll serve you well.”  “What will you offer for Squires, gentlemen?—­an excellent carpenter—­can trim a house—­all but the very fine work—­bears an excellent character—­is fully guaranteed,” &c. &c.  “Who bids for Squires?” Poor fellow! he was sold for 900 dollars.

Sancho was put up again, the fat man observing that he had made a mistake in offering a reserve bid for him—­that he would be sold without reserve.  He was put up at 600 dollars.  The biddings gradually ascended to 900, and there stood, till, after a considerable expenditure of the Frenchman’s breath and talent, Sancho was knocked down at 900 dollars, though when first put up 1,025 had been offered for him.

John, a black man, twenty-five years of age, “an excellent French and American cook—­excellent cuisinier Francais et Americain,” was put up at 600 dollars, and, after the usual quantity of the Frenchman’s eloquence, (accompanied, as in all other cases, by the constant rubbing of his tuft of chin-beard with the left hand, while in the right he flourished a fine massive gold pencil-case and a sheet of paper,) fetched 775 dollars, at which price he was knocked down to one Robert Murphy.

Silas also, a black boy, fifteen years of age, a house-servant, with a large scar on the right cheek, was sold for 670 dollars to Robert Murphy; who likewise became the purchaser of Scipio, a black man about twenty-four years of age, “an excellent cook, fully warranted in every respect,” for 705 dollars.