They were there under the arbitrary will of a cruel task-master from morning till night.

When they went to rest, would not their dreams be frightful?
When they awoke, would they not awake, -- --"only to discover sights of woe, Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace And rest can never dwell, hope never comes That comes to all; but torture without end Still urges ?"---- They knew no change, except in the humour of their masters, to whom their whole destiny was entrusted.

We might perhaps flatter ourselves with saying, that they were subject to the will of Englishmen.

But Englishmen were not better than others, when in possession of arbitrary power.

The very fairest exercise of it was a never-failing corrupter of the heart.