If the volume now presented to the public were a mere work of ART, the history of its  misfortune might be written in two very simple words—TOO LATE. The nature and  character of slavery have been subjects of an almost endless variety of artistic representation;  and after the brilliant achievements in that field, and while those achievements are yet fresh  in the memory of the million, he who would add another to the legion, must possess the  charm of transcendent excellence, or apologize for something worse than rashness.