Frederick Douglass, the Orator - Monroe County Library System

Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection
3O6 LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
How often have I heard him speak, as I have
sat with him on the front porch of his beautiful
home, or under the trees on the hill-side, with
the lovely landscape stretching out on all sides
around us,—of the pleasure which it gave him,
the satisfaction, how it rested him to commune
with nature.
I might also speak of his love of music,—his
passionate love of music,—especially the music
of the violin. He had a kind of reverence for
that instrument. It seemed to him almost like a
living thing. How lovingly he handled it! With
what enthusiasm he spoke of it! He could hardly
resist the temptation of speaking to a man who
carried a violin. He used to say, "No man can
be an enemy of mine who loves the violin." He
never missed an opportunity of hearing a great
violinist. He heard them all. It was his favorite
instrument. Not even Paganini himself had
a more passionate love for it. He delighted also
in vocal music, especially in sacred music,—in
the old hymns of Zion that breathe the sentiment
of love, of trust, and of hope. One of his favorite
hymns was "Jesus my Saviour to Bethlehem
Came," with the refrain, " Seeking for Me."
" Oh, it was wonderful, blest be His name,
Seeking for me, for me."
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