HAMAN NEGG'S
RESTAURANT.
ICH DIEN OYSTERS IN EVERY STYLE.
There was one thing about this inscription that I did not understand, and says I to a chap near me:
"See here, my patriotic friend, what does this mean? What kind of things are Ich Dien Oysters?"
"Oh," says he, obligingly, "you do not understand the Hanoverian tongue. 'Ich Dien' is the Prince of Wales' motto, and means 'I serve.' The phrase 'Ich Dien Oysters in Every Style' means, 'I serve oysters in every style.'"
Then it was, my boy, that I saw in Mr. Negg's device the despised African's testimonial of gratitude to Great Britain for the recent reaction of anti-slavery sentiment there. A more delicate compliment, my boy, was never offered to the mother country, who has given us all at least 290[3]reasons for loving her.
And speaking of redeemed contrabands, reminds me of the new African hymn, which the more pious colored Americans of South Carolina might denominate
DE GREAT HALLELUGERUM.
"My mars'r's gwine away to fight