I was also curious about Mary’s use of Opium.  I know opium was used as medicine before morphine was popular, however I wonder as to how it was used.  In her diary, Mary said: “I quickly took opium…”, does this mean it was still in its seed form or was it processed into a liquid or pill? Or was smoking an appropriate behavior for women?  I was also very much intrigued by Mary’s very confusing ideas about slavery.  In one section she writes that “ours is a monstrous system & wrong & iniquity” and in yet another that” my countrywomen are as pure as angels- tho surrounded by another race who are- the social evil!”  She appears to think slavery is wrong, however at the same time she retains a very racist attitude that seems to oppose her earlier statement.  Maybe she ought to lay off the opium before she begins to ponder theoretical issues... -- Elyse Lawrence

I was also curious about Mary’s use of Opium.  I know opium was used as medicine before morphine was popular, however I wonder as to how it was used.  In her diary, Mary said: “I quickly took opium…”, does this mean it was still in its seed form or was it processed into a liquid or pill? Or was smoking an appropriate behavior for women?  I was also very much intrigued by Mary’s very confusing ideas about slavery.  In one section she writes that “ours is a monstrous system & wrong & iniquity” and in yet another that” my countrywomen are as pure as angels- tho surrounded by another race who are- the social evil!”  She appears to think slavery is wrong, however at the same time she retains a very racist attitude that seems to oppose her earlier statement.  Maybe she ought to lay off the opium before she begins to ponder theoretical issues... -- Elyse Lawrence