William J. Watkins in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia, Penn.,

Jan. 11th, 1858.

The event of last week here was a visit from William J. Watkins. He dropped down and among us, like the dawn of Truth, calmly, unheralded, unaccompanied, as one seeking reposed from the busy turmoil of public life. But the news of his arrival spread like wild fire, and ere the "shades of evening drew nigh," many of our citizens had sought him out, asking him to give an account of himself, and taking him to task severely for not having let us know of his intended visit before hand, that we might have received him in a becoming manner. Watkins rejoined that he was shivering from long continued and exhausting labors in the lecture field, and begged that in as much as he had not had a half week's repose for three months, he might be permitted to.

Stand a while form the publics gaze and recruit himself. Nevertheless the Ledger announced on the next succeeding day that W. J. Watkins assistant editor of Frederick Douglass Paper will give his eloquent address on the Anti-Slavery Movement and the objections urged against it, at Hurst st. A.M.E. Wesley Church. The notice was short, the night was a little rainy and there were also several other meetings, yet in spite of these obstacles, the church was excellently well filled, and in the main by our first citizens. Your old friend Rev. Stephen Smith presided with his usual dignity. A fervent prayer was offered by Rev. Jabez P. Campbell, who by the way is one of the truest, most sincere and upright friends of the cause, we over found. The President, introducing the orator of the evening, remarked that the lecture had both eagerly received in New York, and the Western States. Watkins now came forward, and opened his discourse with one of the finest and most strongly eloquent exordiums that ever was hoard in Philadelphia. Were we to say what we think of the whole speech, we should be charged with flattery; we therefore forbear further than to remark that it was logical yet splendidly eloquent, calm yet fiery and pathetic in an eminent degree; its neatness and compactness of logic, it is chaste, solid and firey eloquence completely suprised even the warmest friends of Watkins. He who could listen to such a masterly production, and then stamp him who gave it as of an inferior race, could scarce be found even in slaveholding, negro-hating Philadelphia. Though under the dome of a church, it was impossible for the audience to restrain

their warm approval of the magnificent periods with which the address was replete; the house frequently resounded with hearty rounds of applause.

In most excellent glee the house separated—not however without leaving in a very tangible form their "respects" for the eloquent vindicator of their race. Notwithstanding the hard times, Watkins it was understood, had pretty occular demonstration,—or as the German might say Den besten Beweis den der Tasche—of the most excellent effect of his address.

More anon,

NORMAL.