The Comedy of the Day - Chip Off the Old Block

Farron: Douglas is using comedy sometimes in very political ways. In 1847 while staying at Newcastle, Douglas befriended the Quaker sisters and they negotiated to legally buy his freedom from Hugh Auld. They did this without involving Douglas, and some abolitionists argued that paying for freedom reinforced the legitimacy of the system. So these two women decided to buy his freedom so he can return home to his wife and kids. Farron: Anna had been single-handedly looking after their five kids, all on a lowly maid's wage for two years. But she first helped him escape Maryland, and then when he's in the UK, they donated by his British friends found an absolute rock star.