A Pedestrian Tour of two thousand three hundred miles in North America. Embellished with views

Front matter

UPPER CHASM OK FALL RIVER A PEDESTRIAN ®®w^ OF Two Thousand Three Hundred Mile*, IN NORTH AMERICA. To the Lakes, — The Canadas, — And the New-England States. PERFORMLD IV THE AUTUMN OP 1821. Embellished with Views. BY P. STAIS'SBURY. NEW-YORK : PUBLISHED AND SOLD BY J. D. MYERS & W. SMITH, NO. 59 FULTON STREET. 1822. Southern District of New-York, ssi. flTs") "RE IT REMEMBERED, 1hat on the sixtWday of DeeemOe' \^^r-Zi J3in the forty-sixth year of Ihe Independence of the United Suites of America, J. D. Myer» & W. Smith, of the said District, have deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof they <,laim as proprietors, in the words and figures following, to wit : UA Pedestrian Tour of Two Thousand Three Hundred Miles, in <4North America. To the Lakes, — The Canadas, — and the New " England States.

Performed in the Autumn, of 1821. Embellished "with.Views. By P. Stansbury." In conformity to the Act of Ihe Congress ofthe United States, en titled u An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the time therein mentioned." And also to an act, entitled " An act, supplementary to an act, entitled an act for the encouragement of learning, by secufing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of .such copies, during tbe times therein mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the art> of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints." JAMES DILL. Clerk of the Southern District of Jtfeui-Torls Myers 4s Smith, Pi-inters PRELIMINARY ADDRESS. The people of America have always borne in their character, a prominent warlike feature.

Before ships of discovery had ever ventured across the Atlantic, the savage tribes had been sighting their battles in routine, and every Indian carried his war-club, his rude bow and flint-headed arrows ready for combat. The battles, skirmishes and bloodshed of every des cription, which took place vrhen the country be gau io De colonised, are too many to be reckon ed. Spaniards, French and English, with the savages, either as their allies, or as their enemies, were prostrated in death together. The colonies protected the lands which they had siezed or ac quired, with their arms, and silenced the demands ofthe old possesors, with their swords and muskets. And at this day, in North America, where the natives are not so completely subjected as in South America, wars and murders are constantly progressing.

Chapter I

I ROM NEW-YORK, BY A CIRCUITOUS ROUTE, TO ALBANY Palisadoes on Hudson river - - 13 Passaic river ----- 15 Religious Meeting in the woods 17 High Torn of Harvestraw 18 Highlands of the Hudson 21 West Point ----- 22 Montgomery on the Wallkill 26 Shawangunk (Shongo) mountain - - 27 Neversink ------ 27 Vale of Warsink 28 Albany 30 Sitting of the State Convention - - 32

Chapter II. From Albany, Through Saratoga And Ballston Spa

TO UTICA. Cahoes of the Mohawk 34 Stillwater - 35 BATTLE OF BEEMIS' HEIGHTS Decayed fortifications 37 2f CONTENTS. Burgoyne's approach 37 Massacre of Miss M'Crea 40 Lady Ackland 43 The house where Frazer died 44 Saratoga ------ 45 Baroness Reidesell 46 Saratoga Springs - - 48 Ballston Spa - - ■ - - 50 Schenectady ----- 53 Beautiful valley ----- 55 CAVERN OF CANAJOHARIE. Descent into the cavern 57 Difficulty of the descent - - - 60 Number of rooms or expansions - - 61 Gloomy magnificence 61 Little-Falls 62 Great Western Canal 62

Chapter III. From Utica To The Head Of Lake Cayuga

Appearance of the Country 65 Utica - _ qq Passage on the Great Canal - - - 67 Extensive Swamps qq Banks of Lake Cay uga 72 Pleasant sail to Ithaca - - - - 73 FALLS OF ITHACA. Surprising beauty of the falls - - 74 Leaps of Fall-River - - - - 76 Tremendous crags - - _ ~ . yg CONTENTS. III The Cascadilla 81 Natural amphitheatre - - - - 81 Cascade of Goodwin's Point 83 Tottering cl ill's - - - - - 85 Contemplated college at Ithaca - - 85

Chapter IV. From Ithaca, To The Genessee, And Straights Of Niagara

The Parallel lakes - - - - 88 Geneva — Canandaigua 90 THE GENESSEE. Rochester-ville ----- 91 Higher-Falls of the Genessee - - 92 Butments of the " flying bridge." - 93 Lower-Falls ----- 94 Great Ridge road 94 Indian village on Lewiston mountain - Q6 The great Northern Slope - 100 Chasm of Niagara - - - _ ioi FALLS OF NIAGARA. Exaggerated accounts - 103 View from a distance - 104 Fantastic forms of the spray - - 105 Rapids above the falls - 106 Goat or Iris Island -. 106 Bottom of the Falls 107 Difficult entrance behind the Horseshoe-fall 109 Dreadful situation - - - - 110 Table rock - - - ... - - CONTENTS. Prospect from Ontario hotel - - 113 The Whirlpool 113 Black-Rock 115 Grand council of Indians at Buffaloe - 116 Six Nations - - - - - 117

Chapter V. Upper Canada

Fields of famous Battles - 120 Canadian bank of the Straights of Niagara 121 Queenston - - - - - - 123 Newark and Fort George - 125 FRONTIER BATTLES. Visit to the Heights of Queenston - 127 Bloody battle of Queenston - - 130 Explosion of the magazine at York - 133 Capture of Fort George - 134 Newark reduced to ashes - 136 American Frontier laid waste . - - 137 Battle of Chippewa - 138 Great battle at Niagara Falls - - 139 Indian mode of warfare - - - 142 Fort Niagara - - - - _ 143

Chapter VI. Through Upper Canada, To Montreal

Lake Ontario - - - - - 145 Passage to Kingston - - - - 145 Lake of the Thousand Islands - - CONTENTS. V Opinions of the Canadians - - 152 Country ball 156 Lake St. Francis - 158 French Canadians - 159 Ottawa or Grand River - 160 Caughnawaga (Indian village) - - 162 MONTREAL. General view of the city - 165 Public edifices - - - - - 166 Cathedral of Notre dame - 167 Prospect from the Mountain of Montreal 168

Chapter VII. From Montreal To Quebec, The Falls Of Chaudiere, And Montmorenci

Passage down the St. Lawrence - - 170 FORTRESS OF QUEBEC. History 173 Description of the site of Quebec - - 176 Operations of General Wolfe - - 178 Engagement between the French & English 181 Death of Wolfe - - - 182 Heights of Abraham - - - - 182 Walls of the City 185 Citadel 186 Diamond rock ----- 188 FALLS OF MONTMORENCI. St. Charles' river - - - - 18$ Declivity of Beauport - - - 190 Astonishing height and grandeur of the Falls VI CONTENTS. The inner cove ----- 192 Death of Montgomery - 195 Excursion to the Chaudiere - - 199 Singular beauty of the cataract - - 200 Catholic churches 202

Chapter VIII. Lower Canada

Contemplated road to Boston - - 203 Desert woods ----- 204 St. Lawrence and the great chain of Lakes 204 First settlers of Canada - 208 Present inhabitants - 208 Economy _____ 209 Industry ---.._ 210 Superstition and Ignorance - - 213 Deportment - - - - - 215 May-poles - 217 Political condition - 217 CANADA GENERALLY. Emigrants - - - - - 219 Timber trade ----- 220 Fur trade ------ 221 Smuggling 222

Chapter IX. Route From Quebec To

BOSTOxN. Rafts ------ 226 Sorel river - 227 Basin of Chambly - - - _ 228 Great swamp - CONTENTS. VII VERMONT. Return into the United States - ' - 232 Contrast ------ 233 Hills of Vermont - • - - _ 234 Onion River - 236 Green Mountains - 236 Montpelier _____ 237 Long declivities - _ _ _ 239 Wild scenery of Vermont - - - 241 NEW-HAMPSHIRE. Dartmouth College - 242 Singular appearances in New-Hampshire 244 Shaking Quakers - 245 Concord - 247 Stage travelling - - _ _ 248 Counterfeiting - 250 MASSACHUSETTS. Political standing of Massachusetts _ 250 Witchcraft _____ 251 Approach to Boston - 254

Chapter X. From Boston, Through The State Of Rhode-island

TO NEW-YORK. Capital of Massachusetts _ _ _ . 256 Excursion to the heights of Charleston 257 BATTLE OF BUNKER'S HILL. British forces in Boston _ 258 American forces - 259 First repulse , 260 Second repulse _ CONTENTS. Retreat from Charleston - 26-2 Road to Providence - - - - 264 RHODE-ISLAND. Narraganset harbour - 266 Newport 268 New-England in general - 271 Approach to the City of New-York - 273 Conclusion ----- 274 ENGRAVINGS. Upper Chasm of Fall-River 1 Scene in the Highlands from Wist Point. ... 24 Scene in the Valley of Canajoharie 55 Great or Lower Fall of Fall-River 76 Butnients of the Genessee Bridge 94 Fort Niagara 143 Falls of Montmorenci 192 Falis of the Chaudiere 200 Basm and Fort of Chambly

Chapter I. Irom New-york, By

A CIRCUITOUS RCl'i TO ALBANY. Monday, August 20, 182). The rocky bluff above Wehawk (four miles from New-York) on the Hudson, is the com mencement ofthe pallisado ridge, which extends more than thirty miles northward on the west shore of the river. The form of these upright cliffs, and the slope beneath them to the water, is precisely similar to the high shores of the northern coast of Ireland, adjoining the Giants' Cause-way ; the quality of the stone, however is not the same. It is a coarse basalt or trap, in columnar masses, some of which are regular hexagons. Tbe general height of the ridge is four hundred feet. Here it is only one hundred and seventy-five* above the level of the river. From this place I took a farewell glance of the city of New-York. The afternoon was remarkably pleasant, anda beautiful prospect ofthe * As determined by Captain Patridge of West-Point. o river and opposite country, appeared from this elevated and picturesque situation.

Desirous of visiting the place, where General Hamilton fell, I was conducted by a lad, and descending a long path, rocky and dangerous, I approached the spot, over which, not only the death of Hamilton but of many others, who have been emulous of risking their lives at his tomb, has thrown a deep shade of solemnity. The boy pointed to a level space of ground where the combatants had stood, and in his own manner, related the story of Price, the last duellist here, who was shot by an English officer. The blood ran streaming from his head, covering the sand and stones with human gore, as he was carried on board of one of the numerous boats which crowded the beach. A number of spectators viewed this transaction, from the neighbouring rocks ; and a more horrible sight could not possibly have been imagined.

The monument that was erected here to the memory of General Hamilton, is now taken to pieces by the proprietor of the soil, and conveyed to his house, under pretence of its having been too much resorted to, for purposes of duelling. Leaving this melancholly spot, a viper two feet in length, laid coiled in the path leading through the woods to Bull's-ferry, upon which I was just ready to tread before I perceived it. Snakes are very numerous in this part of New-Jersey. The land here makes a gradual descent westward from the high banks of the Hudson, uiHil it unites with those extensive meadows through which the Hackensack river urges its course. Considering evening to be the most comfortable though the least instructive time for travelling in sultry weather, I proceeded as far as the venerable Dutch village of Hackensack, where I arrived at ten o'clock, in time to escape a heavy thunder storm, which was then rapidly approaching.

On my rout to Patterson, I found the bridge over the Passaic river, broken down by the floods of last winter, and I was upon the point of seeking some method of fording the stream, when a wag gon drove up, which enabled me to cross with out any difficulty. Patterson has increased greatly within a few years, and is of so sudden growth that the peasantry of the adjacent counties scarcely know where such a place is situated. The factories, arranged on a canal, brought from above the falls of the Passaic, are very spacious, and do honour to their patriotic pro prietors. The gulf into which the Passaic precipitates itself, is well worth the attention of the Tourist ; but tbe Falls themselves, are extremely insignificant, especially at this dry season of the year, and scarcely deserve the celebrity, which they have gained.

Their pitch is about sixty feet down two narrow chasms, six or eight feet in width. The river winds in the form ofthe letter Z, and the falls are at the upper angle. The Tattoway hills form a ridge of extremely hard basaltic rock, TEDESTRIAN TOUR. into which the river has worn a distance of one hundred yards, leaving the sides of the excava tion, perfect precipices. By mounting upon an embankment of stones in front ofthe falls, to tbe canal-reservoir, and thence ascending a flight of steps to a gate and house of refreshments, we reach the upper level of the Passaic. The few acres of land facetiously denominated the Isle-of-man, on account of its being completely insulated by the canal, affords a terrible prospect into the gulf below. To look down, reminds us of the melancholy catastrophe which occurred here, and which is too well known to require repetition.

A large fragment of the rock has been reft from the main portion, making a deep crevice of three feei in width, black, terriffic and dangerous, down which, a stone, it is said, may be heard to rumble, until the sounds are lost in the distance. I looked around for a stone to throw down the crevice, but the busy hands of curiosity had seized every little pebble on the Isle-of-man. Being informed that a religious sect were hold ing a meeting in the woods near Harvestraw, I resolved to visit it, and making my way through by-roads and lanes for thirty miles, I came, about nine o'clock next morning, within a few furlongs of the camp, where, by directing my steps towards the sounds issuing from a beautiful copse of woods, I very soon arrived. It was situated on one side of a creek and not far from the foot of Harvestraw mountain, the high peaks of which rose up majesticallv in view.

There were fifty large and elegant tents, some of which might contain upwards of one hundred persons. The people were already convened to seats in the middle of the encampment, by the sound of trumpets, from whence an excellent discourse was delivered : after which they arose and adjourned to the tents. A friend offered to entertain me till next day, and I gladly ac cepted his invitation. At noon, crowds were formed over different parts ofthe ground, and divine worship was con ducted in them, with a degree of unexampled piety. Tbe utmost decorum was observed in all their proceedings. Some unusual actions of a religious nature did indeed transpire, which to some persons no doubt, seemed most unaccounta ble and ridiculous. The consequence was a deal of shrugs and tittering from the most impolite, who had either forgot, or disregarded tbe solemnity of the place.

The behaviourofthis religioussect is most praise-worthy. Throwing off the shackles of the world, they show the undisguised emana tions of a soul, wrapt in the goodness, the glory ofthe Omnipotent, and express with holy zeal, their gratitude for innumerable mercies, and for the great blessing of a Redeemer. Upon these oc casion? all distinctions are levelled. They are all brothers : the rich merchant humbles himself upon the same seat with the poor tradesman, and both unite as one in the worship of Godsty * One instance deserves notice ; an African, whose coal-black features glistened with religious ar dour, addressed an aged matron, and asked, " Sister, are you happy ?" She raised herwithered hands in the air, and whilst her palid countenance received a flush of heavenly delight, she cried, " Yes, bless the Lord, I am happy."

How inestimable must those doctrines be, that can make man happy in this painful transitory life. In the meantime I went to Harvestraw, and by inquiry, sound the path which leads to the top of the lofty mountain, back of that village. Following the path for some time, I lost it ; and climbing in my own direction, peak above peak, up cliffs almost perpendicular, at length reached the smooth round rock, which crowns the summit of the High Torn. The prospect is truly grand and almost indiscribable. Here, we look upon all the surrounding country as a map, and the head grows dizzy with the height. Elevated eight hun dred and fifty-two feet above the surface of the Hudson, we trace the windings of that spacious river, from the Pallisadoes, to the middle of ihe Highlands, through which it passes.

From this situation, we discover that our nicest maps of the river, are very incorrect. Promonto ries are seen jutting into the bays of Harvestraw and Tappan ; here the river bends, there it ex pands, and then becomes constricted into a narrow straight. To the south and westward, the lands are flat and well cultivated, continuing so, until they are suddenly interrupted by the ridge of the Blue Mountains. I recognized a part of the chain, called the Gap, twenty miles above Eas ton, where the Delaware river finds its passagebe tween immense overhanging cliffs. To the east ward, in the state of New-York, the country is very hilly. Beneath my feet, the white tents of the camp, were perceptible in the little woody copse, and the creek was seen winding through the meadows like a serpent. Descending the mountain upon the opposite side, I found upon reaching the foot, that a valuable pocket spy-glass had been left upon the peak.

Again I commenced the toil of clambering the mountain, which, however, I had intended to cross in a low part, and by an easy path. Believing I had gained the peak, to my great vexation, I found myself upon a bluff a great distance to the north, with the High Torn, lifting its shaggy craigs on the right, in the lofty grandeur of a superior mountain. I proceeded with difficulty along the ridge to the Torn, and regained my lost article. I was now resolved to go directly down to the village, without following the circuitous rout, by which I had ascended. The attempt looked possible. There were two old rotten trees, on the very verge of the columnar cliffs, around which I crept to a place on the precipice, where, by using the greatest care, holding fast of twigs and roots, and fixing my feet upon firm foundations, I thought proper to venture.

About one third of the way down, the descent became so direct, that it was impossible even to lean back against the rocks. Here I was suddenly stopped by a great chasm, which appeared beyond hu man power to descend. To think of getting back was absurd. I was completely fixed. Comforting myself with the old adage, " man must die at one time or other," I made a desperate sally, caught the root of a sturdy shrub, and with great risk, got to the bottom of the chasm ; thence with more safety I reached the plain. When I looked up, next morning, as the sun shone against the peak, and reddened with its beams, the angry face of the cliffs, I perceived the rotten trees and the place of my descent. A descent there appeared utterly impossible. I pointed the place to my friend, who gazed and exclaimed " did you so!" with an expression on his countenance which indicated — I half be lieve you !

At night the camp was brilliantly illuminated, and a sermon was delivered to au immense con course of people. The trumpets sounded early in the morning, to give notice lor family prayer in the tents. Soon after, columns of smoke rose from the several sires ; the kettles were carried about; and the long tables were spread with abundant meats, over which the face of every in dividual, smiled with gratitude and content ment. About ten, I set off by a lonely rout, over the ridges of the Allegany and Blue mountains, com monly called the Highlands. These mountains, denominated by Jefferson, the backbone of the United States, extend from Maine, south-west to Georgia and the Mississippi Territory : they consist of the Cumberland, the Allegany, the Blue, and the Green Mountains, and other dis tinctive ridges, all running in a line, parallel with the coast of North America.

Curious hypotheses and inferences are made, respecting the globe, from their direction, their structure, and the wide alluvial deposits extending between them and the sea-shore. At the Highlands of the Hudson, the composition is chiefly granite and limestone. Some of the limestone hills are nearly bare, and exhibit, after a shower, very beautiful appearances of blue, white, and vermillion. Magnetic iron-ore abounds in such quantity, that the needle will not always traverse. The altitude of the highest peak is 1585 feet, which is called the New-Beacon ; Butter-Hill is 1529 feet. The peaks are very much diversified, and afford some of the finest prospects in the world. A scarcely legible foot-path leads among the woods and rocks to Montgomery Creek, which I mistook, and walked three miles out of the way, before I discovered my mistake.

At the mouth of the creek, I was ferried over to Fort Montgomery. The form of this fort is still perceptible. Bullets and bones are gathered at times, and stored away, as precious remains of the warriors and armour of the war which delivered our country from oppression. A boom and chain were here thrown across the channel PEDESTRIAN TOUtt. by the Americans, to prevent the enemy's fleet from ascending the river. No inn being at hand, I stopped at a little farm-house, and considering circumstances, pro cured a very comfortable dinner. The lady sat in the room, and conversed with an ease and politeness, which I thought foreign to an abode in the midst of these rugged mountains. Two country girls bustled in, and formed quite a contrast lo the pleasing demeanour of my hostess. She asserted, that she had frequently entertained, with the products of her little farm and dairy, parties of pleasure, who were now and then sailing up the Hudson, from New-York.

Nearly the whole of this afternoon, I was occu pied in viewing the works of West-Point. The plain, upon the point, is perfectly level, and more than a mile in circumference. Four very large stone buildings are appropriated to the Cadets, who were at this time marching from Boston to New-York. The church is capacious. The mess house tables, are of mahogany, and the uten sils are neat and costly. Many rooms of the Ca dets, evince that they live like soldiers. Houses and tradesmens' shops, form on one side of the plain, quite a considerable village. A superb monument is raised to the memory of Lieut. Col. Wood, who, in 1814, fell at Fort Erie in Upper Canada ; and another monument consist ing (as I was told) of 365 pieces of marble, is to have the name of every Cadet inscribed upon it, at his death.

The old barracks of the regulars, are in a ruinous condition, and stand as a dis grace to the neatness and regularity of this great military establishment. On the mountain above West-Point are the remains of Fort Putnam. The mouldering bat tlements still show an appearance of warlike magnificence, overtoping the craggy rocks, the thick bushes, and encroaching vines, which hang about the basis. Fort Putnam was the strongest fortress on the river. Its walls were thirty feet in height, and the same in thickness. A number of arched rooms or vaults, were made in the walls, some of which have not yet caved in, and seem to have been capable of holding each forty soldiers, in the greatest security. There is a fire place in the end of each vault, and two square holes facing the river. It is eight feet and a half from the outside of the fort, to the inside of the rooms.

The arches are thirty inches through, and of brick ; parts of which are often conveyed away by thecurious, as relics of inestimable value. The mason-work of the walls, towards the land be hind the fort, is six feet in thickness, supported within, by embankments. In the middle are the remains of the magazines. Fort Putnam stands upon the irregular surface of a rock, composed of feldspar and large crystals of black shorl or tourmaline, six hundred feet above the level of the river. The works of West-Point command the pas sage of the Hudson, in a part, the most contracted and most difficult of navigation. The situation is extremely romantic, and the surrounding scenery picturesque and astonishingly sublime. It was this important post, which General Ar nold attempted to put into the possession of Sir Henry Clinton in 1780.

Though a brilliant offi cer, Arnold through his extravagance, defrauded the public, to satisfy the demands of his credi tors. Disgusted with the just reproaches which he received, he resolved to go over to the British, and that advantageously. Overtures were made, and Major John Andre, Adjutant-general to the British army, was sent by Sir Henry, to nego tiate with the treacherous Arnold. He was rowed ashore under cover of night, from a sloop of war in the river, and was met by General Arnold, who delivered into his hands, plans of the fortifications, and accounts of the number of men, ordinance and artillery, necessary for their defence. The conference continued so long, that Andre, who could not retreat in day-light, was obliged to conceal himself in company with Arnold, until the ensuing evening.

The men who rowed him ashore, now refused to venture with him back to the sloop of war, on account of the danger from the American cannon. Major Andre, was in consequence, compelled to as sume a fictitious name, and in a disguised habit, return by land. Upon the boun daries of the American lines, on his way to New-York, three men sprang from the woods and arrested him for a spy. In vain, he offered money and promised rewards, if they would let him proceed. Taken in the night, with Arnold's pass in his pocket book, and plans of West- Point, with accounts of its situation and strength, concealed in his boots, he could not dissimulate. He was seized, tried by martial law, and hung as a spy. Such was the fate of the unfortunate Major Andre. A mold, as soon as he heard of his detection, was struck with astonishment, and in his terror and agitation, he called for a horse, and drove to the beach, down a craggy steep, never before explored on horseback, where a barge re ceived him and conveyed him, to the British army in New-York.

The sun shone clear, as I descended the northern slope of the Highlands, on the ensuing day, with the fertile plains of Orange county, spreading to an extensive distance before me. The dusky range ofthe Kaatskill mountains rose in the horizon: and with pleasing sensations, I hailed the perspicuous spires of the numerous villages, which were scattered in the prospect. Nothing but rocks and woods, with here and there a cow-bell jingling among the trees, ragged chil dren sporting in the dirt, a few blades of corn rising above half burnt stumps of trees, men and women, haggard and tawny, peeping through the broken panes of their only window, formed a continual scene in the mountains, of which I was beginning to grow weary. The road passes through the little villages of Canterbury and New-Windsor, to Newburgh, a very large and important market-town, through which, a considerable trade is carried on, between the western tracts and the city of New-York.

The turnpike leading from this to Ithaca, is one ofthe finest in the state. Montgomery is a village twelve miles from Newburgh, situated on the turnpike at the rfver Wallkill, where it is remarka ble, what attempts the enterprising inhabitants have made, towards improvement and grandeur in the style of tbeir buildings. Some of the houses are large and fashionable ; but, unluckily, paint was scarce, and glaziers were no where to be pro cured ; so that the sine mouldings and window shutters remain in their pristine hues, stained with iron rust from bolts and heads of nails ; and the sashes, as fast as the panes are broken, are carefully fastened up with shingles and pine boards, giving the whole edifice a very admirable variety in its appearance. One in particular, three stories high, having six windows in front of each story, was found by the occupants rather too ex pensive to be kept in repair, and therefore had been suffered to go into decay ; after all the win dows had been closed with boards, except in one corner of the building, where the lords of the mansion discovered, that light sufficient could be admitted through five solitary remaining panes.

I continued until late at night, travelling very speedily on a narrow road towards the Never sink, (a river which falls into the Delaware,) about thirty-six miles from Newburgh, where a particular friend of mine resided, whom, I was desirous Of visiting. Arriving at the foot of Shongo mountain, two men stopped me, and informed me. that there was a panther prowling somewhere about the mountain, and that not only they. but other persons had heard its. yell. This in formation a little startled me ; but believing the tale to be a fiction, or at most the effect of imagination, I proceeded onward ; not however, without metamorphosing, through the gloom, bushes, stumps and stones, into wide-mouthed catamounts, and construeing every distant sound into the dismal scream of that voracious animal. I arrived at an Inn upon the top of the mountain, where I concluded to stop.