sembling Utica in its general details; and the next morning proceeded in a stage-coach on my journey westward. We passed near some small lakes, eight or ten miles in length, and bearing Indian names; and soon arrived at Auburn, where there is a great prison, conducted, as I am informed, upon an excellent system. Shortly afterwards we passed Lake Cayuga, by means of a wooden bridge a mile in length. This lake extends about forty miles from north to south, and I observed a steam-boat plying upon it. We dined at Geneva, a pretty town situated on the banks of Lake Seneca, and then proceeded sixteen miles to Canandaigua, a town standing at the head of a lake of the same name. The next morning we started for Rochester, where we arrived early in the afternoon. Here I obtained a distant prospect of Lake Ontario, which resembled the sea. Here, too, I visited the picturesque falls of the Genessee, where the river tumbles over an abrupt precipice ninety feet in height. travelled the greater part of the night, and arrived at Lockport about three o'clock in the morning. Here the canal descends from a high level, to one much beneath it, by a series of admirably constructed locks, from which the town derives its

name.

I

After breakfast, I took my seat in another stage coach for the falls of Niagara, which I had deter

mined to visit, although they lay a little out of my direct route. I arrived at Lewiston, on the Niagara river, about twelve o'clock. Upon the opposite side of the stream is Canada; and I was happy in again beholding British ground. There, too, I saw the lofty monument of General Brock, erected on the spot where that commander fell in the battle of Queenstown. We left Lewiston immediately after dinner, and, in little more than an hour, arrived at Manchester, a small town standing on the very brink of the falls. I cannot describe I cannot describe my sensations when, as I rode along, I first beheld the mighty and awful cataract through the trees at the distance of a mile, and heard its deep and hollow sound. I hurried from the inn to the water side, immediately on leaving the coach. I will not attempt to describe what I saw; I can conceive of nothing like it. A mighty river, nearly a mile in width, rolls over a precipice 170 feet in depth. The sublimity of the scene is heightened by the circumstance that a great portion of it is concealed, or but dimly seen on account of the thick clouds created by the spray. An island covered with tall forest-trees divides the cataract into two parts. A bridge has been built to this island, which conducts the passenger within a few yards of the precipice down which the Niagara makes its fearful plunge. I walked over this bridge, and almost became giddy when I saw the boiling

waves rushing with prodigious velocity beneath. On the island I found warm springs and baths, with shady walks and alcoves for the convenience of those who visit this romantic retreat.

I would gladly have remained many days at the Falls; but my time was limited; and as soon as the horses were changed, I re-entered the coach, and proceeded on my journey. Reaching the canal in a short time, I took passage in a boat which happened to be passing, and arrived at Buffalo soon after dark. I had no time for viewing the town, as I embarked early the next morning upon the blue waters of Lake Erie, in the steam-boat Niagara. I paid eight dollars for my passage to Sandusky in Ohio, a distance of 250 miles. After a voyage of thirty-nine hours, I arrived at that place; but found the stage-coaches so full that I could not obtain a seat for two days.

I spent that time in writing letters, in walking upon the beach of the Lake, and in talking with some Indians whom I happened to meet. Sandusky appeared to be a miserable place, and I was glad to leave it. I travelled slowly in the coach over dreadful roads, and through lofty and almost unbroken forests, till at night I arrived at a village called Mansfield, where I slept. Early the next morning, I again set out on my journey; and arrived at a town called Mount Vernon about noon.

Being now only five miles from my destination, I engaged the first waggoner I met in the street to convey me in his light two-horse vehicle to Kenyon College. In this conveyance I embarked with my luggage, and proceeded safely, though roughly, to my journey's end.

I have travelled 4000 miles in fifty-three days and three hours, (including five days and a half spent in New York and Sandusky) and at an expense of about fifty-four pounds.

CHAPTER II.

LETTER TO A FRIEND.-GAMBIER AND ITS

VICINITY.

Caution necessary in judging of America.-History of Bishop Chase. His appearance. His labours.-Situation of Gambier.-Climate of Ohio.-People.-Inhabitants of Gambier.Students in Kenyon College. Their character.-Their Sunday-schools.

KENYON COLLEGE, November, 1830.

HAVING now resided nearly two years in this western world, I feel competent to the task of giving you a tolerably correct idea of life in the back-woods. Hitherto I have seen comparatively little of the eastern and more polished districts of the United States; you must therefore bear in mind, that my description of scenery and manners is applicable not to America in general, but to Ohio and this immediate neighbourhood in particular. I have already seen enough to convince me that different sections of this immense republic vary from each other in a number of respects; while the appearance and the