discovery and character of the productions of some of the finest regions on the globe. Such was not the disposition of St. Pierre: after passing many years in the laborious search of natural objects, and many years more in investigating their laws and principles, as a preparation for writing the history of nature, he abandoned the pursuit as impracticable and impious; and favoured the world merely with his Studies, which are beautiful, intelligent, and unassuming.

I conclude for the present; again entreating you to observe, that in my letters you are not to look for the graces of style, or peculiar accuracy of detail. I write from the heart, from the impulse of the impressions made by real events; and this will, I hope, sufficiently gratify your tender and amiable feelings. T. A.

LETTER II.

Sun-rise in a deep valley. Breakfast at an inn. American forests generally free from underwood. The Author kills a large bear in the forest: its deliberate precaution on being shot. An Indian camp: gradual expulsion of the Indians into the interior, and their near extermination. Grandeur and beau

tiful tints of an autumnal scene. Laurel-hill. Delightful vale leading to Pittsburg. Expences at the American inns. Comfort a term of very various application.

Pittsburg, October, 1806.

As day approached from the east, I recommenced my journey. The sun soon after coloured "in gay attire" some of the summits of the mountains, but his luminous body was not visible for a considerable time; and when it did appear in all its majesty, its rays were for

several hours too oblique to penetrate the depths of the valley, and disperse the ocean of vapour which the preceding day had formed. It was interesting to observe with what reluctance the mists dissipated. Till touched by the magic beam, they were one uniform sheet: they then assumed a variety of forms; clouds representing grotesque and lively figures, crowning some of the highest trees. Some descended to the bosom of the stream, and followed the windings of the waters; others hovered over fountains and springs; while the larger portion rose boldly to the mountain-tops, in defiance of the sun, to gain the higher atmosphere, and again descend to the earth in dew or showers.

The birds, with the first dawn, left the recesses of the valleys; and taking their elevated seats, "joined in one universal choir." At least, nothing had more the resemblance of a general

thanksgiving, or oblation of praise, to the Author of life and light; and though it might have been but a burst of exultation for the return of morn, I preferred thinking it a grateful expression of worship, which said to me: "Go thou and do likewise."

It was near ten before I had descended the mountain, and reached a place of refreshment. You may conceive how much I was exhausted; and how much I felt for my horse, who had fasted all night after a tedious journey. In recompence I now took good care of him, and resolved to let him rest the remainder of the day. Indeed I was prepossessed in favour of this inn: for it was clean, the landlady civil, and her husband sober; three extraordinary circumstances, and which I little expected to meet on that road. My breakfast consisted of Indian bread, wild pigeons, and coffee made of native peas: no

thing could be more conformable to the place and to my appetite. During the repast I conversed with my host on subjects which I supposed within the range of his information and capacity. I was mistaken: he was entirely unacquainted with the country round him. He never went west, because he had no business; on the east, he was bounded by the mountain, which he was determined never to ascend; and on his right and left was a wilderness which he feared to penetrate, as it abounded with wild beasts, snakes, and reptiles of all kinds.

I borrowed his gun and ammunition; and having set the house with a pocketcompass, took a north-west course through the woods. The American forests have generally one very interesting quality, that of being entirely free from under or brush wood. This is owing to the extraordinary height, and spreading