THE face of the country in the United States is, as may be supposed, exceedingly varied. The land for a prodigious extent on the borders of the Atlantic is flat, and in Virginia for a great distance inland. In Massachusetts more variety exists. In the level districts it is not easy to obtain an extensive prospect, owing to the quantity of timber encumbering the ground; and even where a good view is obtained, it is formal and uninteresting. The houses, generally built of wood, have no ornamental gardens about them, while the zigzag wooden fences have no beauty in themselves, and mar what little beauty there is in the landscape. Even where a river bursts upon the view, wide and magnificent, the

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spectator is disappointed as to its beauty, from the want of high banks. Where no prominent object appears for the eye to fix on, the surrounding beauties want the benefit of contrast. In the interior the scene improves. Nature in many parts is lavish of her bounties, as if laughing at the littleness of art. Hills and mountains, some rude and bare, others covered with trees; fertile valleys, watered by meandering streams; huge rocks, with tremendous precipices; cascades, cataracts, and torrents; these are all to be found in abundance. But as general descriptions fail of giving a distinct idea, I shall mention with some minuteness some of the parts I passed through, persuaded that the lover of nature will excuse a little tediousness to gain correct ideas.

From New York I sailed up the Hudson to Albany, a distance of about one hundred and fifty miles in a sloop. The steam-packet from its expedition would have been preferable, had I not learnt that it passed by the most interesting part during the night. Having but little wind the voyage was long, and but for the variety and beauty of the scenery, would have been exceedingly tiresome. The banks adorned with a variety of forest trees rise in some places nearly precipit

ously from the water; in others, small cultivated hills here and there ornamented with a gentleman's house attract the eye. In one part, where the river passes through the Kaatskill mountains, it expands into a capacious basin resembling a lake, having that seclusion in the midst of magnificence, which gives to lake scenery its characteristic charm. We cast anchor in it, and just at twilight the steam-boat passed us. No sound was to be heard but that of its paddles striking the water. I looked around me, and while surveying the hills dark below, and bright above with the sunshine, I felt the power of a placid, majestic scene on the mind. It is productive of that pleasing melancholy described by Dyer,

"There is a mood,

There is a kindly mood of melancholy

That wings the soul and points her to the skies."

On the following morning we came in sight of two towns, one on each side of the river. They formed an agreeable spectacle, as showing us, that notwithstanding our last evening's loneliness, we were still near man and his haunts; for beautiful as nature is, it is in society that our chief delight is found. Beauty after beauty claimed my attention till we reached Albany. The Hudson at a future day will attract Americans as the Rhine now attracts Europeans.

From Albany I proceeded to Schenectady, through rough uninviting lands. From that place to Little Falls, the road runs by the side of the Mohawk, a river tributary to the Hudson. With rocky hills on one side, and water on the other, the prospect is in some parts picturesque, though there is more often a dreariness displeasing to the eye, and repelling to the fancy. The village of Little Falls is quite romantic. The river being impeded in its course by huge stones, in a spot where the descent is rapid, dashes through them with fearful impetuosity. A little below the rapids, stands an aqueduct for supplying the Erie canal, and though of only three arches, yet being a handsome piece of masonry, it contrasts well with the rugged scene around. Below the aqueduct is an islet covered with trees; an interesting feature in the landscape. Parallel with the river runs the canal, and it having been necessary in its formation to remove a large portion of the rock by blasting, a wall of great height surmounted by trees flanks it for some distance. Above, below, and opposite, the rock remains in its natural state, knoll upon knoll as if nature were in a vagary. If the hand of taste were judiciously applied in this enchanting spot, it might be rendered like what we fancy of fairy land. Westward of Little Falls

extends a tract called the German Flatts. Numerous farm houses having an appearance of great comfort, surrounded by land in a middling state of cultivation and in sight of lofty hills, make this an agreeable part to travel in.

The lakes in New York are worthy the notice of the admirer of nature, for though not encompassed by mountains, and of course not sublime, they have beauties by no means despicable. The native forest at present occupies the circumjacent land, removed here and there however to make way for a village with its little church spire, and for green pastures where sheep and oxen are seen grazing. Where a small stream falls into the lake, there is a beautiful opening in the bank exhibiting trees of various heights and foliage. It was a fine day when I made the voyage of Lake Cayuga in a steam-packet. Autumn had just begun to embrown and redden the forest, giving it its most attractive aspect. The cultivated patches, refreshed by some recent showers, seemed in their holiday dress: and who but could rejoice in the thought that the whole wilderness was likely in a few years to give place to corn and pasture? It was animating to reflect that a numerous population will be here settled, and that that land where the roaming savage pursued