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that the sun sets in America with a radiance so surpassing, that it filled me with wonder and delight. How often have I stopped in my evening rambles to feast my eyes with the glorious prospect! The sky seemed in flame, as bright as an iron furnace when the liquid metal flows from it into the moulds.

In my walks through the country, especially when traversing the native forest, I was forcibly struck with the general silence of nature. How little was there to please compared with the melody of our groves! Frequently, nothing was to be heard but the woodpecker striking his bill against a tree. At other times I heard a chorus of frogs chirping rather than croaking. In the evening, I have stopped to listen to the plaintive but tiresome note of the whipperwill, a bird, named like the cuckow from its unvarying voice. But the lark springing upward to the sky, and making every thing resound with its lively, inspiriting strain; or the blackbird with its clear whistle; or the nightingale with its full, rich, voluptuous swell and fall;-these are not to be heard in America, to say nothing of the linnet, the thrush, or the whole tribe of finches. They have indeed birds called by these names, but they are quite different from ours. Some how

ever they have of very pleasant song, which may be heard at daybreak, and for an hour or two after. I cannot speak of the mocking-bird, for I was not fortunate enough to hear it; but I heard several whose names I have forgotten, which made the woods vocal in an enchanting manner. But no sooner does the sun gain considerable power, than a silence like the grave supervenes, except in the ponds and bogs, where the frogs and toads have fixed their abode. In many parts you may listen in vain to hear any sound at all. In the words of Dr. Young,

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Listening ear no object finds;
Creation sleeps. 'Tis as the general pulse
Of life stood still, and nature made a pause;
An awful pause! prophetic of her end."

CHAPTER II.

CITIES, TOWNS, AND VILLAGES.

As the place where I first landed in America was New York, I shall begin by giving some account of that city. Standing like Constantinople on a point of land, it is nearly encompassed by water, and appears at a little distance as if afloat. Ships of the largest burden can approach it at all times of the year, and obtain secure anchorage in its harbour. It unites the advantages of a port on the sea-board, with those of a port like London or Hamburg, without the delays incident to a long river navigation. So important is this felt to be, that it is common for persons from Baltimore, Philadelphia, Montreal and Quebec to come to New York to take ship for Europe. That fine river the Hudson, after running longitudinally for upwards of three hundred miles, empties itself into New York bay. By means of canals now in progress, the city will soon be able to transport its merchandise into the western regions as well as the northern. Lakes Erie, Ontario, and Champlain will directly communicate with it, and contribute to its pros

perity. On the whole continent of North America, New Orleans is the only one rivalling it in commercial advantages; and from the insalubrity of its climate, that city will not probably, for centuries to come, equal New York in population, enterprise, and capital. New York, like Liverpool, Petersburg, and Calcutta, has risen into eminence in a comparatively short period. It is still increasing in magnitude and importance, and will continue to do so for a long time to come; but the idea which the Americans entertain, that in another century it will equal London needs only to be mentioned to show its absurdity; yet this idea is not confined to the vulgar; a gentleman, formerly a member of congress, and of high reputation for talents and learning, gravely insisted when in conversation with me on its probability! The reader will probably commend my judgment for not attempting to argue the point with him: it seemed to be so much a favourite with him, that his happiness might have been diminished by breaking the illusion.

New York viewed from a distance at which the eye can take in its full length, from Hoboken for instance, or the heights of Brooklyn, has the air of a metropolis. The long line of shipping before the wharfs, the numerous lofty

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spires and turrets, the steam-boats incessantly moving; all these manifest it to be a place of vast importance. A walk through it, however, dissipates much of the idea of grandeur excited by a distant view. With the exception of Broadway, Hudson Street, and Greenwich Street, there are few streets deserving particular notice. Most of the steeples are of wood, appearing mean to those accustomed to the sight of stone Of the public buildings, the City Hall and St. Paul's church, are the only two of tasteful architecture. The Catholic cathedral is large but not beautiful. There is no exchange for the merchants, and the shops are less splendid than the size of the city would lead one to expect. But when the feelings of disappointment have subsided, and the pedestrian knows what to regard, he may find enough to gratify. Broadway extends the whole length of the city, dividing it into two nearly equal parts. It is wide, and in several parts planted with trees. The houses are built of red brick, and are lofty and spacious. Several churches are placed in it, and others are within view; and the City Hall, an elegant marble structure on a stone basement, with an open space before it surrounded by iron railing, breaks the uniformity of the ranges of houses, and adds to the general beauty.

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