Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-06-06
EXTRACT
From Braekenridge's Views of louisiana.

the day declines, however, the air grows
cool and fresh. AT night the GOODNESS il
even such as to render fire indispensi-
bic. On leaving the town, / passed FOR
mile or two through wood of astonish-
iDgiy iuxuriant growth, and over plain
| of loose rich soil, and where there is
nothing TO vary the scene, but the variety
Of the vegetation. Just as the sun was
sinking below the horizon, / entered one
of those beautiful glades or natural mead.
ows. which are so often seen 10 this part
of the world, and never without produc-
| ing agreeable feelings. The storm OF the
passions had already subsidized in my
breast the objects which had successive
" caught my attention in jogging along,
had Gained my mind, and glad fancy
plumed her wing for flight to scenes Of
ideal enjoyments and pleasures. 10 this
state of MUD / suddenly emerged from
thesdark forest; the prairie spread out
before me all its enchanting beauties, and
fearful of passing TOO rapidly, reined 10
my horse. ! gazed with delight on the
smooth soft grass, on the numerous flow
ers, on the scattered strawberries Of su-
mac, with their scarlet berries, which
preserve their hues until renewed by
summer, and on the close empowering
woods, by which this garden Of the Dry
ads and Hamadryads, was enclosed as by
a wall. How serene the heavenly vault
above my head how rich and varied
underneath my feet, the hues and texture
Of the carpet woven by the fantastic hand
of nature! Cold is the heart that does not
barm0nize With our universal mother,
when her features wear an expression like
this. It was night when l reached the
further end of the glade, and then entered
a deep forest, where the massey foliage al.
mos. shut out the twinkliog light of the
stars. There was no danger of straying
from the road, for the woods are so close
as TO form a complete hedge. After
travelling. as conjectured, about four
miles, heard the barking Of dogs who
had discovered my approach; the sound
was not disagreeable, as / expected here
to find my companions, and repose fer the
night. As drew near the settlers cabin,
! discovered group Of persons seated by
a large fire, which was burning under aD
enormous tree. s Here be comes" seve-
raj voices cried out at once, for ii seems
that they had been expecting me, and the
settler coming forward requested me to
alight, with an appearance of good will
which made me feel that it was sincere.
The dogs who were at first very noisy
now whined kind Of welcome, as if they
would second the hospitality of their
master. l gladly accepted the invitation,
having been good deal chilled by the
cold night dews. | found my companions
seated 10 the midst Of the family, and as
much at home as if they formed part of
it. The family consisted Of the mother
and fourteen children, the eldest appa.
rently about is years of age blooming
girl; the youngest an infant. They were
all glowing with health. / made up an
acquaintance in few moments with half
a dozen young rogues aud passed the time
agreeably. The innocence, the cheerful
ness and content, which peryaded this
charming family; almost seemed to be
without alloy. The scene will never
fade from my recollection. They we're
neatly dressed 10 new cotton cloth, and had
nothing Of that wretchedness, or poverty,
or stupid ignorance, which is but too
common in the unfortunate peasantry Of
most countries. Looking around, found
myself ia the midst of the woods, few
trees were feIled rouod the house, which
was built of uuhewn logs, the interstices
not closed up.
The good man having secured my
horse 10 kind of shed, and giving him {
bundle of reeds which he had cut, re-
turned to the FIRE and resumed his seat.
I conversed with him on various sub
jects, and was much surprised at the gooG
sense as well as various Information which
he possessed. He gave me brief &C
count Of his reason for settling here. Hs
was native of Connecticut, had sold {
small property which he owned 10 The
vicinity Of Hartford, and had removed
to Ohio, with the intention of purchasing {
tract Of land on which to support his in
creasing family. But on his arrival, he
had found the price beyond his means
after the expenses he was Obliged to Incur
in transporting his family. He had
therefore come TO the resolution Of pro.
ceeding 10 the extreme frontier, and few
months before had reached New-Madrid
Here he had followed the example Of
others, and selected spot on the public
lands, in the hope Of being able to make
as much by the cultivation Of the soil, al
would pay for it by the time the Office fol
the sale of the public domain, should be
opened. II he should not prove success.
full, the improvements on the land would
render it more valuable to some one else