Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-05-02
From the London New Monthly Magazine.
RECOLLECTIoNs OF LUNDy's LANE.

RECOLLECTIONs OF LUNDY'S LANE.
The sun had just passed his meridional
altitude, and was blazing in his full glory,
in one Of those clear cerulean skies which
have never seen equalled, except in some
other portions of the North American con.
tnent. The native forests, which bounded
on two sides the farm of Lundy's Lane,
lay lonely and motonless and save for
the noise enused by the rapid motion Of
the wines of some beautiful little humming
bird, fitting occasionally from flower TO
flower, in the foliage of the majestic and
blossoming tulip tree, or the hum Of the la.
borious bee among the sweet buds and bios.
SONS Of the sugar maple, all was lfeless
and still as the grave. The roar Of the
"mighty Niagara" disturbed not the re.
pose of the midday lassitude that seemed
every where to reign, for its thunders be.
came softened and subdued through the
thick foliage Of the forests and, although
scarcely mile distant from the Canadian
shores of this mighty cataract, had it not
been for the immense column Of spray,
rolling upwards to vast height, and then
forming into a stream Of fantastic clouds,
impelled by gentle current of upper air,
stranger would never had supposed him.
self within one short mile Of this unparal.
leled and tremendous fall Of water.
The sun had not yet descended behind
the gentle summit Of Lundy's farm. The
cattle had not yet returned to their evening
pasture, nor the wild bee to its hive in the
lightning scathed pine tree; but the green
pasture was occupied by armed warriors,
and the faint hum of the insect creation was
drowned in the shrill tones Of the fife, and
the louder rattle of the battle drum. They
were the valiant troops ofmy own sovereign,
arrayed in that enchanting scarlet and white,
and the dear white and blue cross Of Saint
George Aauntcd proudly in each sken ban.
ner; and there were gay banners borne a
loft, with the emblazoned names Of many
strong hold in secured Spain, where their
gallant supporters had hardly earned their
crowns of laurel, when they lent their
proud name to adorn the living page Of his.
tory.
The noise Of the loud Niagara was lost
amidst the incessant rafting of musketry,
and the frequent thunders Of battery OF
cannon which crowned the gentle eminence
already mentioned: and the silvery column
Of spray was obscured in the dense sulphu.
rous vapor which the awakening evening
breeze rolled onward through the western
woods.
As yet no living enemy had appeared
and the fury of the assailants seemed TO be
wreaked on an offending and dsfenceles'
grove Of oaks which lay northward from the
centre Of the farm. But ere long more
formidable foes came for there issued from
that oaken grove two compact columns o
armed men, arrayed in dark blue uniforms
with many gaily striped, and star
spangled banner fittering in the breeze
and Notwithstanding the murderous and sue
cessive volleys of grape and musketr,
poured in amongst them by the British
troops, these new corners, and they wer'
Americans, boldly rushed forward TO thu
very centre Of their position. Long, doubt
full, and bloody was the struggle The sui
sank red and fiery through the smoke o
the baltle.guns and when the last fain
rays Of the evening twilight mellowed tn
splendor Of the golden west, still the battle
ragged, and various we're the successes an
hopes Of the contending combatants. Vic
tory never lowered more doubtfully over
well fought field both armies claimed hel
but in fairness she belonged to neither.
might with much propriety be termed, wha
} il really was, drawn battle
II was the lone hour of midnight, an
the scene had again changed; the pal
! moon hung her silvery crescent far over IN
, eastern wilderness while, ever and anoI
her gentle faco was yelled behind the fleec
clouds, which were waited along by III
J freshcned night breeze across the blue vau