Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-09-27

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rent boundlessness where we were in the
midst Of it. and its green pillows just ruffled
by the breeze on every side, as far as the eye II
could reach, struck me with an indescriba-
bic awe, now arising TO the sublime, and
now melting into wonder and delight
II was Just past the middle OF June, when
crossed this magnificent prairie. The
grass was about eighteen inches high, very
thick and ofthe finest summer verdure The
wild flowers OF the season were in their go-
ry The day was hot, though not Cypress
ive--for the breezes tanned it. There were
just clouds enoughin the sky TO give alter
nate shade and sunshine, as they fitted over
the boundless expnnse. To my magina.
ton, il was the great ocean, into which
was launching dotted with islands. and here
and there enliyened by the appearance Of
tall merchantmen, in the edge Of the horizon.
The belts and patches Of the fine woodland,
some of;hem so distantihat you Gun only see
the dark outline. are the islands, and the sim
gle majestic trees are the merchantmen, now
beating up proudly against the wind, and
now spreading all their sails. as they hy be-
fore it. You need not tell me il was all H.
lusion2 What if il was Did | enjoy lit
the less2 No--ratheT the more. 1t was a
lfairyocean, which is never dashed by the tenn
pest but all the liyeIong summer, lies
spread out in gladness and beauty. drinking
in the rain aud the dew, and rejoicing in
sweet light of heaven TWAS enchantment
and how could wish the apell ever broken !
But the stageman's horn sounded we were
already al the landing. and had time only
TO cast few long lingering looks behind,
while fresh horses we've brought out TO
speed US on our way.
Il 1t is said there is one in Illinois which is
no less than ftty miles over. This is cal
led the grand prairie, as well il may be;
and suspect that most Of the smaller ones
are connected by narrow strips OF vcrdure
winding about among the rimbers,' like the
straits and arms Of the sea, among the clus-
tiers of beautiful islands.
, The question has often been asked. how
: the praries Of the west. especially the lar
| gest OF them are ever 10 be seuledP How
can any body live without frewood, fenc-
ling and building ,imherf Who would be
willing, il he could make up township for
Inothing. TO launch out. ten or twenty miles
8 from every landmark. and occupy il?
Now il cannot be denied, that the scarcity
/ Of woodland is very great objection to
Missouri But the objection is so far from
j being insuperable. that few years will
greatly weaken if not obva,e it entirely
In many places, perhaps NIL. you have only
TO keepthe fires off and young growth o.
oak, walnut, ash. tulip. &C., will spring uT
' OF its own accord. noticed "A great many
! such fine embryo forests about the settle
ments, where few years ago there was moi
a shrub nor leaf to be seen. Besides
wood and timber may be planted, anywhere
4 and everywhere with the certainty Of a fal
: more rapid growth than We are accustomed
J. to observe in the northern and eastern States
r The black locust, particularly which makes
r excellent timber, grows with astonishing
g rapidly. There is supposed TO be NOR
# wood and timber ut this time, in northern
q and central Illinois, than there was tel
4 years ago; and have no doubt there will b.
n much more ten years hence than there il
!, now. The prairies will soon be taken up
! and there is nothing in the way Of their be
E coming densely populated. Already sever
n al fourishing settlements are springing VI
!, fur out upon these smooth and leahess un
i dulations, and the busy hum OF industry !!
= breaking upon the silence and solitude of /,
= thousand years One OF these settlement,
3 is just commenced on the great prairie
/. which have attempted TO describe. unde
/. the most encouraging auspices. Two years
|. |ago, a company of enterprising farmers
I with joint capital Of $4,000, in Rhod'
+ Island. sent out an agent to purchase town
ship OF $4,000 acres To the astonishmen
o Of every body in the vicinity, he located hi
I township in the midst of the prairie. / bell
: eve there was not single tree or bush OF
the whole tract But The long swells ant
! other inequalities of the service are extreme
: " beautiful, and the soil is Of the riches
! quality
The company highly approved of thu
selections; named the town Delavan, ant
commenced by erecting very large house
/, near the water. which now serves for a no
: tel and church. and accommodates The fami
! lies as they successfully arrive, till they car
erect houses for themselves This each sci
!. tier does upon his own portion Of the tract
an equitable division having been made
: soon after II was purchased. Several o
these families are already comfortably set
4 tied; large fields partly with turf enclosures
: are under cultivation. and there is ever,
!, prospect that here here the delighted travel
: er will soon find an industrious, and highly
! prosperous commonly specially as ons
! of the articles of the compact is. that no ar
!, dent spirits shall ever be brought into tbs
: the town and sold, or used as drink. |
! lthey can keep out alcohol, with its legior
!, OF DEVILS there is nothing to prevent then
from being one of the most happy and indie
pendent communities ia the State. oh wha
y kI.se;n, =, h xo,,ld he m the Great West