The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-02-25
MHSCEELM ~ EOUS.
II f X A s


this new country, which is beginning to attrac,
universal attention from its rapd increase in
population, wealth and power. Some writers
represent it as Paradise-others as the home OF
pestience- the retreat of yagabonds We have
been sadly puzzled to find out any thing to be
relied on among the various descriptions given
by interested individuals from time to time, of
Texas. But we find, i'll a statement lately pub.
iished by the Rev. Mr.. Stevens, Methodist
Clergyman of Providence, r. J., the following
particulars, which are very interesting, and we
think may be relied upon.
Take the map of that Republic, and examine
its geographical position. Nature has furnished
it with boundaries. The Sabine river sep arates
it from the United States on the East, the Red
River on the North, the Rio Bravo from Mexi-
co on the South west, while on the North west
it stretches indefinitely, and will, perhaps reach
California on the Pacific. It's coast commands
the best ports on the Gulf of Mexico-the har.
bors OF Mexico being all poor.-The navigation
of that important will be chiefly commanded
by Texas. She is aware of this, and is already
establishing smart little navy. In this depart.
ment of her strength she already excels Mexico,
and could, with ease, blockade her coast at this
moment Her western boundary syet unsettled,
but there can be no doubt that its determination
will he chiefly with Texas herself The most
limited estimate we can make of her territory is
at least six times the area of New York.
ing inland from the Gulf between 200 md 300
miles. 1t seems indeed TO be mn immense ebra,
sion from the eastern spurs Of the Rocky Noun
tains, declining gradually to a level with the
Gulf. First, for about mn average Of fifty miles
inland, are the low lands, consisting OF vast
pralres, with scarcely precepbe disparity of
surface. The rivers and streams, running down
from the more elevated interior, form channels
through it, and are generally lined with timber.
The soil is exhaustessly rich in the low country,
suitable for all tropical productions, especially
cotton, sugar, rice, &c. Next appear what are
called the unduating or rolling praries. Sup
pose the ocean after storm. when the waves
are still high, perifed in an instant, and clothed
with verdure, and you may form some concep-
lion Of this portion OF Texas. l have seen the
most celebrated scenery of the United States,
Canada and Europe, but have never seen any
that exceled The rolling praires of Texas-a
specimen of landscape which, defined, as it is,
by the very line of beatty, covered alter.
nately with groups of timber and the luxurient
grass and the wild flowers of the prairie, with
vast herds of cattle scattered over it, and frequent
streams interseo.ig il, creates in the mind of the
traveller the illusion that he has got into some
land of beautiful visions-some Ell Dorado,
where magic powers operating to shape and
color all things into beauty. There is no sub
Unity, no rugged grandeur about The scenery OF
Texas but the most bland, the most unniixed
beauty, the very spirit of beauty, seems breathed
over the hills aud daIes and skies. have rode,
day after day, over these rolling praires, when
every few rods would throw into view some new
prospect on which the eye might rest with de-
light for hours, while my way has seemed to he
through cultivated flower garden, and the air
was fragrant with perfume. Every one who
has travelled into the interior OF Texas UNDER
stands what these words fail to describe. With
these advantages her soil is unsurpassed by the
best specimens of the Valley of the Mississippi,
producing, as above mentioned, luxurient crops
of Gotten, sugar, corn, &C., in the high lands all
the staples of our Northern States. The third
section of Texas-the mountains, or extreme
Morrill, have not visited, and cannot therefore
describe Travellers assert il to be more beautl'
tnl than even the rolling prairies.
IN respect to climate, yon can judge from lis
latude to some extent. i need not suggest to
you the effect which the declinarion OF the whole
country to the North must have OIL the climate.
We all know in the North the importance OF Inc
southern side OF hill in agricultural matters.
The whole surface of Texas has this advantage.
This circumstance produces another advantage
which believe is almost peculiar to Texas a
mong the countries of the Cult coast, VIZ a oar
iy sea-breeze i'm the summer. The rareiacuon
produced by the concave form Of the surface oc-
casions an influx Of the cooler breeZes OF inc
sea, which sometimes rises to the violence OF
gale and sweeps over the country with retresh'
ing effect.
The effects of the climate on health are much
the same as in our Southern States. The chief
diseases are fever and ague, bilious and conges'
tive fevers. These prevail mostly in the South
-ern Or low country. In the higher lands wher,
ever they most common, 1t IS rom ioca
causes, as swamps, &c. The mortality in the
Southern country has struck me as remarkable
Perhaps it is chiefly owing to the habits OF the
people. They drink much discriminating liquors.
tits singular fact that in the most infiammatorIy
sIl the most inflam,natory diet preva''s;
ih's is peculiarly true of Texas Coffee, one o,
the most bilious of drinks, is used generally and
at at most every meal in those very sections where
The bilious type prsdomnates in all their diseas-
es. Enormous quantities Of animal iood are
consumed.
When the wind happens to come from the
North West it brings with it the cold OF the
shows Of the Rocky Mountains, and reduces the
thermometer with singular rapidity. This rem
usrs rheumatic affections common, hut the perl
DDS of such weather. beinp brief and seldom,