Southern shield., 1852-05-15

tween New fork and the Canada line. there are several gentlemen living upon estates owned by them A friend of one of the gentlemen, wrote 10 him from New York city, making inquiries with view to 'semi 7, grafton" ii the information received was , agrcaa5le. The Burlington (Vt) Ftel Press publishes the reply, which represents this undiscovered country second Buah The reply is as follows:
 -, Feb. 29th, 1852. Il DEAR SIR:-YourS of the 20th is receiv- ed, and hasten to give you the information desired for the benefit of your friend, as fol- fl lows:
 The soil, when you can get it, is compos- ed principally of Conglomerate, viz: mix ture of muck, moss, decayed fern leaves, ] paving stones and snow. I The face of the country, when not cov- cred with snow Is covered with a growth of 1 HemIock, Tamarac, and Cedar timber, ex- cept those portions which the enterprise of former years has attempted to clear these are covered with stumpS, rocks, fallen trees alder bushes and brambles.
 The fruits are various, compromising most of the species found in high attitudes, such as chokecherries, moo8eberry, whortle- berry and black raspberry, the latter in great abundance and perfection.
 Among the game is to be found the do- mestic fowl, the swallow, crow and bueiay and in midsummer, the nghthawk and screech owl.
 The animals hunted for their fur, are the cat, the chipmonk, the stray dogs; those chiefly esteemed for their flesh, are the muskrat, skunk and woodchuck
 The fishes embrace great variety, from the tadpole 10 the bulIpout; the sucker is salted down for winter use.
 The principal articles of consumption, are pork, white beans, apple sauce and rye whiskey.
 The principal articles ofimport are dried apples, buffalo coats, tea, tobacco, cotton cloth, molasses, bogus cigars, and spoilt oys, ters
 The articles of export are few, being on- 1 y such things as they don't want them- selves. The principal are, convicis to the Auburn and Sing Sing prisons, and emi- grants 10 California. The chief productions are white headed children which in time grow to be lumber men, pedlars, deacons, squires, politicians and rogues.
 Their means of getting a living are in- genious and varied-the most ostensble, however, is "dckering," at which they are very expert, swapping horses, trading cat tie, and getting boot
 Their chief amusements in winter are keeping up fire, watching the weather, going to funerals. whiting and breaking Steers-in summer these are varied, by get ting out manure, hoeing corn, acting as scare crows, and getting "down sick" eat ing green apples.
 The range of domestic duties is confined altogether 10 chance and the "women folks"
 Their principal business is an impertnent interference in other peoples affairs, 10 the entire neglect of their own, exaggerating evil reports, throwing obstacles in the way of public improvements, talking politics, and doing chores. The young leave their paterna roof at tender age and commence on their own hook, peddling popcorn, gin r-bread and molasses candy.
 The climate is a cross between Lapland and Siberia, not as cold as one and good deal colder than the other, but healthy.- The principal diseases are lame stomach, deIirium tremens, and "folks is sick"
 The articles of luxury, most esteemed are salt codish, dried pumpkins, and woolen gowns.
 The articles of furniture are a cooking tove, mop pail, and wash dish.
 Their farming implements, consist of an axe, saw, log chain, generally hooked, and a jack knife.
 Their education is confined to writing their name, guessing off hogs, making axe helves.
 Their moral and religious ideas, are vague and loose.
 They generally live to green old age and die as green as they lived. /
 Their principal places of resort, are the platforms of railroad depots, bar-rooms, jus lces' courts, and the public and private off, ces, where they have no business.
 Their habits are predatory and migratory.
 If your friend is a bachelor, it may be in- teresting to him to know, tkat the females (with few exceptons) have no front teeth, but their eye teeth are cut early, and are sharp and well developed. If there are any points not touched upon likely to influence him in the choice of residence, hope youI will have no hesitation in asking further en- lightenment. Yours, ever, &c., &c. ~-~~-~--~~-~oo~ D7 A fellow of a philosophic turn off |