Litchfield enquirer., 1853-08-11

was CAlleO NkuIuStSAmOuUs anu 1ttSueIO
Poontoosuck. The great commercial
metropolis of the new world, New York
was formerly called Manhattan. We Rave
become accustomed to the sound of New
York, and do not at fist recognize it.
unmeaning character. But when we cas-
aside the Influences Of old association. ant
look into Its derivation, we ind that it i.
really an unworthy name for such nobl,
city. How insignificant it appears wher
contrasted with the stately and prouC
Manhattan-the noble old Indian name
A disposition is prevalent to anglicizs
the aboriginal names, with view to rem
der them more euphonious. Thus Mon,
taup, the seat of King Philip, has beer
metamorphosed into Mount Hope; Quon
ecticut is now Connecticut, and Maugh
wawaume has been transformed into
Wyoming Allegheny surpasses in mel,
ody the original Yougbioghany and in
Seneca, Licking and Wheeling. it is
almost impossible 10 discover a particle
Of the original names. In the word Usage
an extraordinary innovation has been
made. 1t is pronounced by the Indians
Wausaushee. A clue to this corruption
may be found in the TACT that on the old
French maps the word is spelt Ouasage.
There are, to be sure. among the Indian
names, some which are not pleasing in
their sound, and others which are verita-
BILE "jawhreakers ;" but in what Ian.
guage can be found more pleasing and
musical names than Cascadilla, Tusca.
loosa. Susquehannsh, Tonawanda, Tusca
rora. Oneida, Saluda. Ottawa. Iowa, Ohio
Toronto, Pedee. Santee, Congaree, En-,
noree, Tennessee. Ossipee, Huron, and
others. Even those names containing
gutturals are many of them very eupho,
NOUS. ss Onondaga, o wanungah, Niak CARA
Saratoga. Csyuga, Ticonderoga. Oswego
Chenango. Minnesota. In pronouncing
these names the Indians dwell on the last
syllable but one. Mrs. Sigou,n ey. in the
following well known stanzas. beautifully
alludes to some of these old Indian names
and the almost certain prospect of their
being always retained:
. INDIAN NAMES.
How can the red men Be forgotten, while
30 many of our States and Territories, Rivers
and Lakes, are designated by their Names"
Ye say that all have passed away,
That noble race and brave
That their light canoes have vanished
From off the crested wave;
That mid the forests where they roamed,
There rings no hunters shout;
But their name ia on VOuP wnfePs
We may not wash it out.
IT'S where Ontario's bilIow
Like oceans surge 10 curled,
Where strong Niagara's thunders wake
The echo Of the world;
Where red "a issouri bringe tn -...
Rich tribute from the West,
And Rappahannock sweetly sleeps
On green Virginia's breast.
Ye say their cone-like cabins
That clustered Ger the vale,
Have disappeared as withered leaves
Before the autumn gale;
But their memory lveth on your hills,
Their baptism on your shore;
Your everlasting rivers speak
Their dialect Of yOge.
Old Massachusetts wears it
Within her lerdIy crown,
And broad Ohio bears it
Amid his young renown.
Connecticut hath wreathed it
Where her quiet foliage waves,
And bold Kentucky breaihes it hoarse,
Through all her ancient caves.
Wachusett hides its lingering voice
Within his roct heart
And Allegheny graves ITS tone
Throughout his lofty chartE
MOnadnOck on his forehead hOar
Doth seal the sacred trust,
You. mountains build their monument.
Though We give the winds their dust.