ceded us in the ascent of this stream, as manifestly to owe its origin to this circumstance. Here we awaited

the arrival of our canoe, with some impatience, as it contained our gauze nets;-the only effectual defence against the attacks of the clouds of musquetoes which now assailed us.

Of the numerous little inconveniences, and the peculiar state of irritability, caused by these voracious insects, and their disagreeable buzzing, it would be impossible ... to convey an adequate conception, to one who has never passed a night in one of these dark and humid forests, surcharged with the ample mass of decomposing vegetation. We have often experienced this petty species of torment, particularly in our attempts to journalize the day's remarks; or when fatigue and hunger have made refreshment and quietude both necessary and grateful. These are trifles to be sure, which may be thought unworthy of notice. But-" it must be remembered, that life consists not of a series of illustrious actions, or elegant enjoyments; the greater part of our time passes in compliance with necessities, in the performance of daily duties, in the removal of small inconveniences, in the procurement of petty pleasures; and we are well or ill at ease, as the main stream of life glides on smoothly, or is ruffled by sinall obstacles and frequent interruption."*

5th. The channel of the river being now unobstructed for a distance, we concluded to proceed by water; and embarked a few minutes before four o'clock, A. M. The dew, which at this season of the year gives the night air a penetrating chillness, fell heavily; and so dense a mist hung over the river, as to intercept the view of objects at a short distance. Trusting to the experience of our steersman, we closed the moveable awning of our canoe; an improvement in this mode of travelling, which obviates

Dr. Johnson.

the two principal objections that can be urged against it, namely, the headaches caused by a glowing sun at noon, and the disagreeable effects of the night air.

The gradual dawning of a remarkably fine day, and dispersion of the fog; and the cheerful notes of the robin and gray linnet, soon induced us to raise our side curtains, to enjoy the prospect; and superadded to the recent change in our mode of conveyance, excited sensations of the most pleasurable kind. To increase this feeling, so soon as the light became sufficiently strong to allow the men to take a bolder stroke with their paddles, without the fear of running our frail bark against hidden logs, they commenced one of those animated Canadian boat songs, with which

"While their voices keep tune, and their oars keep time,"

they are accustomed to cheer their labours :—a species of merry chant,* which no one can listen to, without feeling the mercury of his spirits rise.

The river has its course through a heavy forest of trees clothed with a profuse foliage, some of which overhang the water, and others, riven from their very tops by strokes of lightning, project their bleached and denuded limbs amid the greenest foliage. When we throw, over a scene like this, the strong and deep lights and shadows of the living landscape, with its most minute objects reflected in the clear mirror of the stream: with here and there, a small log cabin on shore, surrounded with a few cattle; and the whole enlivened by the occasional flight of land birds, or the sudden flapping of a flock of ducks

* Chanson de voyageur.—This custom, as we are told by Gov. Clinton, can be regularly traced back to the period of the arrival of the noble Samuel de Champlaine in the Canadas, A.D. 1535.-Vide Observations on the Natural History and Internal Resources of the State of NewYork.

on the water, a pretty correct idea will be formed of a morning's voyage upon this broad and clear stream.

Although there is little diversity, and scarcely a prominent feature which could be so described as to be recognised by the future tourist; yet the eye is constantly employed in discriminating little objects that excite interest, or instituting little comparisons that convey pleasure. And without observing a solitary feature that creates the impression of grandeur, or fully satisfies the requisitions of beauty, there is that natural keeping which it is the aim of painters and poets to acquire; and we feel the full sensation produced by one of the most beautiful of scenes

"Where order in variety we see,

And where, though all things differ, all agree."

WINDSOR FOREST.

In ascending about twenty miles against a gentle current, we reached the foot of the Flat Rapid. Here we procured horses, and rode to its head, about six or seven miles; whence again embarking, we found no further obstructions and came to Fort Defiance at an early hour in the afternoon.

In the course of this day we passed a settlement on the left bank of the river, formerly called Prairie du Masque. This place, containing several buildings and a post-office, we should scarcely deem entitled to a passing remark, were it not to take notice of an instance of that vile taste for foreign and outlandish names, which prevails so extensively throughout our country; to the exclusion of pre-existing French, or aboriginal names, that are in many instances equally sonorous and pleasing to the ear, and always more significant and appropriate. This is particularly reprehensible, in our view of the subject, when the names of celebrated European or Asiatic

cities, are bestowed upon a collection of some dozen log cabins dignified with the appellation of town.

Of this mal-appropriation, perhaps the hamlet under consideration affords a sufficiently striking example. When the inhabitants thought proper to apply for the ap pointment of a postmaster, it was deemed a suitable occasion to discard the current name. And from a little similarity of sound, which struck the ear of some luckless name-monger, the lonely, rural, little Prairie du Masque, was changed into the high sounding, eastern title of Damascus ;-its present appellation, at least, with a portion of the inhabitants.

CHAPTER III.

Fort Defiance-Fort Winchester ;-Events of the Late War. Notices of the Scenery and Natural History. Anecdote relating to the Building of Fort Defiance.

Ride to Fort Wayne. Notice of Fort Wayne. tain Riley, and his new the St. Joseph's and St. Mary's. Worm. A Sketch of the Geology of Maumee Valley.

Wild Turkey. Honey Dew. Visit an Indian School. Captown of Willshire. Junction of Conchology. Silk

FORT DEFIANCE, so called, is estimated to be nearly equidistant between Fort Wayne and Fort Meigs, being fifty miles southwest of the latter,* and one hundred and twenty from Detroit. The appellation of fort, which is still kept up by the inhabitants, will excite the idea of a garrisoned work, although it has ceased to be occupied for military purposes; and the site of the fort itself, is only to be recognised by its ruins. But a few years have passed, since this position was the rallying point of numerous powerful Indian tribes, and the seat of extensive villages, the capture and destruction of which, as we have shown in the preceding pages, were objects that for several years baffled the strenuous efforts of the Republic. The course of migration has now placed it far within the

* Morse.