over a stratum of slate. The banks, which at our entrance into this scene were perhaps fifty feet in height, gradually ascended for about half a mile, till they reached the height of one hundred and fifty. This height, commencing just above the great basin, they maintained for about three fourths of a mile farther. The chasm, every where from two to three hundred feet wide, is worn through the solid slate by the united power of the stream and the atmosphere. Of this substance, stratified in laminæ, often not thicker than a knife-blade, the banks are entirely formed. These laminæ like those on the banks of the Mohawk formerly mentioned, are so fragile as to be easily broken, and pulled out by the fingers; and when the hand is drawn with moderate force, they descend along the side of the precipice, in a shower. Below, runs a beautiful stream over a bed, clean and handsome; and with its continual windings, elegant cascades, and diversified murmurs, forms the only cheerful object in view, except the long narrow stripe of azure seen over head. On both sides rise stupendous walls of a deep black, awful with their hanging precipices, which are hollowed into a thousand fantastical forms; here shelving over you; there upright; and every where varied by the wild hand of nature. Long ranges of trees on both sides, overhanging the precipices, increase the obscurity, and finish the picture. As you advance up the stream, you proceed in a grand and gloomy vista, not sufficiently straight to show what is before you, until you suddenly arrive at a cascade sixty feet in height; where the water descends with a sufficient approximation to perpendicularity, to convert the current from a sheet into a mass of foam, perfectly white, and elegant. A little below is a bason, hollowed out of the rock so deep, as to be black; and, above, the eye traces the avenue through a considerable distance, until it is finally lost in the gloomy windings of the chasm. The impression, made by this singular scene, is not a little increased by an interesting relic of animated existence. On the brow of the Western precipice, so near that the walls of his mansion are visible below, lived, some years since, a hermit; who chose in this solitary spot to seclude himself from the walks of man. One of the gentlemen present engaged to obtain for me his history; but the engagement, like many others of a similar nature, was never fulfilled. This is the second hermit, of whom I have heard, in the United States.* That train of misfortunes by which *I have lately been informed of a third, who has lived many years between Norfolk in Connecticut, and New Marlborough in Massachusetts.† + The person here referred to, whose name was Timothy Leonard, died in New Marlborough in 1817, aged 70. He was born near Canterbury, in Connecticut, of parents in low circumstances, and bound out, and brought up in Woodbury. After he was of age, he went to the town of Fredericksburgh, (N.Y.) where his father then resided. When about twenty-four, he came into this town, a sprightly and industrious young man. He purchased a lot of new land remote from any settlement-went to work, cleared a fine piece of land, and with the help of his brother, who afterwards came to him, erected a small log-house, in which they lived together harmoniously. After a year and a half, he visited his friends, and returned a perfect misanthrope: was displeased, and quarrelled with his brother, and drove him away. He gradually became deranged. During the revolution, he fancied himself commander in chief, and frequently gave orders for the regulation of Congress and the army; copies of which are now to be seen. He called himself Admiral. He became troublesome and dangerous, and was disarmed by the civil authority. Since that time he has sought no intercourse with the rest of the world; has lived alone, in the wilderness, and obtained his subsistence by the cultivation of not more than one acre of land. This he manured with grass, leaves, and other vegetables. His principal living has been corn, potatoes, and pumpkins. For a time he kept some stock-had some pasture-but for a number of years he has lived alone, with the exception of a few domesticated fowls. Woodchucks, rabbits, skunks, weasels, squirrels, rats, and mice, and these without dressing, were the varieties of his table. His clothing consisted of two garments, fastened together at the waist by large wooden pins, and was made of wood, hemp, or flax, twisted coarse, and wove in narrow stripes, sewed together, and put on, and worn out, probably without cleansing; and shoes, or mocasins of bark shaped to his feet and worn off. He could read, always kept the year, day of the month, and week. He was not disposed to converse much upon religious subjects. He however kept a testament; paid some regard to the Sabbath; was addicted somewhat to profanity; and was a lover of ardent spirits. He expected after death to be about and take some care of his farm. For some years his strength has been failing, but he kept about till the very day before he died. His friends have endeavored to draw him from his retirement, but in vain. Thousands from the neighbouring towns have visited the hermit, for so he was called. He has often in the summer season been found naked; his head uncovered, and uncombed, and his beard unshaven. His neighbours have been disposed to assist him, but he has generally rejected their offers. The night on which he died, though his dress was uncomfortable and filthy, finding him very weak, they wished to have remained with him; but no, men are inclined to thwart the commanding propensity of their nature, and are driven out of social life into solitude, is here very rarely encountered. Hermits on the Eastern Continent have long been familiar objects: here they are almost absolutely unknown. In 1790, Canajoharie, then comprising a large tract of the neighbouring country, contained 6,156 inhabitants." In 1800, the present township contained 2,276; and, in 1810, 4,010. I am, Sir, yours, &c. to-morrow he should be about again. But in the morning early, he was found a corpse. His remains were the next day committed, with suitable religious services, and in the presence of a large concourse, to the dust, on the place where he had spent almost half a century in the manner described. He was perhaps equally destitute of friends and enemies. He was industrious and honest. He lived for himself entirely, and still was a lesson of instruction to thousands. The picture which he exhibited was, human nature in ruins. This account is taken from the Connecticut Courant for 1817.—Pub. LETTER VI. Story of Mr. Fonda-Sir William Johnson-Prospect from Tripe's hill-Johnstown -Amsterdam-Character of Hon. John Jay; and of William Pitt Beers, Esq.Cohoes-Waterford-Half-Moon-Stillwater-Saratoga. Dear Sir, WE left Canajoharie on the morning of the 4th, and rode to Schenectady thirty-four miles. At the Caghnawaga village, fourteen miles below Canajoharie, was exhibited, some years since, a strong specimen of Indian revenge. A Mr. Fonda, who lived here, was long a distinguished benefactor of the Six Nations; and had fed, and lodged, great numbers of them with the utmost liberality. One of these people was at his house, heated with drink, and very insolent. Mr. Fonda, having in vain attempted to quiet him, was at length obliged to force him out of the door. Some time afterwards several of the Senecas entered it together. One of them came up to him, and said," At such a time you treated my brother ill. You called him hard names, and dragged him out of your house." At the word he plunged his knife into Mr. Fonda's breast; who fell, and expired. This anecdote was mentioned to me by the Rev. Mr. Kirkland. The sight of Sir William Johnson's mansion in this vicinity, awakened in my mind a variety of interesting reflections. This gentleman was born in Ireland, about the year 1714. Sir Peter Warren, having married an American lady, purchased a large estate on, and near, the Mohawk. In the year 1734, he sent for Mr. Johnson, who was his nephew, to come, and superintend the property. To fulfil the duties of the commission, Mr. Johnson seated himself in this spot. Here he became, of course, extensively acquainted with the Six Nations. He studied their character; acquired their language; carried on an extensive trade with them; and by a course of sagacious measures made himself so agreeable, and useful, to them, that for many years he possessed an influence over them, such as was never gained by any other white man. His constitution was unusually firm; and his mind hardy, coarse, and vigorous. Unsusceptible of those delicate feelings, by which minds of a softer mould are in a great measure governed; destitute of those refined attachments, which are derived from a correspondence with elegant society; and unconfined by those moral restraints, which bridle men of tender consciences; he here saw the path open to wealth, and distinction; and determined to make the utmost of his opportunity. In troublesome times an active, ambitious man hardly ever fails to acquire some degree of consequence. Such were the times, in which Mr. Johnson resided at this place; and so persevering and successful was he in turning them to his advantage, that he rose from the station of a private soldier to the command of an army, and from the class of yeomen to the title of a Baronet. In the year 1755 he led the provincial army to Lake George; where was achieved the first victory, gained on the British side, in the war commencing at that period. For this victory, towards which he did little more than barely hold the place of Commander-in-Chief, he received from the house of Commons £5,000 sterling; and from the king, the title of Baronet, and the office of superintendent of Indian affairs. In the year 1759, being at the head of the Provincial troops, employed under Brigadier-General Prideaux to besiege Fort Niagara, he became, upon the death of that officer, Commander-in-Chief of the whole army: and directed the siege with activity, and skill. On the 24th of July, a body of French and Indian assailants approached, to raise the siege. Sir William marched out to meet them; and gained a complete victory. The next morning the fort itself surrendered; and the garrison were made prisoners of war. In 1760, he led 1,000 Iroquois to join the army of General Amherst at Oswego. With this body he proceeded under the command of that illustrious man to Montreal. Here he concluded his military career with honour; being present, and active, in a distinguished station at the surrender of Canada. This event took place in 1760. He died July 11, 1774, at his own seat, aged 60 years. The ser |