other rivers to the ague and bilious fever. The few inhabitants I saw were sickly, emaciated beings. No doubt the climate will improve when the land is cleared, and cultivation takes the place of the old original forests. Our engine is high pressure--the most commonly used on the boats in this river, being simpler in construction though more dangerous-accidents frequently happen. The larger boats do not run before December

when the river generally begins to rise.

Nov 8. Continued our voyage at 7 this morning, having anchored last night to avoid the difficulties of navigation and shoals in this part of the river. Passed Marietta, a small town at the junction of the Muskingum with the Ohio, which still continues winding through the mountains. Several beautiful little islands in the middle of the channel of a conical shape, and covered with noble forest trees. Some of the reaches or curves are highly picturesque; their great fault is their uniformity. . . . In our small cabin our party consists of 15 or 16 Americans, all sleeping in a room not 6 feet by four. Their toilette of a morning is simple and soon accomplished. They are something like the Albanians, who I believe never take off their capotes, until worn out. Passed the great and little Kanawha rivers which fall into the Ohio-names quite unknown in England, and here little thought of where rivers are so abundant. They are however, as well as most of the tributary waters of the Ohio and Mississippi, navigable to a considerable distance-a few hundred miles is considered here of little importance; they are little inferior to the first rivers in Europe, the cause I have no doubt, amongst others, of the wonderfully quick and improving condition of the United States.

Nov 9. Proceeded on our voyage at 8 o'clock, having anchored some hours on account of the Fog. Obliged to lay to at 12 o'clock to mend one of our paddle-wheels. Sir William and myself took a long walk in the woods where we saw some trees of immense size and growth. One elm we measured was 3 feet round the trunk. The beech, sycamore, and other trees equally fine. Our dinners on board the Packet are most abundant and better dressed than in most of the Inns. The boats which navigate these rivers are nothing more or less than floating hotels. Passed an improving town called Portsmouth in the Ohio state, and further on the junction of the Scioto. The Ohio has considerably increased in breadth, the mountains retiring further from the shores, and leaving a wide valley for its course. The broken trees lying on both sides of its banks, bear testimony to the impetuous force of its current during the seasons of its inundations.

We observe also more signs of cultivation during this day's passage.

The settlers from the North are beginning to make their way toward this fertile country; we met on the road from Washington whole parties-called here movers-in wagons who were directing their course West, towards the country of the Mississippi. Provisions of all kinds are already so abundant wherever there is an appearance of cultivation, and consequently so cheap that they scarcely repay the farmer, unless employed for domestic consumption.

Arrived at Cincinnati this morning, the capital of the state of Ohio. We landed on a paved bank of the river, with the buildings around forming a kind of Piazza. We saw here 20 large and small steamboats, and on the quay an immense number of drays and wagons, all indicating great trade and activity. This Town has risen within 2 years and in the very midst of forests, to be a place of considerable importance and trade. They have also the advantage of being free from the CURSE of slavery, which is not allowed by the laws of the State. The consequence is there is none of that slovenly appearance in the people and their houses, which I have observed uniformly exists in all parts of the country where the black slave forms the agricultural and laboring part of the community.

I have heard many intelligent men in Maryland and Virginia regret that those states have not followed the example of Ohio, New York, and others. They all agree that slavery there is a curse to the country, and an injury and loss to the proprietors. I have seen myself enough both here and in the west Indies to be quite convinced of the fact, and it is the best argument that can be urged against the continuance of slavery in our own colonies. Continued our voyage at 12. The river is no longer pent in by the Mountains, the land on both sides being flat, and af parently rich alluvial soil. Passed at night the Kentucky river, and at 7 this morning arrived at the town of Louisville, situated on the left bank of the river just above the Falls. This place is the 2nd large depot for the produce of the western and southern countries. The Falls are little more than a gradual descent, covering 2 miles, not navigable except when the river is full and even then dangerous. The government are constructing a large and substantial canal to avoid the impediments, which is not yet compleated. We were unable to get any accommodation at the Inn except in the public room with all the black-guards of the place. We therefore set off with our baggage to the steamboat below the falls, where we took up our quarters. We had nothing to do the whole day, but wander about in the neighborhood, which is rather interesting.

The number of steamboats here is almost incredible. I understood there were upwards of 500 on the Mississippi and Ohio alone. Articles of

all kinds of consumption are cheap in Kentucky and Ohio. Inquired the price of fowls which are one dollar per dozen. The climate through the whole country is fine and healthy in winter, subject however to the ague and billious fevers during the summer. Nov 12. We were compelled to remain another day, one steamboat not having compleated her loading. Went on board several that were lying below us. The largest called the Washington is built like a three storied house, and with every accommodation that could be found in a good hotel. In the principal cabin there were 20 or 30 state rooms fitted up, and the whole arrangement was most excellent. The common boats used on these rivers are built something like an immense coffin, and impelled entirely by the current of the river.

Nov 13. Commenced our journey at 8 this morning. The boat was heavily laden, and having two large barges also full lashed to her sides. Notwithstanding this immense weight we proceeded down the river at the rate of 6 or 7 miles an hour. We began to grow deadly tired of the Ohio, where after the first day or two the same constant uniform scenery offers little to amuse the mind or relieve the ennui of long confinement on board a steamboat. Our company was equally disagreeable as those we travelled with from Wheeling. At 7 this Evening our united fleet struck on a sand bank, and although the whole power of the engine was employed to force her off we made so little progress, that it was determined to wait patiently until morning. This delay was doubly annoying as we were too far from the shore even to take a stroll in the woods. Amongst our party was a French jugglar who attempted to amuse the company with his slight of hand. We were all however in such bad humor that we gave him little encouragement.

Nov 14. The vessel still fast aground, and no alternative but to take out her cargo. This occupied us till 12 when we were once more afloat; from some stupidity however of the pilot, we were again ashore and remained so until 3. The river is much wider here than above the falls; but the water so low at this season of the year, that we were constantly sounding in 5 or 6 feet water.

Nov 15. Began our journey this morning favorably at 6 o'clock. A frost last night & quite cold. Established an excellent quarter-deck on one of the Barges, where Eden and myself walked for 2 hours before breakfast. The river here is nearly a mile in width. We passed several small islands well wooded which give considerable relief to the view. There is however so little of the picturesque; or rather the scenery is on so large a scale, that Eden (who is a tolerably good sketcher) has not at

VOL. XIX.-No. 4.-23

tempted a picture. I employ my leisure hours, which comprise my whole time when I am not in bed, in getting up my Spanish for my Mexican trip. . . This is not the country where you can either see or fancy anything to make up an interesting journal.

Nov 16. Started this morning at six with another hard frost.

I observed scarcely any signs of population along the banks of the river, which has now become a wide and noble basin of water, with the exception of a few log huts where the settlers find sufficient employment in cutting wood for the steamboats. We anchored at 6 o'clock, and as it was a beautiful moonlight evening all our party went ashore to hunt the Raccoon & Opossum. We had no sport; the whole scene was new and interesting. They drive the Raccoon with dogs into a tree which is cut down and the animal destroyed. Matthews has a song in his caricature on the Americans, beginning with:

"Possum up the gum tree,
Raccoon in the hollow-”

which I did not fully understand until I saw this evening's amuse

Nov 17. Excessively cold this morning at 6 o'clock when we continued our voyage. Passed the Wabash river, which divides Indiana from the Illinois State. .. Sailed by some perpendicular lime stone rocks, rising abruptly from the river to the height of 60 feet. They are called here Bluffs. There is a wild fowl peculiar to this country, but more commonly met with at Washington and Baltimore, known by the name of canvas back duck. Their flavor is peculiar, but certainly superior to anything of this description of game in England.

(To be continued.)

A WASHINGTON RELIC

The recent number of "The Magazine of American History" devoted to Washington, serves to bring up another incident in his career which, though known in a general way, has a detail which is new to most students of history.

On the occasion of his visit to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1789, he called among other places at the residence of Madam Lear, the mother of his private secretary. Before his call he sent Madam Lear a note requesting that he might see all the children.* The occasion was a gala one in every sense of the word, and every attention due the honored Father of our Country was shown to him. The good Madam Lear, after the return of Washington, received from Martha Washington three china ornaments "for the children." They were taken from Washington's own mantel, and represented respectively a bird on a branch of a tree, a peasant with a bouquet of flowers, and a girl with flowers. For many years these remained in the possession of Madam Lear and her family. They were destined to be separated, however. The bird on the branch of a tree was presented by Madam Lear to Mrs. Edward Cutts, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, who was one of her intimate friends and between 'whom visits were regularly and often exchanged. The bird was then in excellent condition, without a crack in any part. The gift was duly appreciated by the recipient and carefully guarded. Threescore years and ten have elapsed since it went into the hands of its third owner. During that time it remained thirty years or more in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, an object of curiosity and delight to both young and old. In 1833 when Mrs. Edward Cutts removed to the central part of the state of Vermont, with her children and grandchildren, the bird was still cherished and followed the family. But forty-five years have since passed, and the china is sadly nicked and marred since the removal to Vermont. The spreading branch is gone, and only the bird on a tree stump remains to show its former glory. From Mrs. Edward Cutts it descended to the family of that lady's only son, the late Hon. Hampden Cutts, and at present is in the home of the writer, the grandson of Hon. Hampden Cutts.

As a specimen of work in china of an early day it is unique, and even in its present condition reveals considerable of the original shape and figure. Trifling in its intrinsic value, it has from association an unusual interest, especially as it is difficult to tell its exact age and earliest associations. The mere fact of its having been in Washington's possession gives it great interest, but, when we double or treble that, as one may by the men and things clustering about it in succeeding generations, it has no common value that man may estimate.

CECIL HAMPDEN CUTTS HOWARD Brewster's "Rambles about Portsmouth," Ist Series, p. 266.