but as a Territory, her name has been familiar to the world for many years. The character of its scenery and people is as original as its situation. Almost surrounded by water, it possesses all the advantages and beauties of an island; while at the same time it is but a small portion of a vast whole. Its streams are numerous and clear, but generally sluggish. A portion of the extreme North is uninhabited by human beings, owing to its barrenness. Huge granite mountains here loom upward in eternal solitude; sometimes presenting the appearance of having been severed asunder, and scattered around by some mighty convulsion of nature. On the borders of the cold and desolate lakes thus formed, the crane and the bittern rear their young. Occasionally on the brow of some jutting crag, may be discovered the meagre hut of some poor Indian. Perhaps a barbarous anchorite, to whom the voice of fellow-man is a grating sound, and to whom existence is but a mist, a dream; or it may be some disgraced warrior, who has been banished from friends and home to dwell in this dreary solitude, with no companions but a half-starved dog, rugged pines, and frowning rocks. But this section occupies only a small portion of the State. The surface of the western half is destitute of rocks and undulating; and it is here that the loveliest of lakes, and streams, and prairies are to be found. Lake Michigan, the second in the world, is its western boundary. The eastern portion is entirely original in its appearance, possessing many beauties peculiarly its own. It is so level and low, that a stranger on approaching it from Lake Erie, is often surprised to find himself in port, while in the act of looking out for land. This shore is watered by the Huron, St. Clair, and Erie lakes. Well then, this, beloved reader, is the State over which my memory will now wander, in search of something that will please your fancy, and bring to your heart thoughts of peace and purity. This is the country where the first fifteen years of my existence were pass ed, - this the theatre where my future character as an actor in the drama of life, was formed and first acted out. Remote from the glitter and noise of the great world, I used to wander all alone through her dark forest, and bathe in her pure streams without a care or thought to mar the peacefulness of life. A thousand words now full of meaning, and familiar to my ear, were then but unmeaning sounds. Those were the days when I sported on the lap of Nature, feeling it to be a luxury to breathe. Will they ever return? Ask that evening breeze whether it will ever again cool the fevered brow of that dying man! How changed is my present condition! I am a man; acquainted with the world, its vices and follies; and a dweller in the largest city of America. Unknown I came here, and unnoticed do I still live in the midst of thousands, the majority of whom are eager in the pursuit of pleasure, not happiness. I am with them, but not of them. Come, ye recollections of the past! and again take up your abode in the chamber of my soul. O, I would not relinquish the enjoyment ye afford for all the wealth contained in the marble palaces around me. It has been my fortune, even from childhood, to be classed with those, of whom it is often said, "they never will amount to any thing." It is my duty now, in the very face of this parental edict, to "rise up and say," that in one profession at least I have become eminent, if not perfect; and that is hunting. Let me give you a sketch of one of my river hunts. My father's farm was situated just above Monroe, about two miles from the mouth of that beautiful stream, the river Raisin. It is early morning, in the latter end of spring. Breakfast is ended. My cap and buckskin shirt are on; the latter gathered round my waist by a scarlet-worsted belt. My powderhorn and shot-pouch are filled with the nicest kind of ammunition; and in my hand is my dear little gun, (bought expressly for myself,) polished bright as a sunbeam. I have kissed "winding the baby, and am now on my way. At the mouth of the river, I borrow a canoe of some old Frenchman who resides there. If I were to offer him pay, he would not accept it; for the interesting reason that he "knows my father." day long I have been hunting. * ** All the The sun is in the West, and I am hungry. I have paddled around many a green and lovely island; and explored many a bayou, and marsh, and outlets of creeks, frightening from her lonely nest many a wild-duck and her brood. My shot-pouch bottom of my is now empty, although the canoe is covered with game. There are five canvass-backs, three teals, three plovers, two snipes, one wood-duck, and several other kinds of water-fowl. The canoe is drawn up on shore, and with my thanks I have given old Robare a duck or two. My game is now slung upon my back, and I am homeward bound, proud as a young king. While passing through the village (for I have to do so) I hear a voice exclaiming, Lally, Lally! I approach, and find my father and several |