Cognorago, or the Vale of Spiritswhich bears an exact analogy to our Garden of Eden, or Paradise, such places as have been deigned worthy the care and the walks of God. Beardstown is situated on the southern verge of the Vale of Spirits, and where the ground is diversified by easy risings, and enriched with noble forests and improved land, abounding in domestic cattle and all manner of wild game. The prodigality of the inhabitants not as yet having been equal to the accomplishment of its ruin. The town consists of about fifty houses, frame, log, and brick, and derives much of its consequence from receiving the road through it which leads from the Eastern States, through Pittsburgh, Chilicothé, and Lexington, to New Orleans and stations on the Mexican Gulph: a rout of about eighteen hundred miles, for the most part over mountains and through swamps and wilderness; but which have now small taverns placed at convenient distances through its whole length. It is also the great post road to Tinesse, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Its market is extraordinarily cheap, as may be judged from the terms of board and lodging, being but from a dollar to a dollar and a half per week. week. Of the inhabitants I have already said enough to make humanity shudder. They trample on all the advantages spread before them by nature, and live in a brutal ignorance of the charms and luxuries which surround them. The principal part of the produce of the country about Beardstown is conveyed to the Ohio by means of the Green River, which rises near the head of Salt River, and pursuing a westerly course, empties itself into the . Ohio about fifty miles above the Wa bach River. To the S. E. lie the Great Barrens-several million of acres of no utility to man or beast, being entirely destitute of water. To the west a considerable way, flow the two great rivers, called Cumberland and Tenesse. The whole country, as far as has been explored, is found to lie on a bed of limestone, which generally lies six feet below the surface, except in valleys, where the soil is much thinner. I remained but one night at Beardstown. The following day I returned here by a different direction, but met with nothing to be described without a dull tautology. CONTENTS OF VOL. II. Indian incantations and charms-priests—their extraordinary knowledge and gifts-interesting explanation of the cause- very remarkable antiquities-encounter with a rattle-snake, which is killed-deer-wild turkeys-Lanesvelle-farther Little Kenhaway River-Belleprie-Bacchus's Island-fine view of it-the house-its elegant and interesting inhabi tants—a rural evening and supper-Big Hockhocking Ri. ver-New Lancaster town-its sudden rise and as sudden decline by a contagious sickness-Dutch cupidity and its consequences-Belleville Town and Island-the Devils's Creek -Letart's Falls-danger of passing them, especially Farther particulars of the great Kenhaway River-Lead mines -attrocious massacre of Indians, the family of the cele- brated Logan, the friend of the whites—its consequences— the battle of Point Pleasant-the speech of Logan-cata- logue of Indian birds-character of the Mocking-bird and Galliopolis, a French Settlement-Historical account of its rise, progress, and fall-its present miserable state. Various rivers and creeks-saw-mills-a fine salt-spring and an Indian pottery-Great Sandy Creek― central situation of its mouth-erronious accounts of Kentucky-corrected extravagant price of lands-an excursion-vestiges of the remains of a Chief of uncommon size-game-wild hogs Settlement of the French families removed from Galliopolis- Maysville or Limestone Town-Liberty Town-interior of Ken. LETTER XXII. Lexington described-churches-university—amusements— LETTER XXIII. Excellent navigation between Limestone and Cincinnati-Au- LETTER XXIV. Cincinnati-built on the site of an ancient Indian settlement- An excursion to the country of the Miamis-Lebanon town- LETTER XXVI. Dayton town, its fine situation-a snake or snapping tortoise- Dayton- a rich and fine country-trees, shrubs, and flowers LETTER XXVIII. Judge Symmes's residence, an elegant mansion in a charming LETTER XXIX. Excursion from Louisville-view of the country and its pro- THE END OF VOL. II. John Abraham, Printer, Clement's Lane. |