the garrison could fire directly on the assailants. But should their resistance be overpowered, and half the building be shot away, the other half would stand as firm as before; each piece of timber in the roof and walls being so fixed, as to be independent of the rest. So that if a piece of artillery were played upon the Block-house, that part alone, against which the ball struck, would be displaced, and every other remain uninjured. From Fort Chippeway we followed the course of the river to Fort Erie. In the latter part of our ride we observed that the land is rich, and well cultivated with Indian corn, gourds, and squashes; melons are also planted between the rows, and attain great perfection. Our inn at Fort Erie is a wretched log-house, with scarcely a whole pane of glass in any of the windows. Unfortunately for us a heavy rain fell last night, that beat in upon us, as we lay asleep on the floor, folded in our buffalo skins; but our greatest hardship is want of food, and the little we get is so bad, that nothing but hunger can make it go down. We wait only for a fair wind to set sail across Lake Erie, and I am so tired of our quarters, I do little but watch the weather-cock. Present my affectionate duty to my mother, and think often of your absent

ARTHUR MIDDLETON.

LETTER

LETTER XXXVIII.

Mr. Franklin to Edwin Middleton.

District of Malden.

MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND,

FROM the account your brother gave of our accommodations at Fort Erie, you may believe we willingly obeyed the summons of our captain to embark. We had not been two hours on board before the signal gun was fired, and the vessel scudded before the wind. Evening approached, The vast body of water, bounded only by the horizon, glowed with the rich tints reflected from the western sky. The tall trees of the forest, that adorned the shore, seemed tipt with gold, by the last beams of the setting sun. All was hushed and tranquil, as if nature were at rest. The moment was favourable to reflection. My mind wandered across the Atlantic with satisfaction, in the consideration that the same Power under whose protection I had been preserved in safety through so many changes of climate, watched over my friends at home. I sunk to sleep under a strong impression of the goodness of the Universal Father. In the morning, the face of nature presented images

of

of his power. The surface of the water, which before was smooth and clear, became agitated with swelling waves, that tossed the vessel about furiously. The wind blew a hurricane; and the sky was obscured with black clouds, that reflected their sombre hue on the bosom of the lake. Several hours our frail bark had to contend with this war of elements. The scene was awful, and excited the most reverent ideas of the majesty and omnipotence of the Author of Nature. The wind subsided towards the close of day, and the appearance of the lake resumed its former harmony. During the rest of the voyage, a moderate gale filled the sails, and we advanced as fast as we could desire. We were several days on the passage, the lake being near three hundred miles from the western to the eastern extremity; and so deep, that, in calm weather, vessels may securely ride at anchor in any part of it; but when stormy, the anchorage in the open part is not to be trusted, because the sands at bottom are loose and give way. The height of the land is very variable. In some places, long ranges of steep mountains rise from the very edge of the water; in others, the shores are so flat, that when a strong wind drives the water towards the land, the country is inundated for miles. As we approached the western -side of the lake, we observed several clusters of islands, which present very pleasing scenery, being all adorned with wood, even to the very

smallest ;

smallest ; and the water near the banks is covered with the beautiful flowers of the water lily. The larger islands produce various kinds of fine timber; amongst which are oaks, hiccory trees, and red cedars, of such extraordinary size, that they are often carried forty miles distant, to the British settlement on Detroit river. None of these islands. are diversified with rising ground; and in the interior parts of some of the largest are extensive pónds and marshes. From the moisture and richness of the soil, probably, arises the vast number of different kinds of serpents that abound in them; so that, in summer, it is dangerous to walk among the long grass. Raccoons and squirrels inhabit the woods in multitudes; and when the lake is frozen between the main land and the islands, bears are occasional visitors. Ducks and wild-fowl haunt these ponds and marshes; and the shores swarm with gulls. The same wind that carried us across the lake not being favourable for entering Detroit river, we were obliged to lie at anchor under Middle Island till it changed, and taking the advantage of this circumstance we went on shore. After amusing ourselves with a walk, we were hospitably invited to partake of an entertainment, prepared of their greatest delicacies, for us, as strangers. Amongst other novelties, there was a rattle-snake, said to be of excellent flavour, and the flesh was of a beautiful white; but we Europeans could not sufficiently overcome our prejudices

The

to taste it. The signal-gun again summoned us on board; and in a few hours we entered Detroit river, which does not exceed five miles in width. shores are thickly wooded, and, towards the new British port, enlivened by Indian encampments and villages; and beyond them are seen the British settlements. The river was crowded with Indian canoes and bateaux,; and several pleasure-boats were cruising backwards and forwards, in the expectation of meeting our vessel, which was freight. ed with presents for the Indians, sent annually by the British government, to secure their attachment and friendship. At length our vessel moored opposite to the house of the superintendant of the Indian department, to whom we were introduced by letters of recommendation. He welcomed us with the greatest politeness; and here we have taken up our abode, till some friends from Montreal have transacted their business, which is likely to detain them some time. The neighbourhood that extends along the eastern side of Detroit river, is called the District of Malden. The houses towards the lower end are widely scattered asunder; but at the upper end the inhabitants have formed a small town, that has not yet received a

name.

Some of the farms are of considerable size. That of our friend, the superintendant, is one of the best cultivated. The house stands pleasantly in view of the river, which is often picturesquely adorned