rich meadows were noxious swamps. On those sunside hills of golden grain crackled the growing maize of the tawny aborigines. Where we stand, perchance to pause and consider, rest the ashes of a chief or of his family; and where we have chosen our favourite sites for towns or habitations, may have been the selected spots on which were hutted the now departed lineage of many generations. On yon path-way, seen in the distant view, climbing the remote hills, may have been the very path tracked from time immemorial by the roving Indians themselves.

It is not possible for a considerate and feeling mind, -even now, to stand upon the margin of such charming and picturesque lakes as the Skeneatteles, the Cayuga, and the Senecca, &c. without thinking how happily the Indians of primitive days were wont to pass their time in such enchanting regions; but they are all gone, all wasted like a pestilence. A few diminished tribes still linger about our remote borders; and others, more distant in the rude wilds, still gather a scanty subsistence from the diminished game. It would be to our honour and to their comfort and preservation, could we yet extend to them the blessings of civilization and religion. We owe it to ourselves and to them to yet redeem this wasting, injured, faded race.

"Crush'd race, so long condemned to moan
Scorn'd, riffled, spiritless and lone,
From heathen rites, from sorrow's maze,
Turn to our temple gates with praise!
Yes, come and bless th' usurping band
That rent away your father's land;
Forgive the wrong, suppress the blame,
And view your hope, your heaven, the same!"

STEAM-BOATS.

Against the winds, against the tide,
She breasts the wave with upright keel.

NEW-YORK is deservedly distinguished as being the first of our American cities which saw the successful use of steam-boat power upon its waters. Philadelphia had indeed beheld the efforts of Fitch's steam-boat as early as 1788; but as it was not brought into any effective operation under his management, the invention slumbered until it was brought out successfully in the year 1807, under the direction and genius of the distinguished Fulton. At that time he demonstrated the important fact, that the Hudson could be navigated by steam vessels; having shewn to the astonished citizens, his companions in a voyage to Albany, that his first boat made her trip in 30 hours; a time indeed nearly three times as long as now required, but triumphantly evidencing to the incredulous a new era in the creative powers of man.

Most amazing invention! from a cause now so obvious and familiar. It is only by applying the principle seen in every house, which lifts the lid of the tea kettle and "boils over," that machines have been devised which can pick up a pin or rend an oak; which combine the power of many giants with the plasticity that belongs to a lady's fair fingers; which can spin cotton and then weave it into cloth; and which, amidst a long list of other marvels, " engraves seals, forges anchors, and lifts

a ship of war like a bawble in the air;" presenting in fact to the imagination, the practicability of laboursaving inventions in endless variety; so that in time, man through its aid shall half exempt himself from "the curse," and preachers, through steam-press printing, shall find an auxiliary effecting more than half their work.

One whose genius has done so much for his country as Fulton's, deserves to be well known to her sons; we therefore take a mournful pleasure in repeating the facts as told to us by Judge Story, of the discouragements and incredulity against which it was at first the labour of Fulton to wend his way. I myself (says the Judge) have heard the illustrious inventor relate, in an animated and affecting manner, the history of his labours and discouragements:-" When (said he) I was building my first steam-boat at New-York, the project was viewed by the public either with indifference or with contempt as a visionary scheme. My friends indeed were civil, but they were shy. They listened with patience to my explanations, but with a settled cast of incredulity on their countenances. I felt the full force of the lamentation of the poet,

"Truths would you teach, to save a sinking land,

All shun, none aid you, and few understand."

As I had occasion to pass daily to and from the building yard while my boat was in progress, I have often loitered unknown near the idle groups of strangers gathering in little circles, and heard various inquiries as to the object of this new vehicle. The language was uniformly that of scorn, sneer, or ridicule. The loud laugh rose at my expense, the dry jest, the wise calculation of losses and expenditures; the dull but endless repetition

of the Fulton folly. Never did a single encouraging remark, a bright hope, or a warm wish, cross my path. Silence itself was but politeness veiling its doubts or hiding its reproaches. At length the day arrived when the experiment was to be got into operation. To me it was a most trying and interesting occasion. I invited many friends to go on board to witness the first successful trip. Many of them did me the favour to attend as a matter of personal respect; but it was manifest they did it with reluctance, fearing to be partners of my mortification and not of my triumph. I was well aware that in my case there were many reasons to doubt of my own success. The machinery (like Fitch's before him) was new and ill made; and many parts of it were constructed by mechanics unacquainted with such work, and unexpected difficulties might reasonably be presumed to present themselves from other causes. The moment arrived in which the word was to be given for the vessel to move. My friends were in groups on the deck. There was anxiety mixed with fear among them. They were silent, sad, and weary. I read in their looks nothing but disaster, and almost repented of my efforts. The signal-was given, and the boat moved, on a short distance and then stopped, and became immovable. To the silence of the preceding moment now succeeded murmurs of discontent, and agitations, and whispers, and shrugs. I could hear distinctly repeated, "I told you it was so; it is a foolish scheme; I wish we were well out of it." I elevated myself upon a platform and addressed the assembly. I stated that I knew not what was the matter; but if they would be quiet, and indulge me for half an hour, I would either go on or abandon the voyage for that time. This short respite

was conceded without objection. I went below and examined the machinery, and discovered that the cause was a slight maladjustment of some of the work. In a short period it was obviated. The boat was again put in motion. She continued to move on. All were still incredulous. None seemed willing to trust the evidence of their own senses. We left the fair city of New-York; we passed through the romantic and evervarying scenery of the Highlands; we descried the clustering houses of Albany; we reached its shores ; and then, even then, when all seemed achieved, I was the victim of disappointment. Imagination superseded the influence of fact. It was then doubted if it could be done again, or if done, it was doubted if it could be made of any great value." Such is the graphic history of the first experiment; a memorable and momentous epoch. How affecting and exciting to the inventor in that anxious and perilous moment of trial. We regret to add that he did not live to enjoy the full glory and reward of his invention. He saw his rights both as to merit and reward disputed; but now the whole world awards the meed of praise to this noblest benefactor of the human race. From his struggles against impediments, and his final triumph over incredulity and discouragement, let other great geniuses take lasting courage, and make perseverance to the end their cheering and sustaining motto.