EPOCHS OF NOTES.

he found himself done by the bursting of the South | cent. on the proprietors, enabled the directors to Sea bubble; how cleverly the bank in the '45 man-meet their difficulties and preserve their credit." aged to stave off stoppage by paying notes in sixpences to their own agents, who took the silver "In 1759, bank-notes to a smaller amount than 207. out of one door and then came back again with were first circulated; and the directors commenced more notes to repeat the process, so that the pub-issues of 157. and 107., to meet the necessity expelic could never get near the counter; and what a rienced by the community. sound view that practical man Mr. Thornton took of the war and invasion panic in '97, and the consequent bank restriction, when he declared the demand for gold was caused by the "want of notes, and not of guineas," and that if the bank had been more liberal in their discounts and in their issues of paper, people would not have run for gold!

"In 1795, the corporation commenced an issue of 51. notes.

*

"The necessity of an issue of notes under 57. being greatly felt by the commercial interest, an act was passed on the 3d of March, 1797, authorizing it; and by the 10th of the same month, notes for 17. and 21. were ready for delivery."

HANGING FOR ONE-POUND NOTES.

There are better, or at least more statistically "The circulation of 17. notes proved conducive to informing things in the volume, than mere gossip. a melancholy waste of human life. Considering the The story of the bank so far as charters and ac-advances made in the mechanical arts, they were counts go may be found there; not very complete, or simply narrated, but still with facts, and facts of value from being brought together. The author has also dug up many curious particulars of the early state of the bank and its struggles, when goldsmiths presumed to rival it, and could even contemplate its ruin. The following refers to 1715 and the first Jacobite rebellion.

rough and even rude in their execution. Easily imitated, they were also easily circulated; and from 1797 the executions for forgery augmented to an of crime. During six years prior to their issue there extent which bore no proportion to any other class was but one capital conviction: during the four following years eighty-five occurred."

66 THE TRADE IN FLIMSIES." "The odium thrown upon the Bank for the many deaths which have taken place for forgery must necessarily find some palliation in the subtlety of those who entered into the dangerous traffic. It was in truth a trade. The notes were frequently sold at so much in the pound, and, as in the instance about to be related, they were often sent into the foreign market. In 1808, Vincent Alessi, a native of one of the Italian states, went to Birmingham to choose some manufactures likely to return a sufficient profit in Spain. Amongst others he sought a brass-founder who showed him that which he re

article,' which he said he could sell cheaper than any other person in the trade. Mr. Alessi declined purchasing this, as it proved to be a forged banknote; upon which he was shown some dollars, as fitter for the Spanish market. These also were declined; although it is not much to the credit of this Italian, that he did not at once denounce the dishonesty of the Birmingham brass-founder. It would seem, however, from what followed, that Mr. Alessi was not quite unprepared; as in the evening he was called on by one John Nicholls, and, after some conversation, he agreed to take a certain quantity of notes, of different value, which were to be paid for at the rate of six shillings in the

"The feelings of the private bankers towards their great rival do not appear to have been very conciliatory. The same writer (of a pamphlet) says -'I humbly refer to a case recent in memory, of two goldsmiths (knights also, and one of them member of parliament too) in Fleet street, who pushed at the Bank of England at the time of the Pretender's invasion from France. One of them, it was said, had gathered a quantity of bank bills to the value of near 100,0007.; and the other a great sum, though not so many; and it was said, resolved to demand them all at once. Let the gentlemen Iquired, and then drew his attention to another point at inquire with what difficulty Sir R. Hoare wiped off the imputation of being a favorer of the rebellion, and how often in vain he protested he did it with no such view, and how hard the whigs were to believe him. Sir Francis Child, indeed, carried it with a higher hand; and afterwards pretended to refuse the bills of the bank, but still declared he did it as a goldsmith, and as a piece of justice to himself, on some points in which the bank had, as he alleged, used him ill.' The proposed invasion proved the esteem with which the bank was regarded by those whose good opinion was worth possessing. It was found that the Protestant succession had supporters as ardent as the adherents to the house of Stuart. When the run took place, many, instead of withdraw-pound. ing their deposits, carried all their cash to assist the establishment. The lord treasurer, Godolphin, who as an astute and able financier felt that the credit of the country was connected with that of the bank, informed the directors that the queen would allow for six months an interest of six per cent. on their sealed bills. Nor was this all: the Dukes of Marlborough, Newcastle, and Somerset, with others of the nobility, offered to advance considerable sums of money to the corporation. A private individual who had but 5007. carried it to the bank; and on the story been told to the queen, she sent him 1007., with an obligation on the treasury to repay the whole 5007. It is pleasant to read of such chivalrous devotion repaid in so royal a manner. Encouragement such as this gave a firmness to the establishment; and, united with a call of 20 per

"Alessi thought this a very profitable business, while it lasted, as he could always procure as many as he liked, by writing for so many dozen candlesticks, calling them Nos. 5, 2, or 1, according to the amount of the note required. The vigilance of the English police, however, was too much even for the subtlety of an Italian: he was taken by them, and allowed to turn king's evidence; it being thought very desirable to discover the manufactory whence the notes emanated.

"In December, John Nicholls received a letter from Alessi, stating that he was going to America; that he wanted to see Nicholls in London; that he required twenty dozen candlesticks No. 5, twentyfour dozen No. 1, and four dozen No. 2. Mr. Nicholls, unsuspicious of his correspondent's captivity, and consequent frailty, came forthwith to

town to fulfil so important an order. Here an inter- a community, induce people to embark in advenview was planned within hearing of the police- tures without reason and beyond their means, and officers. Nicholls came in with the forged notes. when they fail, the cause is in anything rather Alessi counted up the whole sum he was to pay, than themselves. Just now the commercial world at six shillings in the pound, saying, 'Well, Mr. Nicholls, you will take all my money from me. is suffering from a mania which has embarked an 'Never mind, sir,' was the reply; it will be all immense amount of capital in railway speculations returned in the way of business.' Alessi then not likely to yield the promised profit, or any proremarked that it was cold, and put on his hat. fit, for several years to come. The bank, as This was the signal for the officers. To the deal- usual, has displayed an incapacity to comprehend er's surprise and indignation, he found himself its position or the principles on which it should entrapped, with the counterfeit notes in his possession, to the precise amount in number and value The corn-trade has engaged in speculations that had been ordered in the letter. Thus Mr. so rash, that it is said dealers have in some cases Nicholls found his business suddenly brought to a paid, or rather have undertaken to pay, freights to close, and the brisk trade in imaginary candlesticks a higher amount than the commodity is now worth. finished, to the infinite welfare of the public." And in addition to the folly of man, we have just struggled through a dearth, and are suffering from Hence, of course, extensive derangement to coma scarcity of cotton in proportion to the demand. mercial men, as well as ruin to gamblers or speculators.

The story of the South Sea bubble, though having small relation to the history of the bank, is curious, and even appropriate, for its picture of public mania, without even plausible grounds to rest upon. It has also another aspect of interest, as showing that some of the public writers of the day, as in the case of the late railway mania, distinctly warned the public of the nature of the bubble; but the public then, as now, were not honest speculators, but fraudulent gamesters. To follow this point would lead to greater length than we can afford; but the following is a proof that there is nothing new, in this century, in the way of impudence and gullibility.

"The South Sea Company was a legitimate trade to some of the speculation which arose.

6

"Schemes were proposed which would have been extravagant in 1825, and which stamped the minds of those who entertained them with what may be truly termed a commercial lunacy. One was for the discovery of the perpetual motion.' Another for subscribing two millions and a half to 'a promising design hereafter to be promulgated.' A third was a Company for carrying on an undertaking of great advantage; but nobody to know what it is; every subscriber who deposits 21. per share, to be entitled to 1007. per annum.' Even this insolent attempt on the credulity of the nation succeeded; and when the arch rogue opened his shop the house was beset with applicants. In five hours 2,000l. were deposited in the hands of the projector; and from that day he ceased to be heard of in England. Projects like these enlisted the lowest with the highest. On some sixpence and on others one shilling per cent. was paid; and as no capital was required, the comparative beggar might indulge in the same adventurous gambling, and enjoy the same bright castles in the air, which marked the dreams of the rich and the great. Some came so low as to ask only one shilling deposit on every thousand pounds. Persons of quality, of both sexes, were engaged in these. Avarice triumphed over dignity: gentlemen met their brokers at taverns, ladies at their milliners' shops."

It is said that elderly and very weak-minded people, when suffering under physical pain, often fancy it arises from their position. They cry for change as a relief, and wear out the patience of attendants by incessant alterations of posture, without the slightest benefit. Something like this occurs when rash or desperate speculations infect

act.

People, however, will not admit that they are in fault: it used to be the bank—it is now the currency. Yet let us look at some of the results of an issue of paper unchecked but by the necessity of paying in gold. It is a chapter from the panic of 1825.

"The stoppage of the bank of Sir W. Elford, at Plymouth, while it added to the alarm in London, created a melancholy scene on the spot. The

people were almost frantic. The holders of notes crossed and jostled each other in all directions. There was literally a whole population, with food in abundance staring them in the face, unable to procure it, as nothing but gold would be taken. Daybreak witnessed the bank surrounded by tumultuous mobs, and the civil power mustered in front. A night of fearful omen succeeded to many an unfortunate family.' The run on the Norwich Bank was stopped by the notes of the Bank of England being given in exchange.

"On the 12th of December, the crash which struck terror and alarm throughout London commenced with partners in the banking-house of Sir Peter Pole and Co., which was said to have yielded 40,000l. a year for the previous seven years, announcing their incapacity to meet the claims of their creditors. At nine o'clock this stoppage was known, and the exchange was resorted to to ask the cause, and inquire if other houses were in danger. Forty-four country banks were connected with the firm, and the ruin of many was anticipated. The agitation of the city exceeded everything that had The funds flucbeen witnessed for a century. tuated violently. Rumors of the failures of other firms spread rapidly. On the 13th, an important house, possessed of half a million of undeniable securities, declared, after a most severe pressure, On the 14th, a an inability to meet its creditors. West-end banker advertised that, though compelled to pause for the present in his payments, he hoped to resume on the following Saturday; and in this he was successful. On the same day the distress was increased by the stoppage of two firms, known as Sikes, Snaith, and Co., and Everett, Walker, and Co. The confusion spread; men ran in alarm and dread to draw the balances from the hands of

their bankers. Lombard street was crowded with persons waiting in anxious fear or idle curiosity. A few gazers around a door was sufficient to create the destructive rumor that a run was made upon

*

the establishment. But there was no occasion for | portionate; and, at all events, there is quiet instead rumor. The people seemed to anticipate that the of riot-that most certain of dangers to the invester. bankers kept all their deposits to answer unreason- In Ireland the lands are in the possession of private able demands, and that the expense of a banking- owners, and of those moreover who cannot abandon house was maintained for the sole purpose of bene- a habit of exacting unpayable rents. Speculation fiting the public. Many a firm, of unimpeachable in the culture of waste lands at a rackrent would honor and unquestionable solvency, was compelled be a joke as wild as the Mississippi bubble. There to bend before the storm. The merchant looked to are exceptions to the rule of grasping landlords in his banker for support; but all the efforts of the Ireland, and laws might be passed to facilitate the latter were directed to save himself from destruction. appropriation of waste lands; but meanwhile, lands The usual channels of credit were stopped, and the in the colonies are unowned, or are virtually vacant circulation of the country completely deranged. through the low price of the market. Public works Checks came pouring in from all quarters; and it would be ancillary to settlement both in Ireland and was remarked, that the question would soon be, the colonies; but in Ireland public works are denot who goes, but who stands?' tested for their uselessness and jobbery; in the colonies they are needed, and are directly conducive to the general wealth. In Ireland labor is weighed down below the point of cheapness-down to listless pauperism, by the overwhelming weight of the two-million-and-a-half destitution; in the colonies labor is at a premium, and the only restriction on its gains is the paying-point of any employment. Many social circumstances conspire to defeat the benefits of home colonization; habit and the force of the general example are overwhelming; whereas emigration wrenches the laborer away from those evil associations, and compels him to "turn over a new leaf:" universal antagonism, the unceasing war of class upon class, breeds distrust, and prevents any faith in anything except class combinations; whereas in the colonies there is no time to get up such antagonism, and what the colonists know of their neighbors is a friendly coöperIreland the past is a history of universal failure; in ation in "husking bees" or " building frolics:" in the colonies, it is a history of unfailing success, attending even on apparent failure; the genius of Ireland is Despair; of every colony we have, it is Hope.

"For two or three days the most unquestionable security would not procure money; nor could the public funds be said to have a price. There was no market for bank, there were no buyers of East India stock. It was the opinion of Mr. Huskisson that in forty-eight hours all dealings would have been stopped between man and man except by way of barter. Owing to the difference in the money and account prices of consols, those bankers who were compelled to sell stock to raise cash paid at the rate of 72 per cent. for the necessity."

There is nothing like this now, or any apprehension of it. Numbers of people-large classes of society are hot involved in distress or ruin by men with whom they had no connection, or matters over which they could exercise no control. The trader who has refrained from speculation, or not diverted his capital from his legitimate business to railway schemes, may be straitened, no doubt, in the general pressure; but he is safe. Failure is confined to those who have brought it on themselves by their rashness, or to men who have trusted these speculators in the way of business. Solvent and prudent men are secure; upwards of seventy banks are not spreading ruin. through the country by their stoppage, involving traders and non-traders in one common misery.

We have not been speculating or theorizing, but rapidly describing the actual experience of the past, and of the present.

But, indeed, emigrant colonization and home colonization are not incompatible; so much the contrary, that systematic emigration would be the best of all auxiliary measures for bringing the waste lands of Ireland into use; it would afford space and EMIGRANT COLONIZATION AND HOME COLONI-lence which keeps out capital; would stimulate air for a new activity; would diminish the turbuindustry by raising its premium-wages; and

ZATION.

THE population of Ireland is not really redundant would infuse the animation of movement and hope there is land enough for all, if it were properly into the Irish breast.-Spectator, 2 Oct. cultivated; and whether you employ the Irishman

STRIPES.

in the transmarine colonies or in "home colonies," PUNCH'S PRIZE NOVELISTS.
there is but the one thing wanting-capital. Why
not, then, employ him at home, and spare him from
exile?

The reason is, that capital is not the only want. England could find the money to cultivate all the lands of Ireland to the highest pitch of scientific culture; but she desiderates the faith, the tranquil order, the very motives of industry. She cannot at a stroke carry those things into Ireland; but it is found by experience that the Irishman can be carried to them, and that he actually finds them in

the colonies.

Capital would give the preference to Ireland, for its proximity; but Ireland exhibits the strongest example of that which most deters capital-social disorder, and therefore English capital gives the colonies a preference over Ireland. There are many elements of risk and uncertainty in colonial investments, but colonial chances of profit are pro

THE STARS AND

BY THE AUTHOR OF "THE LAST OF THE MULLIGANS," "PILOT," &c.

THE King of France was walking on the terrace of Versailles; the fairest, not only of queens, but of women, hung fondly on the royal arm; while the children of France were indulging in their infantile hilarity in the alleys of the magnificent garden of Le Notre, (from which Niblo's garden has been copied, in our own Empire city of New York,) and playing at leap-frog with their uncle, the Count of Provence; gaudy courtiers, emblazoned with orders, glittered in the groves, and murmured frivolous talk in the ears of high-bred beauty.

66

"Marie, my beloved," said the ruler of France, taking out his watch, "'t is time that the Minister of America should be here."

"Your majesty should know the time," replied

Marie Antoinette, archly, and in an Austrian accent; | orange was drawn round each eye, while serpentine "is not my royal Louis the first watchmaker in his stripes of black, white, and vermilion alternately empire?" were smeared on his forehead, and descended over The king cast a pleased glance at his repeater, his cheek-bones to his chin. His manly chest was and kissed with courtly grace the fair hand of her similarly tattooed and painted, and round his brawny who had made him the compliment. My Lord neck and arms hung innumerable bracelets and Bishop of Autun," said he to Monsieur de Talley-necklaces of human teeth, extracted (one only from rand Perigord, who followed the royal pair, in his each skull) from the jaws of those who had fallen quality of arch-chamberlain of the empire, "I pray by the terrible tomahawk at his girdle. His mocasyou look through the gardens, and tell his excellency Doctor Franklin that the king waits." The bishop ran off, with more than youthful agility, to seek the United States minister. "These republicans," he added, confidentially, and with something of a supercilious look, are but rude courtiers, methinks."

"Nay," interposed the lovely Antoinette, " rude courtiers, sire, they may be; but the world boasts not of more accomplished gentlemen. I have seen no grandee of Versailles that has the noble bearing of this American envoy and his suite. They have the refinement of the old world, with all the simple elegance of the new. Though they have perfect dignity of manner, they have an engaging modesty which I have never seen equalled by the best of the proud English nobles with whom they wage war. I am told they speak their very language with a grace which the haughty islanders who oppress them never attained. They are independent, yet never insolent; elegant, yet always respectful; and brave, but not in the least boastful."

66

What! savages and all, Marie?" exclaimed Louis, laughing, and chucking the lovely queen playfully under the royal chin. "But here comes Doctor Franklin, and your friend the cacique, with him." In fact, as the monarch spoke, the minister of the United States made his appearance, followed by a gigantic warrior in the garb of his native woods.

Knowing his place as minister of a sovereign state (yielding even then in dignity to none, as it surpasses all now in dignity, in valor, in honesty, in strength, and civilization,) the doctor nodded to the Queen of France, but kept his hat on as he faced the French monarch, and did not cease whittling the cane he carried in his hand.

"I was waiting for you, sir," the king said peevishly, in spite of the alarmed pressure which the queen gave his royal arm.

"The business of the republic, sire, must take preceden even of your majesty's wishes," replied Dr. Franklin. "When I was a poor printer's boy, and ran errands, no lad could be more punctual than poor Ben Franklin; but all other things must yield to the service of the United States of North America. I have done. What would you, sire?" and the intrepid republican eyed the monarch with a serene and easy dignity which made the descendant of St. Louis feel ill at ease.

sins, and his blanket, which was draped on his arm, and fell in picturesque folds to his feet, were fringed with tufts of hair-the black, the gray, the auburn, the golden ringlet of beauty, the red lock from the forehead of the Scottish or the northern soldier, the snowy tress of extreme old age, the flaxen down of infancy-all were there, dreadful reminiscences of the chief's triumphs in war. The warrior leaned on his enormous rifle, and faced the king.

"And it was with that carabine that you shot Wolfe in '57?" said Louis, eying the warrior and his weapon. ""T is a clumsy lock, and methinks I could mend it," he added mentally.

"The chief of the French pale faces speaks truth," Tatua said. "Tatua was a boy when he went first on the war path with Montcalm."

"And shot a Wolfe at the first fire!" said the king.

"The English are braves, though their faces are white," replied the Indian. "Tatua shot the raging Wolfe of the English; but the other wolves caused the foxes to go to earth." A smile played round Dr. Franklin's lips, as he whittled his cane with more vigor than ever.

66

"I believe, your excellency, Tatua has done good service elsewhere than at Quebec," the king said, appealing to the American envoy ; at Bunker's Hill, at Brandywine, at York Island? Now that Lafayette and my brave Frenchmen are among you, your excellency need have no fear but that the war will finish quickly-yes, yes, it will finish quickly. They will teach you discipline, and the way to conquer."

"King Louis of France," said the envoy, clapping his hat down over his head, and putting his arms a-kimbo, "we have learned that from the British, to whom we are superior in everything: and I'd have your majesty to know, that in the art of whipping the world, we have no need of any French lessons. If your reglars jines General Washington, 't is to larn from him how Britishers are licked, for I 'm blest if yu know the way yet.'

Tatua said, "Ugh," and gave a rattle with the butt of his carabine, which made the timid monarch start; the eyes of the lovely Antoinette flashed fire, but it played round the head of the dauntless American envoy harmless as the lightning which he knew how to conjure away.

The king fumbled in his pocket, and pulled out a Cross of the Order of the Bath. "Your excellency wears no honor," the monarch said; "but Tatua, who is not a subject, only an ally of the United States, may. Noble Tatua, I appoint you Knight Companion of my noble Order of the Bath. Wear this cross upon your breast in memory of Louis of France;" and the king held out the decoration to the chief.

"I wished to-to say farewell to Tatua before his departure," said Louis XVI., looking rather awkward. "Approach, Tatua." And the gigantic Indian strode up, and stood undaunted before the first magistrate of the French nation: again the feeble monarch quailed before the terrible simplicity of the glance of the denizen of the primeval forests. The redoubted chief of the Nose-ring Indians was Up to that moment the chief's countenance had decorated in his war-paint, and in his top-knot was been impassible. No look either of admiration or a peacock's feather, which had been given him out dislike had appeared upon that grim and war-painted of the head-dress of the beautiful Princess of Lam-visage. balle. His nose, from which hung the ornament from which his ferocious tribe took its designation, was painted a light-blue, a circle of green and

But now, as Louis spoke, Tatua's face assumed a glance of ineffable scorn, as, bending his head, he took the bauble.

"I will give it to one of my squaws," he said.

"The papooses in my lodge will play with it. though the ground had been comparatively level, Come, Medicine, Tatua will go and drink fire-for tangled balsams and low bushes had much imwater;" and, shouldering his carabine, he turned peded our progress. his broad back without ceremony upon the monarch and his train, and disappeared down one of the walks of the garden. Franklin found him when his own interview with the French chief magistrate was over, being attracted to the spot where the chief was, by the crack of his well-known rifle. He was laughing in his quiet way. He had shot the colonel of the Swiss guards through his cockade.

Three days afterwards, as the gallant frigate, the Repudiator, was sailing out of Brest harbor, the gigantic form of an Indian might be seen standing on the binnacle in conversation with Commodore Bowie, the commander of the noble ship. It was Tatua, the chief of the Nose-rings.-Punch.

Correspondence of the Evening Post.

ROUND TOP, IN THE HIGHLANDS. MR. EDITOR-Your correspondents have, at various times, called the attention of your readers to the wild scenery of the Catskills, until the view from the Mountain House, the Falls of the Katerskill, and the Clove, are familiar to all. But these writers seem to have neglected entirely the magnificent panorama displayed from the summit of Round Top, and which embraces within its circuit more varied attractions than can elsewhere be seen in the eastern states. To remind the lovers of mountain climbing that there is such a mountain, and that its summit is as accessible as many another whence vastly inferior views are considered as richly repaying the toil of climbing, I have ventured to solicit a little space in your columns.

And here let me remark, that of the two peaks which are observed from the river to tower loftily above their fellows, and which are contiguous, the front one is properly denominated Round Top-the other being High Peak. The former is about two hundred feet the higher, and is 3800 feet above the river. By the country people, High Peak is known as Round Top, and Round Top as the Bluff, from the bold front towards the river. The elevation of the Mountain House is but about 2200 feet.

It was upon Monday, the 4th of this present month, and one of the loveliest days of the season, that two of us were riding up the valley of the Schoharie Kill towards the base of the mountain. A "white-frost" had fallen the preceding night, and, as usual after this visitant, the sky was unclouded, and the sun looked through an atmosphere entirely free from mist and vapor upon the gorgeous covering of these autumnal forests, and upon the delicate frost-work that overspread the valley, coating rock and herb with a garb of diamonds.

But as we began to climb the rocks seemed to lose their sternness, and friendly passages opened everywhere. From the first ledge a view far more extensive than that from the Mountain House greeted us, and we could follow the Hudson through a course of more than seventy miles. Continuing on, the climbing became more and more easy, and upon the top of every prominent rock that lay in our course we lingered awhile to delight in the rapidly expanding scene below. Every step opened a wider horizon. Soon we were upon a level with the range of mountains to the south; another climb disclosed a bold range still to the south of these, and at last we stood upon the summit, and looked down, with what emotions may be imagined, upon the great valley of the Hudson, tracing the misty water from Albany to West Point, and noting well the cities and villages that studded its borders, and the silent craft that dotted its surface.

Far to the north, the horizon was confused with the outlines of the Helderberg mountains, which seemed to join hands with the lofty peaks of Vermont. These were lost, in their turn, in the gentle outline of the range of Tahkonic that sweep through Massachusetts and Connecticut, disappearing in the distance of the south. Below, mountain and hill seemed reduced to the same level, and the whole expanse, chequered with wood and field, and threaded by tiny streams, was smiling in the October sun.

The summit covers an extent of two or three acres, and is heavily timbered with tall white spruces. Hence, there is no point from which the whole circular horizon can be seen at once, and for a western view we must look out some other position.

The ground was covered with long green moss, closely enveloping rock and fallen branch. Here and there we noticed the holes of the squirrels, and about them were piled scraps of spruce cones. As no nuts are found upon these mountains, excepting, occasionally, beech-nuts, the red squirrels are forced to look for some other means of subsistence, and in the seeds of these spruce cones evidently find a good substitute. Sometimes we heard the faint whisper of the blue snow-bird, or the lively note of the tomtit, as they were moving hurriedly through the branches; but elsewise, all was still as death.

Upon the western side we found no prominent rock whence we could look above the tree-tops, and for this purpose climbed one of the tall spruces. The scene from this was perhaps more magnificent than that from the bluff, for beneath us lay spread the whole range of the Catskills, ninety distinct peaks, of every conceivable mountain shape. Far to the west they stood in ragged relief against the sky, clothed in intensest blue. Coming eastward, this color varied its shade with every separate peak, until gradually it began to mingle with the painted hues of autumn, and at last we could distinguish the yellow of the beech and the elm, the fiery glare of the soft maple, and the gloomy green of the hemlock.

By ten o'clock we had arrived at the head of the Plattekill Clove, upon the southern side of the mountain, and here we left our horses under the care of a good-natured Dutch farmer, and girded us to the ascent. We were still a mile from the base, and the summit was perhaps one thousand feet above the road. The western slope of the mountain appeared much the easier of ascent, and we shaped our course thither; but after a half hour's walk through the forest, during which time we had not been able to catch a glimpse of the summit Down the immediate valley, the Schoharie Kill, through the dense tree-tops, we found ourselves one of the loveliest streams that ever wandered from unexpectedly upon the eastern side, and beneath a mountain home, threw towards us its gleam of formidable precipices that almost inclined us to turn silver in the declining sun; and towards the north back and attempt some other passage. Our walk we admired the quiet little lakes that are embowthus far had not been unattended with exertion, al-ered in the forests near the Mountain House.