164 MICHIGAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



scenery of the Great Lakes, experiences of explorers, historical and 

 antiquarian sketches, studies of plants and animals, critical discussions 

 of climatology, essays on the seasons, "etc. Throughout all of its many 

 chapters is seen the ability of its writer to observe critically, generalize 

 judiciously and record truthfully and graphically. In its pages, more 

 faithfully perhaps than a stranger would infer from its title, are the 

 painstaking studies of half a centur}' epitomized. 



One of the most charming features of Bela Hubbard's writings is the 

 reflection from them of his strong love of nature. To justify this claim 

 permit me to transcribe three independent passages from his "Memorials," 

 descriptive of our northland in spring, in summer, and in autumn : 



"And now, while the mists are yet in the valley and on the river, awakes the nup- 

 tial chorus of the birds. And what a concert it is! As if each little musician had 

 aroused to a fresh sense of his happiness, and was striving to outdo all others in 

 the expression of it. The whole air is vocal. The strains mingle in a confused med- 

 ley, yet in perfect concord. Not one throat that ever poured a note is silent now. 

 One after another takes up the strain, ever higher and higher, nearer and nearer, 

 until the very heaven resounds, and 'Earth rolls the raptuous hosanna round.' If 

 you would hear this sweet concert delay not until the sun is up, and not until the 

 summer. It is the birds' epithalamium. Its set time is the dawn in spring." 



"What a month of months is our Northern June! The trees lately so bare, 

 or showing only the delicate tints of spring, have now perfected their foliage, and 

 are fresh and lustrous as young brides adorned for their husbands. The ever- 

 greens are illuminating their sombre mourning suits with an embroidery of a new 

 and lighter growth, that, like half-tints in a widows weeds, betoken relief from the 

 thraldom of sorrow, while they add enhanced beauty. How richly green the soft 

 carpet that covers the ground! What land can compare with ours, at this season. 

 for diversity of leaf and tint, and depth of color? Where is the tropical landscape 

 that, with all its luxuriance, can compete with it, or that can compensate by its 

 tangle and variety for the absence of turf? Trees and grass make a paradise of any 

 Northern home, nor need we envy those sun-burned lands where that chief element 

 .of beauty — the greensward — is wanting." 



'•'Yet the Indian summer is no myth. It often breaks upon us from the very midst 

 of storm, frost and snow, true to the tradition, that there must first be a 'squaw 

 winter' before we can have an "Indian summer.' At once the icy blasts are locked 

 securely in their northern caves, the snow melts and the earth dries under a genial 

 sun.shine. The calm, still atmosphere is filled with a smoky haze, which hangs 

 like a veil over the landscape. Day after day succeeds of most delicious, dreamy 

 softness; not enervating like the heats of summer, but exhilarating to soul and 

 body. For the rains and the frost have purified the atmosphere, renderng it elastic 

 and bracing. The sun's rays have lost their power to oppress, and bring only en- 

 joyment. How softly his beams fall on all surrounding objects — the gold without 

 the glitter. What a delicious atmosphere; we can almost fly in it! 



' how soft the blue. 



That throws its mantle o'er the lengthening scene.' 



Neither Eastern climes nor rural England can produce anything to compare with 

 this balmy sunshine and this glorified landscape, shrouded in the hazy canopy of 

 Indian summer!" 



In addition to the popular book from which the above quotations have 

 been taken, Bela Hubbard, jointly with \V. A. Burt, wrote a small book 

 on the geography, topography and geology of the south shore of Lake 

 Superior, published in 1846. Among his minor writings are included 

 an essay on the "Early colonization of Detroit," published by the State 

 Pioneer Society; and a discussion of the "Clinuito of Detroit,"' printed 

 in the American ^Medical Observer. 



Soon after Bela Hubbard removed to Detroit, his father presented him 



