EPISODES 247 



peculiarly pleasant effect on the distant objects ; and as I 

 watched the motions of the White-headed Eagle while 

 pursuing the Fishing Hawk, I thought of the wonderful 

 ways of that Power to whom I too owe my existence. 



Before reaching the land I had observed that several 

 saw-mills were placed on ditches or narrow canals, along 

 which the water rushed from the inner swamps towards 

 the river, and by which the timber is conveyed to the 

 shore; and, on inquiring afterwards, I found that one of 

 those temporary establishments had produced a net profit 

 of upwards of six thousand dollars in a single season. 



There is much romantic scenery about Natchez. The 

 Lower Town forms a most remarkable contrast with the 

 Upper; for in the former the houses were not regularly 

 built, being generally dwellings formed of the abandoned 

 flatboats, placed in rows, as if with the view of forming a 

 long street. The inhabitants formed a medley which it is 

 beyond my power to describe ; hundreds of laden carts 

 and other vehicles jogged along the declivity between the 

 two towns ; but when, by a very rude causeway, I gained 

 the summit, I was relieved by the sight of an avenue of 

 those beautiful trees called here the Pride of China. In 

 the Upper Town I found the streets all laid off at right 

 angles to each other, and tolerably well lined with build- 

 ings constructed with painted bricks or boards. 



The agricultural richness of the surrounding country 

 was shown by the heaps of cotton bales and other produce 

 that encumbered the streets. The churches, however, did 

 not please me; but as if to make up for this, I found my- 

 self unexpectedly accosted by my relative, Mr. Berthoud, 

 who presented me with letters from my wife and sons. 

 These circumstances put me in high spirits, and we pro- 

 ceeded towards the best hotel in the place, that of Mr. 

 Gamier. The house, which was built on the Spanish plan, 

 and of great size, was surrounded by large verandas over- 

 looking a fine garden, and stood at a considerable distance 



