THE BIG BEAR OF ARKANSAS. 



A STEAMBOAT on the Mississippi, frequently, in making 

 her regular trips, carries between places varying from 

 one to two thousand miles apart ; and, as these boats 

 advertise to land passengers and freight at "all inter- 

 mediate landings," the heterogeneous character of the 

 passengers of one of these up-country boats can scarcely 

 be imagined by one who has never seen it with his own 

 eyes. 



Starting from New Orleans in one of these boats, 

 yon will find yourself associated with men from every 

 State in the Union, and from every portion of the globe; 

 and a man of observation need not lack for amusement 

 or instruction in such a crowd, if he will take the trouble 

 to read the great book of character so favorably opened 

 before him. 



Here may be seen, jostling together, the wealthy 



