DEEK. 



189 



sed of a cart load of wood, and that it contained 

 two eaglets, which were not as yet featlicred — 

 that they were eaten, and niade very good food, 

 I think that Boccacio in his Decameron, serves 

 lip a falcon as a choice disli. 



The Americans have selected the eagle as the 

 symhol of national power. In the ancient my- 

 thology he was the bird of Jove, and in all na- 

 tions he is the sign of strength and majesty. His 

 eye can see to an immeasurable distance, and his 

 flight is as rapid as the voUied lightning. 



LETTER XLIY. 



Western 'Region, August, 1820. 

 -Uy Dear Sir, 



On my way to the west I passed a few days at 

 Albany, and among other public places I visited 

 the Museum of Natural History. Here I saw the 

 largest of the cervus genus called the moose. It 

 was mounted in the museum. Its height above the 

 shoulders 7J feet, and its weight 1000 lbs. in 

 horns had fallen piT before it was killed. Twen- 

 ty-five it is said were killed in the country north 

 of Whitestown last winter, at diiferent times. 

 This one belonged to a herd of five ; The great, 

 depth of the snow facilitated the success of th<; 



