IO 



guarding their little fields close by where the ranked grain 

 standing awaits the sickle, turning from green to gold and so 

 unhurried resting. The shining cattle couched outside in 

 ruminant content or cropping lazily the succulent feast spread 

 wide before them ; the horses, wary of approach, just seen in 

 compact bands upon the verge ; the patriarchal windmills — at 

 wide spaces — signalling to each other their peaceful task ; the 

 little groups of horsemen coming adown the winding road, or 

 stopping to greet some good wife and her gossip — going 

 abroad in a high railed cart in quest of trade, or friendly call. 

 And as the day wanes, the sleek cow, with considered careful 

 walk and placid mien, wend their way homeward, bearing their 

 heavy udders to the house-mother, who, pail in hand awaiting 

 their approach, pauses for a moment to mark the feathered 

 boaster at her feet, as he makes his parting vaunt of a day 

 well spent and summons " Partlet " to her vesper perch hard 

 by. 



O'er all the scene there rests a brooding peace, bespeak- 

 ing tranquil lives, repose trimmed with the hush of night, and 

 effort healthful and cool as the freshening airs of morn. 



Longfellow — moving all hearts to pity — has painted in 

 " Evangeline " the enforced dispersion of the French in 

 " Acadia." Who shall tell the homesick pain, the vain regrets, 

 the looking back of those who peopled our "Acadia?" No 

 voice bids them away ; they melt before the fervor of the time ; 

 hasten lest they be 'whelmed by the great wave of life rolling 

 towards them. Vain retreat, the waters are out and may not 

 be stayed. It is fate ! it is right, but the travail is sore, the 

 face of the mother is wet with tears. 



The outline sketch proposed is at an end, we have striven 

 to be faithful to the true lines. There is no obligation to per- 

 petuate unworthy " minutiae." Joy is immortal ! sorrow dies ! 

 the petty features are absorbed in the broad ones ; those capable 

 only of conveying truth. 



The Red River settlement in the days adverted to is an 

 idyl simple and pure : a nomadic pastoral, inwrought with 



