32 THE OHIO. 



majestic river, forcing commerce to take root and to prosper at every 

 spot ; when I see the surplus population of Europe coming to assist 

 in the destruction of the forest, and transplanting civilization into its 

 darkest recesses; — when I remember that these extraordinary changes 

 have all taken place in the short period of twenty years, I pause, wonder, 

 and, although I know all to be fact, can scarcely believe its reality. 



Whether these changes are for the better or for the worse, I shall not 

 pretend to say ; . but in whatever way my conclusions may incline, I feel 

 with regret that there are on record no satisfactory accounts of the state 

 of that portion of the country, from the time when our people first set- 

 tled in it. This has not been because no one in America is able to ac- 

 complish such an undertaking. Our Irvings and our Coopers have 

 proved themselves fully competent for the task. It has more probably 

 been because the changes have succeeded each other with such rapidity, 

 as almost to rival the movements of their pen. However, it is not too 

 late yet ; and I sincerely hope that either or both of them will ere long 

 furnish the generations to come with those delightful descriptions wliich 

 they are so well qualified to give, of the original state of a country that 

 has been so rapidly forced to change her form and attire under the influ- 

 ence of increasing population. Yes ; I hope to read, ere I close my 

 earthly career, accounts from those delightful writers of the progress of 

 civilization in our western country. They will speak of the Clarks, 

 the Croghans, the Boons, and many other men of great and daring 

 enterprise. They wjU analyze, as it were, into each component part, the 

 country as it once existed, and will render the picture, as it ought to be, 

 immortal. 



