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NIAGARA. 



' After wandering on some of our great lakes for many months, I 

 bent my course towards the celebrated Falls of Niagara, being desirous 

 of taking a sketch of them. This was not my first visit to them, and I 

 hoped it should not be the last. 



Artists (I know not if I can be called one) too often imagine that 

 what they produce must be excellent, and with that foolish idea go on 

 spoiUng much paper and canvas, when their time might have been better 

 employed in a different manner. But digressions aside, — I directed my 

 steps towards the Falls of Niagara, with the view of representing them 

 on paper, for the amusement of my family. 



Returning as I then was from a tedious journey, and possessing little 

 more than some drawings of rare birds and plants, I reached the tavern 

 at Niagara Falls in such plight, as might have deterred many an indivi- 

 dual from obtruding himself upon a circle of well-clad and perhaps well- 

 bred society. Months had passed since the last of my linen had been 

 taken from my body, and used to clean that useful companion, my gun. 

 I was in fact covered just like one of the poorer class of Indians, and 

 yras rendered even more disagreeable to the eye of civilized man, by not 

 having, like them, plucked my beard, or trimmed my hair in any way. 

 Had HoGAiiTH been living, and there when I arrived, he could not have 

 found a fitter subject for a Robinson Crusoe. My beard covered my 

 neck in front, my hair fell much lower at my back, the leather dress 

 which I wore had for months stood in need of repair, a large knife hung 

 at my side, a rusty tin-box containing my drawings and colours, and, 

 wrapped up in a worn-out blanket that had served me for a bed, was 

 buckled to my shoulders. To every one I must have seemed immersed 

 in the depths of poverty, perhaps of despair. Nevertheless, as I cared 

 little about my appearance during those happy rambles, I pushed into 

 the sitting-room, unstrapped my little burden, and asked how soon break- 

 fast would be ready. 



In America, no person is ever refused entrance to the inns, at least 

 far from cities. We know too well how many poor creatures are forced 

 to make their way from other countries in search of employment or to 

 seek uncultivated land, and we are ever ready to let them have what 

 they may call for. No one knew who I was, and the landlord looking at 



