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THE BURNING OF THE FORESTS. 



With what pleasure have I seated myself by the blazing fire of some 

 lonely cabin, when, faint with fatigue, and chilled with the piercing blast, 

 had forced my way to it through the drifted snows that covered the 

 face of the country as with a mantle ! The affectionate mother is hushing 

 her dear babe to repose, while a group of sturdy children surround their 

 father, who has just returned from the chase, and deposited on the rough 

 flooring of his hut the varied game which he has procured. The great 

 back log, that with some difficulty has been rolled into the ample chim- 

 ney, urged, as it were., by lighted pieces of pine, sends forth a blaze of 

 light over the happy family. The dogs of the hunter are already lick- 

 ing away the trickling waters of the thawing icicles that sparkle over 

 their shaggy coats, and the comfort-loving cat is busied in passing her 

 furry paws over each ear, or with her rough tongue smoothing her glossy 

 coat. 



How dehghtful to me has it been, when kindly received and hospi- 

 tably treated under such a roof, by persons whose means were as scanty 

 as their generosity was great, I have entered into conversation with them 

 respecting subjects of interest to me, and received gratifying information. 

 When the humble but plentiful repast was ended, the mother would take 

 from the shelf the Book of books, and mildly request the attention of her 

 family while the father read aloud a chapter. Then to Heaven would as- 

 cend their humble prayers, and a good-night would be bidden to all 

 friends far and near. How comfortably have I laid my wearied frame on 

 the buffalo hide, and covered me with the furry skin of some huge bear ! 

 How pleasing have been my dreams of home and happiness, as I there 

 lay secure from danger, and sheltered from the inclemency of the weather. 



I recollect that once while in the State of Maine, I passed such a night 

 as I have described. Next morning the face of nature was obscured by 

 the heavy rains that fell in torrents, and my generous host begged me to 

 remain in such pressing terms, that I was well content to accept his offer. 

 Breakfast over, the business of the day commenced : the spinning wheels 

 went round, and the boys employed themselves, one in searching for 

 knowledge, another in attempting to solve some ticklish arithmetical prob- 

 lem. In a corner lay the dogs dreaming of plunder, while close to the 



