484 



UNITED STATES. 



the present sumniit forms a bason three or four feet 

 in depth. We judged that its base covered more 

 than half an acre. It is overgrown with large trees 

 on all sides, NeA* the top is a v/hite oak of three feet 

 diameter; one still larger grows on the eastern side, 

 about half way down. The mound sounds hollow. 

 Undoubtedly its contents will be numerous, curious, 

 and calculated to develope, in a farther degree, the 

 history, of the antiquities which abound in this part of 

 our country. 



As there are no excavations near the mound, and 

 no hills or banks of earth, we infer that it must have 

 been principally formed of sods skimmed from the 

 surface, or of earth brought from a great distance. 

 The labour of collecting such a prodigious quantity 

 must have been inconceivably great. And when we 

 consider the multitude of workmen, the length of 

 time, and the expense requisite to form such a mound ; 

 when we reflect upon the spirit of ambition, which 

 suggested the idea of this monument of great but 

 simple magnificence, to the memory of some re- 

 nowned prince or warrior, we cannot but regret that 

 the name and the glory it was designed to perpetuate 

 are gone. ...lost in the darkness of the grave. 



Mr. Harris illustrates his description by well exe- 

 cuted plates, which cannot fail to interest the reader* 

 Indeed his whole work may be considered as a sub- 

 stantial addition to our stock of American topography, 

 and American antiquities. 



It ought to be mentioned, that the Rev. Dr. Ma- 

 dison objects to the idea of these earthy elevations 

 having been fortifications. His arguments in support 



