216 



WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA. 



high, grounds behind Utica, I could not look down 

 upon the city without thinking of Cato and his mis- 

 fortunes. Had the town been called Crofton, or Warm- 

 field, or Dewsbury, there would have been nothing 

 remarkable in it ; but Utica at once revived the scenes 

 at school long past and half forgotten, and carried me 

 with full speed back again to Italy, and from thence to 

 Africa. I crossed the Rubicon with Csesar ; fought at 

 Pharsalia ; saw poor Pompey into Larissa, and tried to 

 wrest the fatal sword from Cato's hand in Utica. When 

 I perceived he was no more, I mourned over the noble- 

 minded man who took that part which he thought 

 would most benefit his country. There is something 

 magnificent in the idea of a man taking by choice 

 the conquered side. The Eoman gods themselves did 

 otherwise. 



" Victrix causa Diis placuit, sed victa Catoni." 



'* In this did Cato with the Gods divide, 

 TJiey chose the conquering, lie the conquer'd side." 



The whole of the country from Utica to Buffalo is 

 Face of the pl^asing ; and the intervening of the inland 

 country. lakcs, large and deep and clear, adds consi- 

 derably to the effect. The spacious size of the inns, 

 their excellent provisions, and the attention which the 

 traveller receives in going from Albany to Buffalo, must 

 at once convince him that this country is very much 

 visited by strangers ; and he will draw the conclusion 

 that there must be something in it uncommonly in- 

 teresting to cause so many travellers to pass to and fro. 



Nature is losing fast her ancient garb, and putting 

 on a new dress in these extensive regions. Most of 

 the stately timber has been carried away ; thousands of 

 trees are lying prostrate on the ground ; while meadows, 



