SOUTH AMERICA. 251 

 it uncommonly interesting to cause so many travellers to Fourth 



Journey, 



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, corn- 

 fields, villages, and pastures are ever and anon bursting 

 upon the traveller's view as he journies on through the 

 remaining tracts of wood. 1 wish I could say a word or 

 two for the fine timber which is yet standing. Spare it, 

 gentle inhabitants, for your country's sake ; these uoIdIc 

 sons of the forest beautify your landscapes beyond all 

 description ; when they are gone, a century will not 

 replace their loss ; they cannot, they must not fall ; their 

 vernal bloom, their summer richness, and autumnal tints 

 please and refresh the eye of man ; and even when the 

 days of joy and warmth are fled, the wintry blast soothes 

 the listening ear with a sublime and pleasing melancholy 

 as it howls through their naked branches. 



" Around me trees unnuuiber'd rise, 

 Beautiful in various dyes. 

 The gloomy pine, the poplar blue, 

 The yellow beech, the sable j'ew ; 

 The slender fir, that taper grows. 

 The sturdy oak, with broad-spread boughs." 



A few miles before you reach Buftalo the road is low 

 and bad, and, in stepping out of the stage, I sprained 

 my foot very severely ; it sw elled to a great size, and 



2 K 2 



