TO FREDERICKSBURG. 
55 
evidence of the skill of the occupant. For want of 
closets and drawers, these antlers served to hang his 
clothes on. 
On entering this primitive dwelling, we found its 
owner, Mr. Berne, busily engaged upon his meteoro- 
logical table. He received us with kindness and 
suavity of manner ; and we found him, as well as several 
others of his countrymen who had entered, communi- 
cative and intelligent. They had been here two years, 
and formed part of a large colony of Germans, who had 
settled in the vicinity. By invitation, we called at an 
adjoining house, equally primitive with that before 
described. On the rude walls hung some beautiful 
pictures, while other articles of taste, and a cabinet of 
minerals, had their appropriate places. Here, too, was 
a fine harpsichord, from which we were treated to 
selections from the most popular composers, played 
with an expression and feeling which indicated a 
master’s hand. In the yard were some fine merino 
sheep ; and while we were listening to the conversation 
of our friends, a tame peccari thrust his long nose 
against me to receive my caresses, much as a faithful 
dog would. But the propensities of the swinish family, 
to which the peccari is closely allied, were so strongly 
exhibited in this specimen, that I could only gratify 
his affection for me by rubbing his back with a stick, 
which seemed to afford him all the pleasure he desired. 
It is pleasant to meet such emigrants as these Germans, 
who bring with them the tastes of their father-land, and 
the means of further cultivating them. They bring 
cheerfulness and contentment with them, and impart to 
the pioneer population by which they are surrounded 
