SOUTH AMERICA. 
237 
who took that part which he thought would most fourth 
benefit his country. There is something magnificent--— 
in the idea of a man taking by choice the conquered 
side. The Roman gods themselves did otherwise. 
“ Victrix causa Diis placuit, sed victa Catoni.” 
“ In this did Cato with the Gods divide, 
They chose the conquering, he the conquer’d side.” 
The whole of the country from Utica to Buffalo Face of 
is pleasing; and the intervening of the inland lakes, country, 
large and deep and clear, adds considerably to the 
effect. The spacious size of the inns, their excellent 
provisions, and the attention which the traveller re¬ 
ceives 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 conclu¬ 
sion that there must be something in it uncommonly 
interesting 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, corn-fields, villages, and pastures are ever 
and anon bursting upon the traveller’s view as he 
journeys on through the remaining tracts of wood. 
I 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 noble sons of the 
forest beautify your landscapes beyond all descrip¬ 
tion ; when they are gone, a century will not replace 
their loss; they cannot, they must not fall; their 
