and balanced his mind into satisfaction. A
wilderness indeed it was that waved around him; and the manners of the
settlers partook as much of its wildness, verdure, freedom, and wealth,
as if they had sprung like the oaks and chestnuts, from the soil; and
he found it a region opening upon him, at every step, some new delight
or interest.

That particular section was called the Lake Country, from the
occurrence of seven lakes, that shine out from their green borders like
mirrors reflecting the face of heaven. That beautiful sisterhood of
little inland seas lie along in lines nearly parallel, with ten and a
dozen miles of lovely woodland waving between them; and they vary in
length from ten to forty miles; and discharge their waters, through the
Oswego River, into Lake Ontario. Their names are, Otisco, Skaneateles,
Owasco, Cayuga, Seneca, Wawumkee, and Canandaigua, each name of them
sounding the rich, wild music of the Indian tongue.

On the banks of the Cayuga Fabens found the settlement, and language
cannot describe the charms of its fine scenery. Few were the
clearings, and small, which as yet had been made, and tall and grand
were the beeches and maples, the oaks and chestnuts, that tossed their
arms on high. Fabens gave way to the excitement cast upon his
sensitive nature, and allowed himself little rest for a fortnight.
Each day was too brief to accomplish all he purposed. He took long
rambles in the woods, sensing the sanctity of their venerable shade,
enjoying the views they spread to his gaze, and tasting the fragrance
of hemlock, birch, and pine, that floated to him in mingled odors. All
he had heard was more than true. The trees were noble beyond
description. There were narrow openings and plains, in places, where
the sumac lifted its blood-red plumes, and bee-balm waved its crimson
blossoms; while generally the woods were dense and magnificent.

Through opening and thicket the wild deer bounded like forms of beauty
in a dream; squirrels were chattering, robins and thrushes were singing
in gladness and pride; and wild fowl were sporting in water and air.
he went out to the fallows, and they were covered with Indian corn, or
gilded with yellow stubble; with here and there a garden studded with
cool and lusty melons, almost bursting with delicious sweets. He
descended the low valleys, and there, as on the hills, sprang
thickly-clustering bushes of large and melting blackberries, inviting
him to tast