odolph Bernard. His family was noble
and rich: they and their fortunes were sacrificed in the convulsions of
the French revolution, and Bernard alone escaped and reached America,
with nothing but his life. It appears from my blacksmith's story, that
young Bernard had a good deal of spirit and enterprise, and more
education than most of the young nobles of that time. I wish you to
observe, my children, that knowledge is a treasure not impaired by a
change of circumstances, but an immutable good in every extreme of
fortune. Bernard remained in New-York for a year or two, and subsisted
by teaching French to some Americans, and mathematics to his own
countrymen. He was then employed by a company of French gentlemen,
to explore the western part of this State, then a wilderness, and
to furnish them such information as should enable them to make an
advantageous purchase of the government. This was not quite thirty years
ago: and then the cultivated country and beautiful villages through
which we have passed, were for the most part a trackless wilderness.

"At a wigwam in Oneida, where he had been compelled to ask for such
hospitality as it afforded, he was seized with the fever of the country
that usually attacked strangers. For weeks and months he was nursed by
an indian girl, famed among her people for her skill in such remedies as
their native wilds supply. You know, that in the history of the early
periods of all ages, we find the healing art assigned to women. You will
remember, Ned, in your favorite old ballads, many a kill or cure,
performed by cruel or tender leeches.

"Whether it was the indian maid's skill in medicine, that prevailed over
the disease at last, or her devoted kindness, it might be difficult to
determine; probably, Bernard thought the latter; for though she was,
as my narrator's tradition says, 'an uncouth maiden to look upon,' he
declared his love to her, and asked her hand of her father. The father
consented, but not till after some delay, nor till he had ascertained
that Bernard's rank entitled him to wed the daughter of a distinguished
chief. She was an only child too, and she was heir to enough land within
this Oneida reservation, to make a principality.

"The Frenchman understood how to manage it. His ties to his own country
were broken. All his affections and interests were concentrated here. He
has been a good husband and father--so indulgent as to permit his wife
on ordinary occasions, to wea