the list. These are the second-hand
retailers of the marvels of the war; and it is observed that, like wine
which has descended to the heir, the events have lost none of their
flavor or value by the transmission. This is all so much clear gain to
our fraternity; and it is obvious, therefore, that we must thrive.

My reader will perceive that I have been scrupulous to preserve the
utmost historical accuracy in my narrative: and I hope, when he has
finished the perusal, that he may find reason to award me the
commendation of having afforded him some pleasure, by the sketch I have
attempted of the condition of things in the south during the very
interesting period of the "Tory Ascendency."

THE AUTHOR.
_May 1, 1835._

HORSE SHOE ROBINSON.

CHAPTER I.

A TOPOGRAPHICAL DISCOURSE.

The belt of mountains which traverses the state of Virginia diagonally,
from north-east to south-west, it will be seen by an inspection of the
map, is composed of a series of parallel ranges, presenting a
conformation somewhat similar to that which may be observed in miniature
on the sea-beach, amongst the minute lines of sand hillocks left by the
retreating tide. This belt may be said to commence with the Blue Ridge,
or more accurately speaking, with that inferior chain of highlands that
runs parallel to this mountain almost immediately along its eastern
base. From this region westward the highlands increase in elevation, the
valleys become narrower, steeper and cooler, and the landscape
progressively assumes the wilder features which belong to what is
distinctly meant by "the mountain country."

The loftiest heights in this series are found in the Alleghany, nearly
one hundred and fifty miles westward from the first thread of the belt;
and as the principal rivers which flow towards the Chesapeake find their
sources in this overtopping line of mountain, it may be imagined that
many scenes of surpassing beauty exist in those abrupt solitudes where
the rivers have had to contend with the sturdy hills that nature had
thrown across their passage to the sea.

The multiplication of the facilities of travel which the spirit of
improvement has, of late years, afforded to this region; the
healthfulness, or,--to use a term more germain to its excellence,--the
voluptuousness of the climate, and the extraordinary abundance of waters
of the rarest virtue, both for bathing and drinking, have all
contributed, very recently, to render