eculiar interest to this journey, affording
that pleasant surprise of new and unexpected scenery, which, more than
any other concomitant of travel, wards off the sense of fatigue. These
streams have worn deep channels through the hills, and constantly seem
to solicit the road into narrow passes and romantic dells, where fearful
crags are seen toppling over the head of the traveller, and sparkling
waters tinkle at his feet; and where the richest and rarest trees of the
forest seem to have chosen their several stations, on mossy bank or
cloven rock, in obedience to some master mind intent upon the most
tasteful and striking combination of these natural elements.

A part of the country embraced in this description, has obtained the
local designation of the South Garden, perhaps from its succession of
fertile fields and fragrant meadows, which are shut in by the walls of
mountain on either hand; whilst a still more remote but adjacent
district of more rugged features, bears the appellation of the Cove, the
name being suggested by the narrow and encompassing character of the
sharp and precipitous hills that hem in and over-shadow a rough and
brattling mountain torrent, which is marked on the map as the Cove
creek.

At the period to which my story refers, the population of this central
district of Virginia, exhibited but few of the characteristics which are
found to distinguish the present race of inhabitants. A rich soil, a
pure atmosphere, and great abundance of wood and water, to say nothing
of the sylvan beauties of the mountain, possessed a great attraction for
the wealthy proprietors of the low country; and the land was, therefore,
generally parcelled out in large estates held by opulent owners, whose
husbandry did not fail, at least, to accumulate in profusion the
comforts of life, and afford full scope to that prodigal hospitality,
which, at that period even more than at present, was the boast of the
state. The laws of primogeniture exercised their due influence on the
national habits; and the odious division of property amongst undeserving
younger brothers, whom our modern philosophy would fain persuade us have
as much merit, and as little capacity to thrive in the world as their
elders, had not yet formed part of the household thoughts of these
many-acred squires. From Charlottesville, therefore, both north and
south, from the Potomac to the James river, there extended a chain of
posts, occupied by lordly and open-