came independent states; but the curse that followed the infamous
appropriation of the country, seems to cling to the descendants of the
first criminals, and neither government nor people prospers; and it is
evident that all these independent states must in time be absorbed by a
great republic, that has sprung up by peaceable means, as it were at
their side, whilst they were content to be colonies."

"To what republic do you allude?"

"You may remember that I told you that the entire continent was divided
into south and north."

"Exactly."

"The history of the southern portion I have rapidly sketched for you,
that of the northern you will find of a totally different character."

"Pray let me hear it."

"When North America was first discovered, it was found to be inhabited
by a race of savages, divided into several tribes. They had no
manufactures; they had no knowledge of art or science; they lived in the
impenetrable woods in huts, having no pretension to architecture; they
went almost entirely naked, were extremely warlike, and fond of hunting,
and were known to devour the enemies they killed in battle.

"To this barbarous race came a few adventurous men across the stormy
Atlantic, from the distant island of England--"

"Ah, England!" I exclaimed, "that is the country of my parents--that is
the home of my grandfather; let me hear anything you have to say about
England."

Mrs Reichardt smiled at my animation, but proceeded without making any
comment upon what I had said.

"England possessed at this period many adventurous spirits, who were
ready to dare every danger to obtain for their country a share in the
honours which other lands had assumed through the enterprise of their
navigators. By such men different portions of the northern continent of
America were discovered; the fame of these new lands, their wonderful
productiveness and admirable climate, soon spread amongst their
countrymen, and from time to time various ships left the English ports
with small bands of adventurers, who made what were termed settlements
in the country of these savages--not by mercilessly massacring them as
the Spaniards had done in the south, and then plundering them of all
they possessed, but by purchasing certain districts or pieces of land
from the original occupants, which they peacefully cultivated; as their
numbers increased, they multiplied their habitations, and obtained by
barter of the savages fresh accessions of