THE FAMILY MAGAZINE. VOLUME FOURTH. EMIGRATION. tion; the church, with its lowly spire, an emblem of that humility which befits the Christian-and the burial-ground, where the weeping-willow bends mournfully over the headstone which marks the parent's grave; nor do the children forget their playground, nor the white schoolhouse where the rudiments of education have been instilled into their minds. THE frontispiece of the present number represents a halt for the night of an emigrant with his familyone, perhaps, who has left his natal soil and the inheritance of his fathers, and seeks in the far west for that independence in his worldly circumstances which he has tried in vain to gain from the stony and barren patrimonial homestead: or perhaps one who has looked on his rapidly-increasing family, and, The road is at first comparatively smooth, and ambitious of doing something for his children while their journey pleasant; their way is chequered with he is in the prime of life, or anxious to see them divers little incidents, while the continual changes settled comfortably around him, that his old age may in the appearances of the country around them, and be cheered by their presence, has resolved to go to the anticipation of what is to come, prevent those the far west, the land which is represented as flow-feelings of despondency which might otherwise ing with milk and honey, the land which repays with an hundred fold the labour expended on it, and the riches of whose bosom far exceed those in the mines of Peru. Resolved to migrate, the emigrant collects together his little property, and provides himself with a wagon and with two or three horses, as his means permit ;—a rifle, a shot-gun, and an axe slung over his shoulder, form part of his equipments, and his trusty dog becomes the companion of his journey.In the wagon are placed his bedding, his provisions, and such cooking-utensils as are indispensably necessary. Every thing being ready, the wife and children take their seats, the father of the family mounts the box, and now they are on the move. As they pass through the village, which has been to them the scene of many happy hours, they take a last look at the spots which are hallowed by associa arise, on leaving a much-loved home. When the roads are bad, or hilly, the family quit the wagon, and plod their way on foot; and at night they may be seen assembled round the fire made by the roadside, partaking of their frugal supper. The horses are unharnessed, watered, and secured with their heads. to the trough; and the emigrants arrange themselves for the night, while their faithful dog keeps watch. Or if the close of the day finds them near a tavern or farm-house, a bargain is struck for the use of the fireplace and part of the kitchen, and the family pass the night on the floor, their feet to the embers and their heads pillowed on the saddles. Amid all the privations and vicissitudes in their journey, they are cheered up by the consciousness that each day lessens the distance between them and the land of promise, and that the fertile soil of the west will recompense them for all their trials. 3 At length our flitters, as they are called, reach the banks of the Ohio, whose placid bosom scems to invite their embarkation, while countless boats of every description meet their astonished gaze. We have resided many years at the west, and during this period have been with hundreds and hundreds who have seen the Ohio river for the first time, and we have never known an individual who has gazed upon its broad expanse of water with a feeling of disappointment or regret; on the contrary, like pilgrims to the Holy Land, they forget all their pains and privations, and view it as indicating that the object of their journey is nearly attained. The road through the woods now becomes intri cate, the trees being merely felled and drawn aside, so as to permit a wheeled-carriage to pass; and the emigrant is often obliged to be guided in his route only by the blaze of the surveyor on the trees, and at every few rods to cut away the branches which obstruct his passage. The stroke of his axe reverberates through the woods, but no answering sound meets the woodman's ear, to assure him of the presence of friend or foe. At night, in these solitudes, he hears and sees the wolves stealing through the gloom, and snuffing the scent of the intruders; and now and then the bloodshot eye of the calamount glares through the foliage. At length, the emigrant arrives at the landmarks which indicate to him the proximity of his own possessions. A location for the cabin is now selected, near a small stream of running water, and, if possible, on the south side of a slight elevation. No time is lost; the trees are immediately felled, and in a few days you can perceive a cleared space of ground, of perhaps a few rods in circumference; stakes, forked at the tops, are driven into the ground, on which are placed logs, and the chinks between these are stopped with clay, mixed with lime, if these can be obtained. An enclosure is thus thrown up hastily, to protect the in Our travellers, after resting themselves for a few days, again take up their line of march; for the Ohio river, which was formerly the termination of all pilgrimages, is now but the frontier of a new country, and but the starting-point for the far-distant west. The roads soon become more and more rough; the swamps and little forest-streams are rendered passable by logs placed side by side, and the bridges thus formed are termed corduroy, from their ridgy and striped appearance. The axe and the rifle of the emigrant are now brought daily and almost hourly into use with the former, he cuts down saplings or young trees to throw across the roads, which in many places are almost impassable; with the lat-mates from the weather. The trunks of the trees, ter, he kills squirrels, wild-turkeys, or such game as the forest affords him; for by this time his provisions are exhausted. If perchance a buck crosses his path, and is brought down by a lucky shot, it is carefully dressed, and hung up in the forks of the trees; fires are built, and the meat is cut into small strips, and smoked and dried for future subsistence. This is the mode of preserving the game of the forest, and these are the game-laws of the western pioneer. are rolled to the edge of the clearing, and surmounted The next season, a visible improvement has taken once so solitary, becomes the nucleus of a little setplace; several acres have been added to the clear-tlement; other sections and quarter-sections of land ing; the woodman's residence begins to assume the are entered at the land-office by new-comers; new dignified appearance of a farm; the brush-fence is portions of ground are cleared, cabins are erected; replaced by a worm-fence, or one which runs zigzag, and in a short time our youthful city can turn out a as is seen in the cut; the temporary shanty is trans-force of eight or ten efficient hands, for a raisingformed into a comfortable log-cabin; and although bee, a logging-bee, &c., &c. A sawmill is soon in the chimney is built of mud or clay, instead of bricks and mortar, and occupies one end of the house, it only shows that the inward man is duly attended to; and the savoury fumes of venison, of the prairie-hen, and of other good things, prove that the comforts of this life are not forgotten, and that due respect is paid to that important organ in the human economy, the stomach. operation on one of the neighbouring streams, the log-huts receive a poplar weather-boarding, and, as the little settlement increases, a schoolhouse and church appear; a mail is established, and, before many years elapse, a fine road is made to the nearest town; a stage-coach, which runs once or twice a week, connects the frontier with the populous country to the east of it; and the traveller has thus an opportunity In a few years, or even months, the retired cabin, of viewing another evidence of American enterprise. BIOGRAPHY. SIR WALTER RALEIGH-Born, 1552-Beheaded, 1618. A NAME dear to Americans, for to him "is due the honour of projecting and of keeping up, by his persevering efforts and expensive expeditions, the idea of permanent British settlements in America. His name is thus associated with the origin of the independent states of North America, and must be reverenced by all who, from liberal curiosity or pious affection, study the early history of their country." Walter Raleigh was born at Hayes, on the coast of Devonshire: when young, he was sent to Oriel college, Oxford, where he exhibited a restless ambition, which prompted him to seek distinction rather in the stirring scenes of the world, than the cloistered solitude of a college; and this natural inclination to adventure was fostered by the study of books relating to the conquests of the Spaniards in the new world, a species of reading which was the delight of his early years, and undoubtedly gave a colour to the whole tenour of his life. though unsuccessful, in his first voyage, the instructions of Gilbert could not fail to be of service to Raleigh, who at this time was not much above twentyfive, while the admiral must have been in the maturity of his years and abilities. For some time after this, the life of Raleigh was that of a soldier: until Gilbert's patent being nearly expired, his attention was again called to his scheme for prosecuting discoveries in the new world. A second squadron was now fitted out, and the largest ship in it, which bore Raleigh's own name, was built under his own eye, and equipped at his expense. This expedition was commanded by Gilbert, and, although starting under favourable auspices, was unfortunate in its commencement, and ultimately fatal to its leader. In a short time, the Raleigh returned into the harbour, a contagious distemper having broken out on board. Gilbert pursued his voyage; and having reached the Baccalaos, originally discovered by John Cabot, and since called Newfoundland, took possession of it, and the adjoining coast in the name of the reigning English queen, Elizabeth. After a partial survey of the island, and an interview with the natives, whose His stay at Oxford therefore was short; and in disposition was pacifick and gentle. they steered 1559 he seized the opportunity of the civil wars in south. But discontent, mutiny, and sickness broke France, between the Huguenots and Catholicks, to out in the fleet. The Swallow was sent home with visit that kingdom and commence his military edu- the sick, and the Delight was soon after completely cation; but although engaged in war, he found lei- wrecked. The admiral now hoisted his flag in the sure to study the histories of the discoveries of Squirrel, of ten tuns burden. The weather soon Columbus, the conquests of Cortes, and the sanguin-after became dark and lowering, and on the 9th of ary triumphs of Pizarro, which books were his especial favourites. Nor were there wanting, in the army in which he served, many others whose society encouraged his early devotion to such pursuits. It is not surprising, therefore, that the ardent mind of Raleigh should have eagerly embraced an opportunity of embarking in an adventure of this nature, which offered itself while he was in Holland. His stepbrother, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, had published, in 1576, a treatise concerning a northwest passage to the East Indies, which is full of practical sense. The work appears to have made no inconsiderable impression upon the government; and Sir Humphrey, having obtained a patent from the queen to colonize such parts of North America as were not possessed by any of her allies, prevailed with Raleigh to abandon his military pursuits, and try his fortune in the voyage. September, at midnight, this little vessel was swallowed up with all on board, and not a plank of her was ever seen again. The melancholy fate of his brother did not deter Raleigh from the prosecution of his schemes. By the study of the Spanish voyages, and his conversations with some skilful mariners of that nation, whom he met in Holland and Flanders, he had learned that the Spanish ships always went into the Gulf of Mexico by St. Domingo and Hispaniola, and directed their homeward course by the Havana and the Gulf of Florida, where they found a continued coast on the west side, tending away north, which, however, they soon lost sight of by standing to the east, to make the coast of Spain. Upon these grounds, and for reasons deduced from analogy and a knowledge of the sphere, he concluded there must be a vast extent of land north of the Gulf of Florida, of which he resolved to attempt the discovery. The project, however, failed. Many who had eagerly embarked in it became discontented; all Probably, also, during his residence in France he desired an equal share of power; discord bred cold- might have become acquainted with the particulars ness and desertion; and Sir Humphrey and Raleigh of the voyage of Verazzano, or have seen the charts at last found themselves obliged to put to sea with a constructed by that navigator, who had explored the few friends who disdained to leave them under such same coast nearly as far south as the latitude of Viradverse circumstances. "When the shipping was ginia. Having fully weighed this project, he laid in a manner prepared," says Edmond Haies, who a memoir before the queen and council, who approv was a principal actor in the enterprise," and men ed of the undertaking; and in the beginning of 1584 ready upon the coast to go abroad, some brake con- her majesty granted, by her letters-patent, all such sort, and followed courses degenerating from the countries as he should discover in property to himvoyage before pretended; others failed of their prom- self and his heirs, reserving to the crown the fifth ises contracted, and the greater number were dis- part of the gold or silver ore which might be found. persed, leaving the general with a few of his assured The patent contained ample authority for the defence friends, with whom he adventured to sea, where, of the new countries, the transport of settlers, and having tasted of no less misfortune, he was shortly the exportation of provisions and commodities for driven to retire home with the loss of a tall ship." their use. On its homeward passage, the small squadron of Sir W. selected for the command of his projected Gilbert was dispersed and disabled by a Spanish voyage two experienced officers-Captain Philip fleet, and many of the company were slain. Al-Amadas and Arthur Barlow-to whom he gave minute written instructions, and who sailed with two ships, well manned and provisioned, on the 27th of April 1584. On the 10th of May they arrived at the Canaries; after which, keeping a southwesterly course, they made the West Indies; and, departing thence on the 10th of July, found themselves in shoal-water, discerning their approach to the lands by the delicious fragrance with which the air was loaded "as if," to use the words of their letter to Raleigh, "we had been in the midst of some delicate garden, abounding with all kinds of odoriferous flowers." "Next day they received a visit from some canoes, in which were forty or fifty men, among whom was Granganimeo, the king's brother. Having first rowed within a short distance, they landed on the beach; and the chief, attended by his suite, who were handsome and athletick persons, fearlessly approached opposite the ship. A long mat was spread for him, on which he sat down; and four men of his followers, apparently men of rank, squatted themselves on the corner. Signs were made for the English to come forward; and on doing so, Granganimeo desired them to sit down beside him, showing "Arrived upon the coast, and sailing along upwards every token of joy and welcome, first striking his of one hundred and twenty miles, they at length own head and breast, and afterward those of the found a haven, and disembarked. Their first step strangers, as if to express that they were all brethren. was to take possession of the country in the name Presents were exchanged; and such was the reverof the queen; after which they ascended a neigh- ence with which these people treated their prince, bouring eminence, and discovered to their surprise that while he made a long harangue, they remained that they had not landed on the continent, but on the perfectly still, standing at a distance; even the four island of Okakoke, which they found running paral-chiefs only venturing to communicate their feelings lel to nearly the whole coast of North Carolina. to each other in a low whisper. The gifts were The valleys were finely wooded with cedars, around whose trunks wild vines hung in rich festoons; and the grape seemed so native to the soil, that the clusters covered the ground, and dipt into the sea. For two days no inhabitants were seen; but on the third a canoe with three men approached. One of them was easily prevailed on to come aboard, when the present of a shirt and some trinkets gained his confidence. On returning to his boat he began to fish, and having loaded it heavily, paddled back to the English, and, dividing his cargo into two parts, intimated that one was for the ship, and the other for the pinnace. received with delight; but on some trinkets being offered to the chiefs, Granganimeo quietly rose up, and, taking them away, put them into his own basket, intimating by signs that every thing ought to be given to him, these men being no more than his servants-a proceeding to which they submitted without a murmur. A trade was soon opened, in which the strangers made good profit, by exchanging beads and other trifles for rich furs and skins. On exhibiting their wares, Granganimeo's eye fixed with delight upon a pewter dish, for which he conceived the strongest desire. It became his at the price of twenty skins; and, having pierced a hole in the rim, |