the spirit of resistance was intensified; the people prepared for war, and the clash of arms was heard at Lexington, sixteen months afterwards. While the British held possession of Boston, in the winter of 1775 and 1776, Faneuil Hall was used as a play-house by the British officers, who got up amateur performances. Among the plays was a farce, called "Boston Bombarded," that ridiculed the incidents of the siege of the town then going on. In it was a figure designed to represent Washington, who entered with uncouth gait, wearing a large wig, a long rusty sword, and attended by a country servant with a rusty gun. While the farce was in progress, on the evening of the 8th of January, 1776, a Sergeant entered suddenly, and exclaimed, "The Yankees are attacking our works on Bunker Hill! The audience thought this was a part of the play, and laughed immoderately at the absurd idea; but they were soon undeceived by the voice of the burly General Howe, shouting, "Officers, to your alarm-posts!" The Yankees" had, indeed, made a raid toward Bunker Hill, with considerable effect. Faneuil Hall was the scene of various notable receptions and public meetings during and after the war for independence. A splendid entertainment was given in it to the Count d'Estaing in 1778, when he went into Boston harbor to have his fleet repaired. When, in 1784, Lafayette, on the invitation of Washington, revisited the United States, and went to several of the leading cities, the merchants of Boston entertained him at a public dinner in Faneuil Hall. At every toast thirteen cannon were fired. On that occasion a portrait of Washington, which had been concealed, was unveiled, when the Marquis sprang to his feet and clapped his hands with delight. Forty years afterwards, when Lafayette was the guest of the Republic, he was entertained at a public dinner in Boston, when he, full of the spirit of the Revolution, gave as a toast: "The City of Boston-the Cradle of Liberty: may Faneuil Hall ever stand as a monument to teach the world that resistance to oppression is a duty, and will, under true republican institutions, become a blessing." In 1805-06 the building that contained Faneuil Hall was enlarged to twice its original width, and made one story higher. The Hall is about eighty feet square, and contains some fine paintings. In it Wendell Phillips made his first anti-slavery speech in 1837; and there, in 1842, Alexander Baring (Lord Ashburton), who negotiated a treaty with Daniel Webster concerning the coast fisheries, etc., was welcomed to Boston by its Mayor. When the Earl of Elgin, then Governor-General of Canada, visited Boston on the occasion of the jubilee upon the opening of the Grand Trunk Railway, accompanied by numerous attendants, he was honored with a ball in Faneuil Hall. When the war with Mexico broke out, it was regarded by many thinking men as a scheme for the benefit of the slaveholders, and at meetings in Faneuil Hall it was denounced by Theodore Parker, Wendell Phillips and William Lloyd Garrison. The present building is not all Faneuil Hall as it existed in the Revolution, yet nearly all of the old edifice is there; and the wish expressed in Lafayette's toast ought to be the sentiment of every true American. REMARKS.-We give on this page a small engraving of grand old Faneuil Hall, affording a different view from the large one on the first page of this number. The building looks much as it did when the patriots of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay won for it the proud title of "the Cradle of American Liberty," the chief changes being those effected by the erection around and about it of edifices of more modern structure. Indeed, the old Hall, in its plain, severe dignity, does not invite or even permit alteration. It would be unpardonable to change a stick or a brick in the Boston "Cradle," or in its cousin, the Philadelphia "Birtl.place." As Dr. Lossing says in his closing clause above: "The wish expressed in Lafayette's toast ought to be the sentiment of every true American." We believe in this what " 'ought to be," is, and whosoever does not cherish that sentiment cannot justly be honored with the designation "true American." The Centennial period should produce an intense reverence for the landmarks of the days we celebrate.-EDITOR. OCKONISSA, QUEEN OF THE CHEROKEES, AND DE SOTA. BY SHEELAH.1 IN TWO PARTS-PART I. It was nearly fifty years after Columbus discov- | few wandering natives, one of whom, to their sur ered our continent that Hernando De Soto, Span- prise, accosted them in the Spanish language ish Governor of Cuba, left his wife, the fair Being taken before the Governor, this man stated Countess Isabel, to govern in his stead, while he that he was a Spaniard belonging to De Len's went to explore Florida, then believed to be a party, who, with three of his companions, hal large island. He hoped to have the glory of dis- been taken captive. His companions had suffered covering immense treasures in the new region, torture and death, which he narrowly escaped which ambition was favored by his king, who cre- through the intervention of the chief's daughter ated him Adelantado of Florida, combining the who sent him as a slave to her lover, a brave of a offices of Governor-General and Commander-in- neighboring tribe. For twelve years he had thes Chief. lived, during which he had thoroughly imbibed the habits and language of the people, and ha face had become as dark as theirs. De Soto was glad to find this man, who would be invaluable to him as an interpreter; and immediately took him into his service. The coast had been visited previously; but the adventurers, by their cruelty, had made themselves obnoxious to the natives, who finally beat and drove them off, taking a few of their number prisoners. The reports received by De Soto of the inhabitants of Florida were, therefore, such as rendered it prudent for him to go thither well escorted; and the reasonable wish to overawe the red man, coinciding with his own natural love of show, caused him to equip his followers with all the pomp and glitter of that gorgeous age. It was certainly a splendid company that now landed on the Floridan shore. Mounted on horses, animals unknown in the country, and accompanied by banners and music, the strangers proudly trod the soil of which Juan Ponce De Leon had taken possession for the crown of Spain over twenty years before. On, then, moved the cavalcade. They had now passed those tribes who had met and known their predecessors; and their appearance, as they trav elled through a country where the horse and the white man were equal strangers, caused astonishe ment and terror. They journeyed northwest, by hamlet and cor field, through forest and swamp. They obtained such provisions as the country afforded; but no gold or gems rewarded their search, though the Indians pointed to a country farther west, where they declared such treasures existed. As they proceeded the accounts gathered strength respecting this wealthy region westward, and they hastened on, the horse seeming to share the rider's impo. tience to reach the golden goal. Gradually, as they advanced, they perceived an improvement in the country and people; the for But the people, who inherited the land from their fathers, knew nothing about Spain and her claims; they only knew that they had received wrong and insult from the pale faces who had visited them, and they accorded to De Soto no welcome, and to his splendid cavalcade no admi-mer was more cultivated, the latter more clotted ration. By a kind and gentle bearing he expected to overcome the repugnance of the people; but their previous acquaintance with the white man had been of too bitter a character to render conciliation possible. The chiefs would hold no intercourse with the hated strangers; and it was with difficulty that they could obtain even the purchase of provisions. One day, as they travelled, they came upon a 1 We should much prefer to give the name of the author, but defer to her wish in the use of the nom de plume. In answer to inquiries they found all previos re ports corroborated as to the province which they were seeking: its name they learned was Cotachiqui, and it was on the other side of the big river Of rivers they had passed several on their journey and some which they had found difficult to cros but the one that bordered Cofachiqui was de scribed as deeper and wider than any they lad wt seen. They also received more accurate directions now to the capital of the nation where the cha resided. It was reached at last-the broad Chattahoochee gleaming in the sunlight-and beyond it, sure enough, a country different from any our adventurers had yet seen. On the opposite banks to where they drew up was a large, handsomely-built town, while scattered over the landscape, far as the eye could reach, were houses of various styles, cultivated lands, and every appearance of a large and prosperous popu lation. "To our chief we bear your words," was te grave rejoinder; and bowing again, the embry withdrew. The canoe sped back, and in half an hour its return, the water was in commotion. A bere ́ unique appearance, followed by a fleet of cases, moved out into the stream, and gracefully div.ding the waves that danced in sparkling edes around, steered towards the Spanish encampment As it approached near enough to be distincti barge was a deck covered by a canopy, where, ir : large chair, a figure, apparently that of a you female, was seated; and around, on lower ar pretentious seats, were eight attendants, also ap parently females. Nor were they, as they halted, less objects of in-seen, it was observed that in the centre of the terest and scrutiny to those at the other side than the latter were to them. They presented a strange appearance to the townsfolk, in their glittering armor and mounted on unknown beasts, while the deep strains of their music floated over the still waters. They were a large number, too, and alarm mingled with the excitement which their arrival occasioned. When their preparations to encamp made it certain that the strangers were about to remain, an embassy was commissioned to wait on them and ascertain who they were and what their errand. A large canoe, well manned, put off from the town, and as it sped across the waters the Spaniards perceived that its occupants were a much higher class of men than any they had yet encountered in the New World. As the canoe drew up to the bank, six men stepped ashore, and accosting the interpreter who had been sent to meet them, demanded to see the chief of the company. They were tall, well-formed men, somewhat advanced in years, and of a grave and dignified deportment. They were habited in long, flowing robes of white cotton cloth, and their feet neatly cased in leather. Their hair was long and smoothed back from the brow; and from the crown of the foremost arose a plume of eagles' feathers. When conducted to camp, De Soto stood to receive them; they turned their faces to the east and bowed to the sun; then they turned to the Governor and bowed to him. The foremost then, moving a step forward, asked in a mild but fearless tone: "Stranger, from we know not whence, come you hither in peace ?" "We come in peace," replied De Soto, "from a country far away, beyond the great ocean. We come to visit your fair province, and to make a treaty with your nation in the name of our sovereign." The Spaniards watched with intense curiosity tha centre group as the barge drew nearer. Arrid at the bank, four men approached the deck, ar.! bowing, lifted a frame to which the chair was 2'tached, and bore it gently and carefully store. A procession was then formed, in which the men who had composed the previous embassy walked first; the chair, on either side of which the egit attendants walked, was next carried, and a dozri or more stout, warlike men followed. De Soto had assumed as much state as poss Ne to receive this imposing-looking company. He had a carpet spread on which he took his stari, arrayed in his best attire, and surrounded by hs officers in their glittering uniforms. For some de tance behind were to be seen horses, tents d men-the whole making a grand and formidabe display. As the six ministers, for such they proved to be. stepped on the carpet, the foremost exclaimed: "Our honored chief comes to visit the chief s the strangers." They then filed to the right and left, and the chair of state was set down in the open space. within a few feet of where the Spanish Govern e stood. This, then, was the chief of Cofachiqui! ag of apparently about twenty years, with features of marked beauty; a slight and elegant figure, and a countenance where childlike softness, womart dignity and queenly grace were blended. De Soto, who had been brought up at the p ished court of Spain, could not lack the demean requisite for any occasion; yet there was some thing in the simple majesty before him, in the sober reality of the scene around, which put hollow etiquette at fault, and for once the gallant knight was embarrassed. He bowed, however, as the lady inclined her head, and listened in respectful attitude as the sweet tones of her voice broke the silence. strangers to Keowee. "I come," she said, "noble chief, to bid you and your tribe welcome to Cofachiqui, and to invite you to make us a visit in our town of Keo-mestic institution with the lady of Cofachiqui, and not put on occasionally for display. The royal residence stood alone, surrounded by a square in the centre of the town. The outer walls were of mingled clay and stone; the inner walls and roof of timber. The public apartments were smoothly plastered with whitish clay, and the floors made of the same material, mixed with pebbles and pounded hard. She then said that on the following morning she would send over canoes and rafts to transport him and his people across the river, by which time she would have houses prepared for their reception. Further conversation ensued, during which the intelligence and purity of thought which the lady displayed were only equalled by the elegance of the language in which her sentiments were clothed, while the delicate charm of her manner was the more attractive from its entire naturalness. Altogether, the visit appeared to the wondering Spaniards like a fairy scene, or the conjur-council or others who had business in the hall, and ing of some wizard spell. When the lady considered that the interview had lasted long enough, she unloosed a string of very large and beautiful pearls which thrice encircled her neck and hung to her waist in front; this she handed to the interpreter, desiring him to present, from her, to his chief. De Soto remarked that it would increase the value of the gift ten-fold if he could have the honor of receiving it from the queen's own hand. When this was repeated to her she looked grave, then smiled, and taking the pearls from the hand of the interpreter, motioned De Soto to approach, rose from her seat, and laid the string lightly over his shoulders. The Governor bowed low; then taking a ring from his hand, set with a costly ruby, he presented it to her, requesting she would place it on her finger, which she did, at the same time bending her head with a graceful adieu. Making a sign to her attendants, her chair was immediately lifted, the procession again formed, and the princess and her suite returned again to Keowee in the same order as they had come. Early next morning a large number of canoes and rafts crossed the river to the Spanish encampment with the royal command to convey the The hall wherein the chief gave audience, and to which De Soto and his staff were conducted for presentation on their arrival, was a large and lofty apartment. Near one end was a high seat which the chief occupied, and behind and on either side were ranged stools for the accommodation of her female attendants. Around stood benches for the now was placed, near to the chief's seat, a chair for her principal guest. The Spanish Governor was received by the fair chief with the easy grace of a lady. She looked even more lovely than on the previous day—her girlish beauty enhanced by the dignity of her surroundings. Her long, black hair was bound round her head in glossy folds, sprinkled with pearls, while her soft, smooth neck and arms were ornamented with strings of the same precious beads of the largest and purest. She wore a robe of white cotton, descending to her feet, and confined at the waist by a broad silken sash; a scarf of the same material covering the shoulders, the long, fringed ends of which hung to her knees. All her council stood around; her principal minister, distinguished by his eagle plume, occupying a prominent place at her left hand. De Soto bowed low as he approached the fair, young sovereign, and thanked her in courtly terms for the welcome with which she honored him, and the handsome arrangements which she had made for his people. Her reply was a graceful bend of the head; she then waved her hand toward the chair prepared for her guest, and as soon as he was seated, entered into conversation with him respecting the objects |