in the loss of his youngest son, who was accidentally killed in his presence, about two years ago, by the upsetting of a cart, which crushed him with almost instantaneous death. He told me the particulars of this sore trial with strong emotions, yet with calm submission to the will of God; and taking me to the grave, in a retired part of the woods, he remarked that he often visited it, to solemnize his mind, and meditate upon those important events which are to take place hereafter. In conversing cheerfully with me on those subjects, he added, I am satisfied with the goodness, the promise, and the faithfulness of Jehovah; and have directed, when I die, that my bones may be laid by the side of those of my son, in the hope of a joyful resurrection! The life of this aged pilgrim is a living portrait of vital Christianity, and suggested to my mind the lines of the poet that so beautifully describe the inhabitants of some of the hamlets in Scotland.

"Oh

much I love thy tranquil dales;

But most on Sabbath eve, when low the sun
Slants through the upland copse, 'tis my delight,
Wandering, and stopping oft, to hear the song
Of kindred praise arise from humble roofs;
Or when the simple service ends, to hear
The lifted latch, and mark the grey-hair'd man,

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LEAVE NEW BRUNSWICK.

The father and the priest, walk forth alone
Into his garden plat, or little field,

To commune with his God in secret prayer;
To bless the Lord that in his downward years
Rich mercies still surround him; sweet meantime,
The thrush that sings upon the aged thorn,
Brings to his view the days of youthful years,
When that same aged thorn was but a bush.
Nor is the contrast between youth and age
To him a painful thought; he joys to think
His journey near a close: Heaven is his home."

June the 20th, I left the province of New Brunswick, on my mission to the Mohawk Indians, settled along the Grand River, Upper Canada, and landed from the steam boat, that ran between the city of Saint John and Eastport, the frontier town of the United States, on the same evening. The next morning, I took the packet boat for Boston, and soon after my arrival, proceeded on my way, through the state of Massachusetts, by the stage, to Albany.

Negro Slavery has been for a considerable time abolished in Massachusetts, and the people of colour commemorate its abolition by an annual procession which I had the pleasure of witnessing. Their appearance was rather grotesque, and excited much good humour among the gazing multitude. The old men who headed the procession carried short batoons, some of

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whom wore cocked hats, cockades, epaulets, silk sashes, and top boots:-then followed a party of younger men bearing pikes with tin heads, and a few flags; several bands of music were placed at intervals in the long array, and the whole was closed by a number of black boys, two and two, in their gayest apparel. On each side of the procession were seen a great number of female negroes, and in this order they went to the church, as is customary with the Benefit Societies in England at their annual meetings, to hear divine service. The men afterwards dined together, elected office-bearers for the year ensuing, and according to custom on such occasions, it was stated that they "spent the evening in the utmost conviviality and good humour.'

It was truly gratifying to witness the happy appearance of these free blacks, and to think of the event commemorated by their holiday procession. The State laws prohibited their being any longer bought and sold like the inferior animals, or a mass of inanimate matter. As in England they breathed the air of liberty: and the privilege was theirs of hearing the glad tidings of Redemption from an African preacher, which under a divine blessing can liberate

them from that bondage from which no legislative act could free them.

Albany was an early Dutch settlement, on the banks of the Hudson River; and the town is situated at the distance of about one hundred and sixty miles from New York. Though of little note, in comparison with the size and population of that city, the Legislative Assembly of the state of New York meet at Albany. The Capitol, or State House, stands on an eminence, at the end of a wide and handsome street, and has its dome surmounted by a figure of Justice. A number of old Dutch buildings still remain, with the gable end to the street ; which form a singular appearance with the more modern and tasteful style of houses which have been erected. The anniversary of the fourth of July, the celebration of the national independence of America, took place during my stay in the town. An oration was pronounced in the morning, as is the annual custom in the United States on the subject of their freedom and the causes which led to it. In every other respect, the anniversary very much resembled the public demonstration of joy in England on the King's birthday. The national banner was displayed on the public

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271

buildings, and from the masts and rigging of the vessels in the harbour. The military paraded the streets, and assembled before the Senate House to fire a feu de joie, and the evening closed with a grand display of fire-works. The great western canal, which was begun in 1817, is now completed, and connects Lake Erie with the waters of the Hudson, near Albany. This astonishing undertaking is generally mentioned to have been suggested and principally promoted by the Hon. De Witt Clinton, then governor of the state. Its whole length is three hundred and sixtytwo miles, and cost seven millions of dollars. Boats run on the canal, of about fifty tons burden, and draw about four feet water. They are drawn by two or three horses and afford tolerably comfortable accommodations for passengers. I took my passage in one of them for Buffalo; and the only inconvenience I found, was, in reconciling myself to the gregarious arrangement of sleeping at night. We passed Tribes Hill,' distinguished formerly as the place where the Mohawk Indians generally assembled to hold their council fire. Near to which is the residence of the late Sir William Johnson, who is said to have acquired a greater influence over the Indians than any other white