taught to read their own language in translations prepared by the Missionaries. Tuscarora village, which was visited by Mr. Duncan in 1818, is about four miles from Lewiston, on the south of the Ridge Road. The log-huts are scattered at some little distance from each other, on the brow of the slope which forms the continuation of the heights of Queenstown.* A log-hut of larger dimensions than the rest, serves the double purpose of a church on the sabbath, and a school-house during the week. "The sound of the church-going bell," says Mr. Duncan, " was indeed wanting; but an old Indian at the porch was winding a long blast upon a horn; and as its echoes rang through the woods, Indians and white men, old and young, assembled at the summons." The aspect of the congregation was novel and interesting. A small desk at the head of the room was the Missionary's pulpit; forms were ranged around for the auditory; and on the walls were hung the large alphabets and spelling lessons used in Lancasterian schools. The Indians wore dresses of broad cloth of various colours; the men, a kind of frock coat and leggings; the women, a large mantle, red, blue, or green, with leggings and mocassins fancifully embroidered: some of them had a profusion of silver ornaments on various parts of their dress. The whole preserved the most decorous silence and solemnity, the women sitting enveloped in their mantle, with its folds brought up with the left hand across the mouth, so that only the upper part of the countenance was visible. The service was begun with a hymn, which the Indians sang in their own language,

• During the last war with Great Britain, this settlement shared in the desolation of all the villages on each side of the river; but these villages had been rebuilt, and the Indians again collected, at the time of this Traveller's visit.

in a very pleasing style, to one of our ordinary church tunes. Most of them had music-books open before them, and they sang the different parts. Their voices were good; those of the women particularly sweet. When the hymn was concluded, Mr. Crane, the Missionary, addressed them in English, an old Indian interpreting the address to his Red brethren, sentence by sentence. It was listened to with profound attention. Another hymn succeeded, sung by the Indians; after which, Mr. Crane offered up a prayer, and then delivered a discourse, which was in like manner interpreted sentence by sentence. At its conclusion, one of the Christian Indians was called upon to pray in his native language before the whole assembly, which he did with great fervour and emotion. An Indian chief named Longboard then rose, and spontaneously addressed the assembly. He was dressed in a style somewhat superior to most of them, and wore at his breast a large silver medal bearing the bust of Washington. He folded his arms as he rose, and his drawling accents were in striking contrast to the impassioned prayer of the preceding speaker. His speech, which lasted about ten minutes, was ostensibly in support of the Missionary, but had for its real object, to prop his own authority, in order that, when a fit opportunity offered, it might be exerted in an opposite way. He has, since then, thrown off the mask, and been compelled to retire with his adherents into Canada.*

At

* This chief had formerly possessed considerable influence in his nation; and he often boasted that it was altogether in consequence of his addresses, that any improvement in the character and conduct of the Indians had taken place. Jealousy of the Missionary's ascendancy, and mortification at finding his own influence undermined by the introduction of civilization, were probably the motives which prompted him and some others to make a vigorous

the conclusion of Longboard's oration, the Indians united in singing another hymn, and the service was concluded with the benediction.

Mr. Duncan was assured, that, since the introduction of Christianity among them, a material improvement had taken place in the condition of the Tuscaroras, who had previously been in a state of as great debasement as any of the surrounding tribes. They now pay considerable attention to agriculture, and, in addition to maize, have begun to cultivate wheat; they are honest in their transactions, sober, industrious, and, as a community, happy and comfortable beyond what they ever were before.*

Other Missionary stations have been established by the American Board, at Mackinaw, on an island in the straits between Lakes Huron and Michigan; at New Stockbridge, on the west side of Lake Michigan; and at Maumee, on the river of that name, near the Ottawas, 10 miles S. of Perrysburg. The Western and Southern tribes have also occupied the attention of the Board; and great advances have been made by some of the Cherokees more especially, in knowledge, morals, and the arts of civilized life. To the interesting subject of these Missions, we shall have occasion to advert hereafter.

The little town of Niagara is built upon the British side of the river, close to the town of Ontario.† Fort

effort to put down the new doctrines, and expel the teachers. The contest occasioned considerable confusion for a time, but terminated in the re-establishment of peace and harmony.

* Duncan, vol. ii. pp. 62-77. See also, "A Sabbath among the Tuscarora Indians," by the same Author. Glasgow, 1819; and Miss. Register for 1829, p. 140.

+ " Map-makers and travellers," says Mr. Duncan, "persist in calling it Newark, but that name is not acknowledged by the inhabitants."

George, a turf entrenchment of considerable extent, stands close by the town. On the opposite bank of the river, and close upon the edge of the lake, is Fort Niagara, a stone fortification, originally constructed by the French, but considerably improved and strengthened by the Americans, particularly since the last war; and a strong breastwork has been thrown up to resist the encroachment of the water, which threatened to undermine the whole fabric.

The Welland Canal, connecting the waters of Lake Erie with Lake Ontario, would properly fall under our notice in the description of Canada; yet, a reference to this noble result of individual enterprise seems called for in this place.* Captain B. Hall gives the following description of it. "The level of Lake Erie above Lake Ontario, is 330 feet; which is surmounted by a series of thirtyseven locks, cut on the ridge of the mountain facing Lake Ontario. The whole canal is 41 miles long, and is of a size to admit the largest class of sailing vessels navigating the lakes. These are schooners from 90 to 120 tons burden; and they will pass readily enough through the locks, which are made 100 feet long and 22 feet wide. The Welland Canal is 58 feet wide at the surface, 26 at bottom, and carries eight feet water at its shallowest places. By a judicious set of arrangements, this may readily be augmented to 10 feet, if vessels of a greater draught should be built for the lakes. A great part of the channel was

"The bold and workmanlike idea of making a ship canal from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, originated with Mr. William Hamilton Merritt, a resident at the village of St. Catherine's in Upper Canada, through which spot the canal now passes. All parties concur in saying, that to his perseverance and knowledge of the subject, as well as to his great personal exertions, this useful work is mainly indebted for its success."-B. Hall, vol. i. p. 215.

The Welland and Grand

ready made by nature. Rivers, which form a considerable portion of the whole work, are, indeed, more like canals than running streams, their flow being imperceptible. Ten or twelve miles of the canal, also, are cut through a marsh; by which operation, an extensive tract of rich soil has been laid bare, and will be brought at once into cultivation, in a part of the country where such land is most valuable.. ...The chain of locks by which the canal descends that side of the hill which faces Lake Ontario, was formed under greater advantages than the series at Lockport (on the Erie Canal). They lie, during a great part of the way, along the course of a ravine or natural cleft, so admirably suited to the purposes required, that, in many instances, little more has been found necessary, than merely cutting a towing-path on the banks, after damming up a series of large ponds or reservoirs; which serve not only the primary purpose of feeding the locks, but also furnish water in such profuse quantity, that numerous mills and manufactories will be supplied, even in the driest season, by the mere waste waters of the canal."*

The Welland Canal is said to have one important advantage over its rival, arising from its southern end (or that which opens into Lake Erie) lying further westward than the opening of the American canal; in consequence of which, the ice blocks up the entrance to the latter at Buffalo, several weeks longer than the mouth of the Canadian canal. Lake Erie, which is not in general above ten or twelve fathoms deep,† is frozen over every season; while Ontario is so deep that ice never forms upon it. "It thus acts the part of a

B. Hall, vol. i. pp. 216, 17.

† Mr. Howison says, from 15 to 18 fathoms.