of his young consort, and his solemn and piercing look in expressing these words'Yes, by G-d! these bewitching d-ls shall soon cease to plague the earth! Do not believe that these animals are only snakes creeping snakes: they are servants of fallen angels the immediate agents and spirits of Hell.'"

Here my guide ended his narrative. We returned to Pine Orchard in deep silence. The tale of the unfortunate snake-hunter remained a long while impressed on my mind; and when subsequently, in the Southern States, I had frequent occasions of seeing snakes of different kinds, I always remembered this anecdote.

From Catskill Mountains I proceeded to a small village, five miles up the river, to which the classical name of Athens has been given. It was the first place I arrived at in America, bearing an old European name. This, however, is very customary: in my subsequent travels in the country, I found several places called Sparta, Rome, Utica, Syracuse, &c. These names have been adopted without any attention being paid as to whether the situation of the village or hamlet bore any resemblance to the old city after which it was

VOL. I.

G

baptized whim or chance have determined the appellation.

American Athens, for example, is situated on a plain, without a single hill, and on the banks of a river; whereas ancient Athens was surrounded by eminences. At first, it appeared singular to me to see a place, which, since my youth, I had pictured to myself filled with venerable relics, and ruins of temples and palaces, only consist of a few wooden houses of modern architecture, unpaved streets, showing no other ruins but those of abandoned blacksmiths' shops, or the walls of houses destroyed by fire. It was also a peculiar feature in Athens to behold hogs and other quadrupeds occupy the thoroughfares and squares, instead of having the ears delighted with speeches from eloquent orators.

From hence I crossed the river to Hudson, a small hamlet on the opposite side, and continued my journey to Lebanon Springs, in company with one of the most amiable American families I ever met with, and the recollection of which will follow me through life.

CHAPTER V.

"I joined myself to the people. It is now thirty years since, I believe, and," added she, raising her hands and eyes, and speaking with more energy than she had yet spoken, "I say the truth before God, and lie not: I have not repented for a moment I have been heartily thankful that I have borne my testimony. I have purchased a peace that cannot be taken away, and cheaply purchased it." MISS SEDGEWICK.

THESE Springs are among the most fashionable in the Northern States; in the summer season they are filled with the first and best company. They are situated on the declivity of a mountain, from whence, for miles round, Nature appears in her finest mantle. The water is lukewarm and perfectly harmless. The greatest part of individuals visiting this place do it less from a desire to taste the waters than to see and acquire a knowledge of the remarkable religious sect, whose head-quarters are in this vicinity, and the members of which are called Shakers.

Several branches of this sect are spread over various parts of America; but the principal place the central union is at a village about two miles from the Springs, exclusively inhabited by Shakers, and built by them. Every stranger, visiting it for the first time, cannot help remarking the peculiar cleanliness and neatness everywhere prevailing. On both sides of a wide street are houses two or three stories high. One row is built at the foot of a mountain, which shelters it against the north-easterly winds, and furnishes, besides, to the inhabitants sufficiency of water to carry on saw-mills, flour-mills, and workshops of various descriptions. The other row, again, is surrounded by gardens, abounding in every kind of vegetables; and extensive meadows are seen at a distance, where the finest cattle are fed on the most luxuriant herbs. On this side of the street, also, is the meeting-house, erected in the year 1825, by zealous members. It is of wood, eighty feet long, and sixty-five wide, with a vaulted roof, covered with tin plates. The interior and exterior is painted white. The inside is destitute of ornaments - no pillars, no painted windows, no tasteful pulpit. The floor is the only part with which they seem to

have taken any pains. It is of American fir, of a brown colour, and so shining and clean, that one is almost unwilling to walk upon it. The whole appearance of this church bears the stamp of simplicity and cleanliness.

The United Society of Shakers had its origin in England. The first founder was a female of the name of Ann Lee, born at Manchester, in the year 1736. Her father was a poor blacksmith, who could not afford to give his eight children any education.

Ann commenced her career in a cottonfactory afterwards she engaged with a hatter; then as a cook in an hospital; and finally married, at the age of eighteen, a smith of the name of Stanley, who treated her in the most cruel and barbarous manner. This produced a depression of spirits, and she was observed invariably seeking solitude.

From a hypochondriac she soon became a religious fanatic. She ardently sought and got admission into a Quaker company. Here her fanatical ravings gained additional strength, and she began at length to preach and proclaim her own creed about the year 1770. She pretended to be the second Christ, sent on earth to make revelations; and