unprincipled faction――a region we would gladly avoid, did not our path lead across it, which we enter reluctantly, and with feelings not unlike those of the traveller who has journeyed through an enlightened country, beautified by art, literature, and science, and is about to pass into one destitute of the conveniences and necessaries of civilization. As he pauses and turns to take a last look of the beauty of the former, before he plunges into the gloom and dreariness of the latter, so let us cast a glance at the bright region behind, before entering the dismal one before us. The vision is cheered by a vast country, basking in the sunshine of high prosperity, with its various departments organized and governed with the most scrupulous fidelity, and with strict regard for the interests of those for whom they were established. No evils are seen to exist, except such as are incident to the most wisely regulated human institutions. On all sides we behold a population harmonious and happy, pursuing their different vocations without clashing or defection, or rejoicing over the rewards of honest and judicious industry. The great sources of their thrift, and most conspicuous features of their country, are the broad, deep, and crystalline streams of agriculture, commerce, currency, and domestic manufactures, with its noble tributary, internal improvement. These meander throughout its whole extent, deposit their sweet waters at every man’s dwelling, and make the whole land vocal with innocent mirth and pure enjoyment. Such was the condition of the country through which we have just journeyed, and, had we leisure, would gladly linger to enumerate more particularly the benefits and blessings which the enriching influences of those magnificent streams generated; but we must hasten to trace their progress in the country before us. Previously, however, to commencing our cheerless march, let us, from our lofty position, survey their appearance, after they enter its lonely wilds and barrens. According to a universal and fundamental law of nature, their magnitude should be greatly increased, but they present an instance of its suspension, for some have dwindled to mere rills, and some have entirely disappeared, while others, encountering some unnatural impediments, have become dammed up, and inundated immense tracts with their waters, which stagnate and pollute the atmosphere with noxious vapors. The appearance of the country and its inhabitants, is sickening to behold. The former, broken, uncouth, and uncultivated, looks as though it were laboring under an attack of delirium tremens. Among the latter, commotion, confusion, and disorder, prevail. There is an abundance of action, but it is that of desperation and excitement, but it is perfectly ♦beneficial. A noble few seem to be struggling virtuously against a tide of ruin and excess; but the great mass appear to be in the hot pursuit of the wildest schemes that human