Towards the close of the last century there was a movement of settlers to the frontiers of Kentucky. The new comers to the then unsettled district were from various parts of the American continent, and each of the pioneers who thus cast his lot upon the extreme verge of civilisation made his account for holding his homestead by aid of his rifle, against the attacks of the denizens of the neighbouring forests. Sometimes the enemy was only in shape of a wolf or a bear—oftentimes in that of an Indian. In either case the farmer had to maintain his ground by the strong hand, in those days the only law that held sway in the backwoods. In such a state of affairs it is clear that none but bold spirits would venture to found a home on the frontier; yet such were not wanting; and amongst them was a farmer, who at an earlier period of his life had left the plough to take up arms in defence of American independence. In that rough and ready service he had gained the often quickly-acquired rank of Colonel; but the war ceasing, he, like others among his patriotic countrymen, quietly returned to his more peaceful occupation as a farmer; choosing a location where land was plenty and cheap to those who had the courage to hold it where Indians and other dangerous neighbours were abundant. The sons of such a man, nurtured in such a spot, might well be expected to inherit the enterprise, courage, and hardihood which distinguished their parent. Handling a rifle as soon as they were strong enough to lift one; accustomed to hunting excursions and “camping out;” working now at the plough, now in building up a barn, or in filling it when complete; driving the waggon and its load to a distant market, and bringing back at any hour, and in all seasons, the stores that varied their farm-grown contributions to the larder; and when winter-time brought comparative leisure, turning to books for almost the only education procurable in the rough and primitive region they inhabited;—boys, so reared, could scarcely be other than bold, energetic, and fruitful in resources, and equal in after life to the shifting exigencies of an active military career. From such a parent, and such a childhood and youth, and with such an early training, sprang President and General Zachary Taylor, whose recent death our Transatlantic brethren are even now deploring; and the story of whose life their journals will help us to tell.