America was still a land of wonder. The ancient spell still hung unbroken over the wild, vast world of mystery beyond the sea,-a land of romance, adventure, and gold.

Our New England climate is mild and equable compared with that of the Platte.

Humanity, morality, decency, might be forgotten, but codfish must still be had for the use of the faithful in Lent and on fast days.

Not a breath of air stirred over the free and open prairie; the clouds were like light piles of cotton; and where the blue sky was visible, it wore a hazy and languid aspect.

France built its best colony on a principle of exclusion, and failed; England reversed the system, and succeeded.

America, when it became known to Europeans, was, as it had long been, a scene of wide-spread revolution.

We were now arrived at the close of our solitary journeyings along the St. Joseph's trail.