Imatges de pàgina
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"What a large volume of adventures may be gra span of life by him who interests his heart in ever having his eyes to see what time and chance are ing out to him as he journeyeth on his way, misse fairly lay his hands on."-STERNE'S Sentimental

"Take this in good part, whatsoever thou And wish me no worse than I wish unto

Ir was a remark of that celebrated B man, Horace Walpole, that the viciss man's life were too slight to prove i detailed in the simple order of their The idea originated with the poet Gra which has suggested itself to the min man may be appropriated by an indiv suming the sentiment as true, the auth SKETCHES has alone presumed to lay h tions and adventures as a traveller majesty of the public; and upon th

solely must they relv for any interes

asped in this rything, and wh

perpetually hol s nothing he c Journal.

hee."

TURNER.

tish state

des of no eresting, if

ccurrence if an idea

of every ual. As of these observaefore the principle

sometimes through lack of knowledge, misinfo: tion, or attempt at brevity, but never through a thought or malice prepense. Upon the whole writer admits himself completely laid open to icism; and, should any public-spirited wo deem it his duty to rise up in judgment and av the wrongs of literature and the community, he undoubted right so to do: nathless, he is most itably forewarned that he will hardly gather u "labour for his pains!" But allons.

It is only ten or twelve years since the town of Jacksonville, now, perhaps, the most flouris inland village in Illinois, was first laid off; a is but within the past five years that its pr unprecedented advancement can be dated. It is a broad elevated roll in the midst of a beat prairie; and, from whatever point it is approa few places present a more delightful pros The spot seems marked and noted by Natur the abode of man. The neighbouring prairie i dulating, and the soil uncommonly rich, eve this land of fertility. It is mostly under high vation, and upon its northern and western ed environed by pleasant groves, watered by r a "sweet and curious brook." The public so

in the

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occupied by a handsome courthouse and a market, both of brick, and its sides filled up with dwellinghouses, stores, law-offices, a church, bank, and hotel. From this point radiate streets and avenues in all directions: one through each side of every angle near its vertex, and one through the middle of every side; so that the town-plat is completely cut up into rectangles. If I mistake not in my description, it will be perceived that the public square of Jacksonville may be entered at no less than twelve distinct avenues. In addition to the spacious courthouse, the public buildings consist of three or four churches. One of these, belonging to the Congregational order, betrays much correct taste; and its pulpit is the most simply elegant I remember ever to have seen. It consists merely of a broad platform in the chancel of the building, richly carpeted; a dark mahogany bar without drapery, highly polished; and a neat sofa of the same material in a plain back-ground. The outline and proportion are perfect; and, like the doctrines of the sect which worships here, there is an air of severe, dignified elegance about the whole structure, pleasing as it is rare. The number of Congregational churches in the West is exceedingly small; and as it is always pleasant for the stranger in a strange land to meet the peculiarities of that worship to which from childhood-days he has been attached, so it is peculiarly grateful to the NewEngland emigrant to recognise in this distant spot the simple faith and ceremony of the Pilgrims. Jacksonville is largely made up of emigrants from

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the North; and they have brought with them many of their customs and peculiarities. The State of Illinois may, indeed, be truly considered the NewEngland of the West. In many respects it is more congenial than any other to the character and prejudices of the Northern emigrant. It is not a slave state; internal improvement is the grand feature of its civil polity; and measures for the universal diffusion of intellectual, moral, and religious culture are in active progression. In Henry county, in the northern section of the state, two townplats have within the past year been laid off for colonies of emigrants from Connecticut, which intend removing in the ensuing fall, accompanied each by their minister, physician, lawyer, and with all the various artisans of mechanical labour necessary for such communities. The settlements are to be called Wethersfield and Andover. Active measures for securing the blessings of education, religion, temperance, etc., have already been taken.*

The edifices of "Illinois College," to which I have before alluded, are situated upon a beautiful eminence one mile west of the village, formerly known as "Wilson's Grove." The site is truly delightful. In the rear lies a dense green clump of oaks, and in front is spread out the village, with a boundless extent of prairie beyond, covered for miles with cultivation. Away to the south, the wild-flower flashes as gayly in the sunlight, and

* Since the above was written, the emigrants have removed. VOL. II.-F

waves as gracefully when swept by the breeze, as centuries ago, when no eye of man looked upon its loveliness. During my stay at Jacksonville I visited several times this pleasant spot, and always with renewed delight at the glorious scenery it presented. Connected with the college buildings are extensive grounds; and students, at their option, may devote a portion of each day to manual labour in the workshop or on the farm. Some individuals have, it is said, in this manner defrayed all the expenses of their education. This system of instruction cannot be too highly recommended. Apart from the benefits derived in acquiring a knowledge of the use of mechanical instruments, and the development of mechanical genius, there are others of a higher nature which every one who has been educated at a public institution will appreciate. Who has not gazed with anguish on the sunken cheek and the emaciated frame of the young aspirant for literary distinction? Who has not beheld the funeral fires of intellect while the lamp of life was fading, flaming yet more beautifully forth, only to be dimmed for ever! The lyre is soon to be crushed; but, ere its hour is come, it flings forth notes of melody sweet beyond expres sion! Who does not know that protracted, unremitting intellectual labour is always fatal, unaccompanied by corresponding physical exertion; and who cannot perceive that any inducement, be it what it may, which can draw forth the student from his retirement, is invaluable. Such an inducement is the lively interest which the cultivated mind

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