The Ladies' Repository

calls, and moonlight strolls; or, within doors, readThe river Susquehanna belongs to Pennsylvania, ing, talk, friendship, and all the rights and rites and runs alınost its whole course in that state; but of good neighborhood, with interludes of music, vohas its rise (the eastern rather than the western cal, instrumental, and sylvan—a “busy idlesse;" and branch may be so considered) in the state of New now to prayers and praise, and so to bed. York, in Otsego Lake, in the county of the same The scene before us, though varied in its features, name, and runs its course between some of the is one of peculiar harmony and repose—the very richest counties in the state-Delaware, Chenango, { landscape looks contented! The windings (we will Broome, and Tioga, and passes, at latitude 42°, into not have them either " “tortuous or “serpentine") Pennsylvania.

of the river are pleasing and picturesque; and how This river, though large, is not considerable, in its snugly is that little "delta” of an island ensconced proper sense. We are told that it is navigable only in its watery bed! Here are habitations enough for five and a half miles, at its mouth, before it enters succor and civilization; for the rest, have we not the the Chesapeake. It is generally shallow, and much wooded hills, the lawns, the vales, the pensile shores broken and narrowed by rocks, and ripples, and of the island. banks. It was stated by a board of commissioners We know not the projectile scale of this delineawho examined it, that every obstruction to its navi- tion; but something about it gives the impression gation could be removed, up to the mouth of each that the real view (apart from its life) is far more branch, for the sum of twenty thousand dollars, beautiful than the draught. No landscape is as atwhich was never awarded to the object.

tractive at noonday as at any other time; not beBut it is quite refreshing, in these days, when the cause our own ideas are not so lively as in the mornwhole world is cut up into railroads, turnpikes, ca- }ing, nor so pensive as at evening; but in itself the nals, and “viaducts” of one sort and another, to aspect of the sun is not as good. The size of this find one sequestered spot, one quiet nook, where, fairy isle" it is rather difficult to guess by the eye indeed, is the possibility of retreat, and of rustica- alone; but as this river measures, at its widest, near ting for a season—of enjoying at ease, under the the mouth, but one and three-fourths of a mile, and heats of summer, a remission from crowds, gossip- } this is situated pretty near its rise, “above Owego," ing, and dress! Yet not for selfishness, indolence, } (in the state of New York,) we may conclude that or churlishness' sake would we come here; but for { its three angles may be each from three-fourths of a sake of rationality, health, mental acquirement, and { mile to a mile in extent. But we see it is just the equanimity! One can be heartily thankful and de-{"right size." vout amidst the scenes and breathings of nature Yet somewhere on this very stream, at the “eastsimplicity, innocence, the riches of the field, the ern branch," is a retreat-a watering-place, we suporchard, the harvest, with health and self-posses pose--that enormity of gregariousness. However, sion-immunity from hurry, and worry, and dust, } the whole innocent river must not come under ban and musquitoes! Amidst these things, what can for that

for the sins of its idolaters. They come one do but think of one's self ? Emancipated from not here for bathing, or for health, but for its oppothem, what can we not endeavor to do in thank- { site. And when arrived, mark the hurrying, nofulness?

thought, silly, simpering process of the hours and Yet it is no ascetic devotion-no hermit's cell, that { days. It is an abomination to reason.

At this seathe reader would desire; but a familiar household, son the city droops for want of air; but here, in with early hours, and early walks, simple repasts, the breath of heaven, do they plume their wings, and work, and housekeeping performances, with and dedicate a temple to folly in the bosom of nanoonday lounging, and “looking on the Book," } ture!

Vol. VI-1