Had not some Pow'r, a Whig at heart, Descended down and took their part; 350 (Whether 'twere Pallas, Mars, or Iris, 'Tis scarce worth while to make inquiries) 355 Who at the nick of time alarming, Late used to set their pole in ground, Advanced tremendous to the field: 365 Of stones and clubs had braved th' alarms, Shrunk from these new Vulcanian arms. The spade so temper'd from the sledge, Nor keen nor solid harm'd its edge, Now met it, from his arm of might 385 Descending with steep force to smite; The blade snapp'd short-and from his hand, With rust embrown'd the glittering sand. Swift turn'd M'Fingal at the view, 396 Like rider that outgoes his horse, near: Then stopp'd and seized a stone, that lay 410 An ancient landmark near the way. And giants exiled with their cronies 415 420 Stretch'd on the ground his manly length. Like ancient oak, o'erturn'd he lay, Or flow'r the plow to dust consigns, And more things else but all men know 'em, If slightly versed in epic poem. 436 440 Nor cut your poles down while I've breath, Though raised more thick than hatchelteeth: But leave King George and all his elves To do their conq'ring work themselves." This said, they lower'd him down in 475 state, Spread at all points, like falling cat; But took a vote first on the question, That they'd accept this full confession, And to their fellowship and favor, Restore him on his good behavior. 480 Not so our 'Squire submits to rule, But stood, heroic as a mule. "You'll find it all in vain," quoth he, "To play your rebel tricks on me. All punishments the world can render Serve only to provoke th' offender; 486 The will gains strength from treatment horrid, As hides grow harder when they're cur With less profusion once was spread And cover'd all his outward man. The river, from their fountains fed, 550 Pour'd down his back its copious tide, And wore its channels in his hide: So from the high-raised urn the torrents Spread down his side their various currents; His flowing wig, as next the brim, 555 Till, all o'erspread with colors gay, 590 In triumph to his country seat: 600 But though his body lack'd physician, As men in jail without mainprize 1 625 Saw all the coming scenes of war. His tarr'd skirts crack'd, and thus he utter'd: "Ah, Mr. Constable, in vain We strive 'gainst wind and tide and rain! 640 HECTOR ST. JOHN DE CREVECŒUR (1731-1813) LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN FARMER WHAT IS AN AMERICAN? I wish I could be acquainted with the feelings and thoughts which must agitate the heart and present themselves to the mind of an enlightened Englishman, when he first lands on this continent. He must greatly rejoice that he lived at a time to see this fair country discovered and settled; he must necessarily feel a share of national. pride, when he views the chain of settlements which embellishes these extended shores; when he says to himself, this is the work of my countrymen, who, when convulsed by factions, afflicted by a variety of miseries and wants, restless and impatient, took refuge here. They brought along with them their national genius, to which they principally owe what liberty they enjoy, and what substance they possess. Here he sees the industry of his native country displayed in a new manner, and traces in their works the embryos of all the arts, sciences, and ingenuity, which flourish in Europe. Here he beholds fair cities, substantial villages, extensive fields, an immense country filled with decent houses, good roads, orchards, meadows, and bridges, where an hundred years ago all was wild, woody, and uncultivated! What a train of pleasing ideas this fair spectacle must suggest; it is a prospect which must inspire a good citizen with the most heartfelt pleasure. The difficulty consists in the manner of viewing so extensive a scene. He is arrived on a new continent; a modern society offers itself to his contemplation, different from what he had hitherto seen. It is not composed, as in Europe, of great lords who possess every thing, and of a herd of people who have nothing. Here are no aristocratical families, no courts, no kings, lakes replenished with inland nations, nor the unknown bounds of North America entirely peopled. Who can tell how far it extends? Who can tell the millions of men whom it will feed and contain? For no European foot has as yet travelled half the extent of this mighty continent! no bishops, no ecclesiastical dominion, for himself. If he travels through our 50 The next wish of this traveller will be to know whence came all these people. ple. They are a mixture of English, Scotch, Irish, French, Dutch, Germans, and Swedes. From this promiscuous breed, that race now called Americans have arisen. The eastern provinces must indeed be excepted, as being the unmixed descendents of Englishmen. I have heard many wish that they had been more intermixed also. For my better as it has happened. They exhibit a most conspicuous figure in this great and variegated picture; they too enter for a great share in the pleasing perspective displayed in these thirteen provinces. I know it is fashionable to reflect on them, but I respect them for what they have done; for the accuracy and wisdom with which they have settled their territory; for the decency of their manners; for their early love of letters; their ancient college,1 the first in this hemisphere; for their industry, which to me who am but a farmer, is the criterion of everything. There never was a people, situated as they are, who with so ungrateful a soil have done more in so short a time. Do you think that the monarchical ingredients which are more prevalent in other governments, have purged them from all foul stains? Their histories assert the contrary. In this great American asylum, the poor of Europe have by some means met together, and in consequence of various causes; to what purpose should they ask one another what countrymen they are? Alas, two thirds of them had no country. Can a wretch who wanders about, who works and starves, whose life is a continual scene of sore affliction or pinching penury-can that 1 Harvard |