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indicate a buoyant and generous enthusiasm; a fertile, graphic fancy; sound and ardent affections; an exalted, heartfelt patriotism; a perennial spring of delicate sentiment, and an unlimited command and choice of expression. If he runs riot, it is always with vigour and elasticity; he is never uninteresting nor ungraceful, even in his wildest and most unseasonable flights. He has hardly a page which does not present some captivating image, or some felicity of language;-which has not an arriere-gout, a relish, of the most refined studies. His diction, however viciously redundant and figurative, cannot be denied the praise of elevation, elegance, and facility; and it is in general of a real richness and massiness which entitle us to apply to him what Dryden has said of Shakspeare-that if his embroideries were melted down, there would still be enough of sterling gold and silver at the bottom of the crucible.

Among the Essays of the Old Bachelor, are several comprising ingenious fictions, of which the style is every way appropriate and exemplary. We would instance the ninth, thirteenth, twentieth, and thirty-third numbers, so salutary at the same time in their moral. În like manner, in the biography of Henry, the elocution of the author, when he merely narrates the general events of the revolution, connected with his subject, and intermits the glorification of Virginia, is natural and chaste;-conspicuous, indeed, for all the best qualities happily tempered. We should do our duty still more imperfectly to the work under consideration, if we did not specify the fourteenth number, in which the characters of the office-hunter and demagogue are so fully and forcibly drawn. In the same paper is an account of lord Mansfield, of which the eloquence must be felt, and the drift applauded by every reader. We cannot forbear singling out again the thirty-third number, which we are inclined to view, on the whole, as the master-piece of the Old Bachelor. The dramatic energy and deep pathos of this composition, attest powers which would insure a brilliant career to him as a votary of the tragic muse.

Before we close this article, we will call the attention of the younger members of the profession of the law, to a circumstance which may not be without its efficacy in stimulating them to literary exertions. The author of the Essays is understood to be the gentleman who now fills, so worthily, the highest official post at the American bar; and if his well-earned literary reputation did not absolutely carry him thither, it doubtless smoothed the way to his elevation. It contributed principally to the universal and cheerful acquiescence in his appointment; it stifled the murmurs which the locality of the choice was fitted to excite, and which his acknowledged professional merits would have been insufficient to repress. We must, as deeply interested in the promotion of authorship, be permitted to hold out his personal example in another respect:We are convinced that his literary exercises administered largely to his excellence, and consequently to his fame, as an orator.

His case is an illustration of the maxim contained in the following passage of the first book of Cicero's treatise de Oratore.

'Quamobrem in istis ipsis exercitationibus, etsi utile est, etiam subito sæpe dicere, tamen illud utilius, paratius atque accuratius dicere. Caput autem est, quod (ut vere dicam) minime facimus: est enim magni laboris, quem plerique fugimus: quam plurimum scribere. STILUS OPTIMUS, ET PRAESTANTISSIMUS DICENDI EFFECTOR AC MAGISTER.' Although it is of great importance that a man should acquire an ease and quickness in speaking, yet it is of much greater that he should speak at once readily and correctly. To tell the truth, the chief point of all is what we very little practise; for it is difficult, and therefore commonly avoided,-I mean frequent compositions upon paper. THE PEN IS THE BEST, THE MOST EXCELLENT FORMER, AND DIRECTOR OF THE TONGUE.'

ART. II.-A Topographical description of the Province of Lower Canada, with remarks upon Upper Canada, and on the relative connexion of both Provinces with the United States of America. By Joseph Bouchette, Esq. Surveyor General of Lower Canada, and Lieutenant Colonel, C. M. Dedicated by permission to H. R. H. the Prince Regent. London, 1815.

FOR many years before the war of 1812, men of considerable

talents and information had, both in and out of Congress, accustomed themselves to speak with contempt of the barren fields and inhospitable climate of the Canadas. Blind to the circumstances which assimilate those provinces to the territory of the United States, and which necessarily produce the same consequences in the rapid development of the treasures of the soil and the increase of the population, they persisted in viewing the northern shores of the lakes and the banks of the St. Lawrence, as unsusceptible of those improvements which have taken place in the interior of our own country. Mr. Bouchette's official situation, and the high patronage under which his book is presented to the public, may be deemed sufficient vouchers for its exactness; it is doubly interesting, as it exhibits a detailed topographical description of Lower Canada, and as it dissipates the errors prevalent among our citizens on this subject. A province of the British empire which touches our frontier in an extent of 2000 miles, and which in the interval between the years 1775 and 1814, has seen its population augmented from 90,000 to 430,000 individuals, cannot be an object of indifference to its neighbours.

We regret to mect, in a work which professes to be purely topographical, with illiberal reflections on the subject of the United States. While the two countries were at war, policy might render the exaggeration of military successes and defeats excusable on either side. The official reports of belligerents have long been proverbially deceptive; they may give interest to the ephemeral columns of a gazette, and feed the curiosity of the inactive portion of the community; but the result of a campaign is the test of the

ability with which it has been conducted, and of the valour which those engaged in it have displayed; and it not unfrequently happens that the pompous account of a victory is only a veil to cover discomfiture and disgrace.

Mr. Bouchette's book contains local information, which must render it a valuable acquisition, not only to the proprietors and inhabitants of Lower Canada, but to all who wish to be acquainted with an interesting portion of the American continent. The author's reputation for truth and discretion, cannot, however, but suffer in the opinion of the candid and the well-informed, when they shall peruse his narrative of some of the military transactions in the year 1813. We particularly allude to the account given (p. 116, et seq:) of general Hampton's expedition on the Chateaugay river.

The Grande Isle divides the stream of the St. Lawrence into two channels; that on the south side is called the Beauharnois channel, in the course of which are the rapids Croche, les Faucilles, and de Bouleau; the latter both intricate and dangerous to pass. It was through this channel, with the view of avoiding the rapid and post of Coteau du Lac, then held by a British detachment, that the American general Wilkinson intended to conduct the army under his command, with the avowed object of invading Lower Canada. He was however prevented from carrying his design into execution, and the boasted superiority of his arms greatly diminished by the unexpected defeat of part of his force, by a much inferior number, at a place called Christler's Farm, in Upper Canada, on the 11th of November, 1813, which compelled him to a precipitate retreat, and to abandon the British territory, by recrossing the St. Lawrence, and ascending Salmon river, to a place called French Mills, within the American boundary; in which situation, owing to the panic which embarrassed all his operations, he deemed himself so unsafe, as to think it advisable to destroy all the boats and craft he had collected for carrying his plan into effect, and retire to a position more distant, or more secure from attack. This repulse in the attempt at invasion, was rendered decisive by the previous retreat, or rather complete defeat of a force amounting to 7000 men, under general Hampton that was intended to make a diversion in favor of Wilkinson, on the south western frontier. So sanguine were the expectations of success formed by these commanders, that a junction of their forces was contemplated at Montreal, where they promised themselves winter-quarters, and from whence in the next campaign, they calculated a victorious career was to be pursued. The battle of La Fourche or Chateaugay, that annihilated this visionary glory, was one of the singular events that cannot be taken into the ordinary calculations of military operations, and the circumstance of such a force being not only stopped in its progress, but obliged to retire by the exertions of a body of men not amounting in numerical strength, to a twentieth part of the assailants, must be a matter of admiration whenever it becomes the subject of professional reflection. This exploit, for it well deserves such a name, was achieved by one company of Canadian fencibles, two companies of Voltigeurs, some militia forces of different descriptions, with a few Indian auxiliaries, the whole numbering only 300 men, that formed the advance picquets of major general de Watteville's

chain of positions established towards the frontiers, and under the com mand of lieut. colonel de Salaberry of the Canadian Voltigeurs.'

Mr. Bouchette, continues his narrative by details in which time, situation and numbers are all equally misrepresented, and concludes with this modest sentence:

'On both these points,' (the two banks of the Chateaugay River,) ' although the Americans were several times repulsed, they repeatedly rallied and resumed the attack with no better success, until the close of day, when their commander, unable to make any impression upon the invincible bravery of a truly Spartan band, thought proper to withdraw from so unequal a contest, overwhelmed with defeat and disgrace.'!!!

From circumstances which it is here unnecessary to dwell upon, much obloquy was heaped upon the actors in that period of the war. The alarming aspect which American affairs assumed in the following year absorbed public attention in the U. States, and prevented inquiry into the events of the preceding campaign. The subject having thus unexpectedly been brought before us by Mr. B., we deem it a duty to rescue from misrepresentation the character of the American forces engaged in that expedition, and we pledge ourselves for the authenticity of the statement we shall now proceed to lay before our readers.

Major general Hampton's division, consisting of two brigades of infantry, one company of artillery, and one squadron of light dragoons, in the whole about 4000 men, was assembled in the middle of October, 1813, at the village of Chateaugay Four-Corners, situated four miles south of the Canada line. The first brigade, composed of the 4th, 33d, 34th Regts. and a battalion of Maine volunteers, was commanded by brigadier-general Thomas Parker; the 2d brigade, (the 10th, 29th, 30th, and 31st, Regts.) by brigadier general George Izard. The cavalry consisting of two incomplete troops of the 2d Regt. U. S. light dragoons and a small detachment of New-York volunteers under captain Yates, in all 150 men, was commanded by captain Hall. The artillery (eight six pounders and one five and a half inch howitzer) was under the orders of major Mac Rea of the U. S. engineers. From both brigades were drafted 700 men, who were formed into two battalions of light infantry, the first of which was commanded by major Snelling of the 4th, the second by major Wooll of the 29th.

This force was destined to co-operate with the army, under general Wilkinson, then preparing to descend the St. Lawrence, for the purpose of attacking Montreal. The mode in which this was to be effected does not appear to have been concerted with general Hampton; no correspondence seems to have existed between these two officers, and the latter received his orders directly from Mr. Secretary Armstrong. The following letter reached its destination on the 19th of October.

DEAR GENERAL,

Sackett's Harbour, Oct. 16, 1813.

Your favor of the 12th ult. has been handed to me by major Parker. The Niagara division has been slow in its movements. It has at length reached Henderson's Harbour, and moves this day to Grenadier Island, whither the division here is moving also. From this point, (Grenadier Island) we take our departure either for Kingston or for Montreal. The enemy broke up his positions before Fort George on the 9th, burned his surplus stores, arms, &c. and moved rapidly for Burlington Bay, which he reached on the 11th instant. Advices from the Bay of Canti state, that he is coming down to Kingston, and that his sick and convalescent, to the number of 1200, had already arrived there. He will bring with him about 1500 effectives, and thanks to the storm and our snail-like movements down the Lake, they will be there before we can reach it. The manœuvre intended is lost, so far as regards Kingston. What we now do against that place, must be done by hard blows and at some risk. The importance of the object may however justify the means. In the other case, (the immediate descent of the St. Lawrence,) the army will make its way to the Isle Perrot, whence we shall immediately open a communication with you. Under these circumstances you will approach the mouth of the Chateaugay or other point, which shall better favour our junction, and hold the enemy in check. Your known vigilance and skill make it unnecessary to suggest any measure of precaution against the enterprizes of the enemy, while you remain within stroke of him. The dragoons will cross the St. Lawrence near the Coteau de Lac. Yours, &c.

Major general Hampton.

JOHN ARMSTRONG.

Conformably with the above order, the principal part of the division, with the artillery and baggage, proceeded on the 21st of October into Lower Canada, by the main road on the banks of the river Chateaugay; while brigadier general Izard, with the dragoons, the light infantry and the 30th regiment, in all 1500 men, entered the enemy's territory, through a deep forest which was supposed to be occupied by the enemy's light troops, and after a fatiguing march of nine hours, during which they had to surmount the multiplied obstacles which had been prepared by felling trees at every swamp on the narrow path they were following, they reached at sun-set the bank of the Chateaugay river at a ford called Spears's. An advanced party of one subaltern and twenty-four men of Snelling's corps came upon a post of sixty or seventy Indians, whom they routed after a very short skirmish. The Indians made their escape, leaving four of their number killed; and several guards of militia which had been stationed at and near the ford, fled without firing a gun.-They left behind them thirtyseven muskets and fusils, some kegs of powder, several barrels of provisions and 115 blankets, with a variety of Indian ornaments. The Americans had two privates wounded.

On the morning of the 22d, parties were sent to reconnoitre the country, and in the evening the troops which had marched

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