their commander to the Indian village, lying on the river in the present township of Northampton in Portage county. As he approached the chasm, Brady, knowing that life or death was in the effort, concentrated his mighty powers and leaped the stream at a single bound. It so happened that, in the opposite cliff, the leap was favoured by a low place, into which he dropped, and grasping the bushes, he thus helped himself to ascend to the top of the cliff. The Indians, for a few moment, were lost in wonder and admiration, and before they had recovered their recol unbound. Previously to tying him to the stake, a large circle was formed around him, consisting of Indian men, women and children, dancing and yelling and uttering all manner of threats and abuse that their small knowledge of the English language could afford. The prisoner looked on these preparations of death, and on his savage foes, with a firm countenance and a steady eye, meeting all their threats with a truly savage fortitude. In the midst of their dancing and rejoicing, a squaw of one of their chiefs came near him with a child in her arms. Quick as thought, and with intuitive presence, he snatched it from her and threw it into the midst of the flames.lection, he was halfway up the side of the opposite Horrourstruck at the sudden outrage, the Indians hill, but still within reach of their rifles. They simultaneously rushed to rescue the infant from the could easily have shot him any moment before, but fire. In the midst of this confusion, Brady darted being bent on taking him alive, for torture, and to from the circle, overturning all that came in his way, glut their long delayed revenge, they forbore the use and rushed into the adjacent thickets with the Indi- of the rifle; but now seeing him likely to escape, ans at his heels. He ascended the steep side of they all fired upon him; one bullet wounded him' the present hill, amidst a shower of bullets, and severely, in the hip, but not so badly as to prevent darting down the opposite declivity, secreted himself his progress. The Indians having to make a conin the deep ravine and laurel thickets that abound siderable circuit before they could cross the stream, for several miles to the west of it. His knowledge Brady advanced a good distance ahead. His limb of the country and wonderful activity, enabled him was growing stiff from the wound and as the Indians to elude his enemies, and reach the settlements on gained on him, he made for the pond which bears the south of the Ohio river, which he crossed by his name, and plunged in, swam under water a conswimming. The hill near whose base this adven-siderable distance, and came up under the trunk of ture is said to have happened, still goes by his name, a large oak, which had fallen into the pond. This, and the incident is often referred to by the traveller, as the coach is slowly dragged up its side. Brady's Leap.-Captain Brady seems to have been as much the Daniel Boone of the northeast part of the valley of the Ohio, as the other was of the southwest, and the country is equally full of traditionary legends of his hardy adventures and hairbreadth escapes, although he has lacked a Flint to chronicle his fame, and transmit it to posterity in the glowing and beautiful language of that distinguished annalist of the West. From undoubted authority, it seems the following incident actually transpired in this vicinity: although leaving only a small breathing place to support life, still completely sheltered him from their sight. The Indians tracing him by the blood to the water, made diligent search all round the pond, but finding no signs of his exit, finally came to the conclusion that he had sunk and was drowned. As they were at one time standing on the very tree beneath which he was concealed, Brady understanding their language was very glad to hear the result of their deliberations, and after they had gone, weary, lame, and hungry, he made good his retreat to his own home. His followers, also, returned in safety. The chasm across which he leaped is in sight of the bridge where we crossed the Cuyahoga and is known in all that region, by the name of "Brady's Leap." Silliman's Journal THE PITCHER-PLANT. Brady's residence was on Chartier's creek, on the south side of the Ohio, as before noted; and being a man of Herculean strength, courage, and activity, he was generally selected as the leader of the hardy borderers in all their incursions into the Indian territory north of the river. On this occasion, which was about the year 1780, a large party of warriours from the falls of the Cuyahoga, and the adjacent country, had made an inroad on the south side of the Ohio river, in the lower part of what is now Washington county, but which was then known as the settlement of "Catfish camp," after an old Indian of that name, who lived there when the whites first came into the country, on the Monongahela Being the inhabitant of a tropical climate, and river. This party had murdered several families, found on the most stony and arid situations, Nature and with the plunder had recrossed the Ohio before has furnished it with the means of an ample supply effectual pursuit could be made. By Brady, a party of moisture, without which it would wither and per THERE is not, perhaps, among the numerous examples that occur of the provident economy of Nature in the vegetable part of the creation, a more remarkable instance of contrivance adapted to circumstances, or of means suited to the end, than that which is displayed in this wonderful plant, the Nepenthes distillatoria, or pitcher-plant. was directly summoned, of his chosen followers, ish. To the footstalk of each leaf, and near the who hastened on after them; but the Indians having base, is attached a small bag, shaped like a pitcher, one or two days the start, he could not overtake them of the same consistence and colour of the leaf in the in time to arrest their return to their villages. Near the spot where the town of Ravena now stands, the Indians separated into two parties, one, of which went to the north, and the other west, to the falls of the Cuyahoga. Brady's men also divided; a part pursued the northern trail, and a part went with early stage of its growth, but changing with age to a reddish-purple; it is girt round with an oblique band or hoop, and covered with a lid neatly fitted, and moveable on a kind of hinge or strong fibre, which, passing over the handle, contracts the vessel with the leaf. By the construction of this fibre the [The Pitcher-plant.] along the side of a steep hill, climbing nearly to the top, where a bench stands in the shade, before a door in the rock. We sat down to become perfectly cool before entering, while the guide unlocked the door, produced candles and matches, and made his preparations, and here our party completed their equipments; M. and myself laid aside our bonnets, and Mr. S. gallantly made turbans for our heads of coloured handkerchiefs. R. tied his handkerchief over his shoulders in the fashion of a cloak. The guide gave each a candlestick formed of a curved sheet of tin to protect the eyes from the light. We surveyed ourselves in the polished mirrors they afforded, and then entered one by one. I cannot follow our course, for we went up and down, through a narrow, slippery passage, our overshoes often adhering to the clay of the floor. We passed through openings just large enough to admit us stooping to the very earth, and then stood in halls more than fifty feet high. Now we descended on narrow steep ladders, and then climbed piles of rocks, or made a circuit to avoid falling into some deep pit. A map of the cave resembles somewhat the chain of lakes on our Northern boundary, repeated several times. But let me try to systematize. The first object that attracted our attention was the wall of the passage set thick with rugged stalactites. It was a close heavy fringe, covering roof and sides like long icicles, and here let me remark that these formations have not the brilliancy usually ascribed to them except when examined closely with candles. When the light is held behind them they are seen to be transparent and of a rich flame colour. As we passed on, we found the shapes and dispositions of these formations infinitely varied-sometimes they hung in long pointed leaves, depending to the floor, and sometimes in graceful folds like drapery. Our guide conducted us into an opening called the musick room, and striking the columns drew from one spot the sound of a heavy drum, from another, that of a tambarine, and from some small tubes an excellent imitation of the Pandean pipes. Farther on, he struck the rocks with a staff and the whole apartment vibrated under the heavy gong; the sound was so deafening that we held our hands over our ears for pain. We next entered what is called the ballroom, from having been occasionally used for that purpose; it is wide and high, and the dim light of our scattered candles made it seem vast. As we passed out of it and groped our way onward, sweet distant sounds seemed to glide before us, sometimes distinct, and again seemingly lost in some deep cavern beneath or floating through the arches above us. It was our guide's companion, who had preceded us with a flute. We descended a natural stair called Jacob's ladder; this and many other passes are narrow and difficult, and all who attempt them must depend entirely on their own exertions and WE awoke refreshed after the fatigue of our visit strength, as no one can assist another with safety. to the Natural bridge, and ready to continue our Here in odd conjunction with the leaning tower of pilgrimage to the shrine of all-wonderful nature. Pisa, and Cleopatra's needle, are Jefferson's hall, Our drive to Staunton was without incident, and Congress hall, and Washington hall. This last early the next day, we took a comfortable carriage apartment filled me with awe from the vastness for the cavern ten miles from that place. Nothing which belonged to it in that imperfect light. It on the way indicated the existence of such a place, rises far above the rays of the candles, and is lost and when we reached the little inn kept by the guide, I could have found it in my heart to doubt. We made our toilet for the occasion, and proceeded lid is drawn open whenever the weather is showery or dews fall, which would appear to be just the contrary of what usually happens in Nature, though the contraction is probably occasioned by the hot and dry atmosphere, and the expansion of the fibre does not take place till the moisture has fallen and saturated the pitcher. When this is the case the cover falls down and closes so firmly as to prevent any evaporation from taking place. The water being gradually absorbed through the handle into the footstalk, gives vigour to the leaf and sustenance to the plant. As soon as the pitchers are exhausted, the lids again open to admit whatever moisture may fall, and when the plant has produced its seed and the dry season sets in, it withers, and all the covers of the pitchers stand open. Can any thing more than the mechanism of this singular production, evince the Divine benevolence. AMERICAN CAVERNS. WYER'S CAVE, STAUNTON, VA. [Extract from a Journal kept on a Tour from Charleston, South Carolina to New York.] in black obscurity. The candle of the guide at the opposite end of it, seemed to us a mere point of light. Near the centre stands a colossal stalagmite, so like tume, paraded the streets, with flags of gold and sil-~ ver tissue, velvet, and rich silks, the involuntary donation of the despised Jews, who are also compelled to defray the expenses of the races. It is said that in former times they were compelled to race themselves for the amusement of their more favoured fellow-beings, but are now indulged with the privilege of substituting horses. a statue wrapped in drapery, that one can hardly prescribed these fasts as a part of the regimen dispel the illusion; this is Washington at a distance; necessary in this warm region, as well as from reli approach it, and it becomes a shapeless mass of gious views. The following description of the carstone, dripping muddy water. Lady Washington's nival at Rome, is from an eyewitness apartment boasts a mirror, fringed hangings, and For a long time previous, preparations were going countless folds of drapery. The guide placed his on for this famous festival-masks were displayed light behind these stone curtains, and showed us as at every shop, and masquerade-dresses of every he said "not only a hem but a border." The tower form and fashion, adorned the heads of the giddy of Babel is a large circular rock, with a fluted sur-throng, for many days before its commencement. face, looking like columns bound together. Solo- On Friday, men mounted on horses in showy cosmon's throne is a lofty chair with steps and a cushion, though I must confess it needs something from the fancy. Objects of interest are found at every step-figures of animals, birds, trees, human features and even profiles stand as memorials of nature's freakish moods, and the grotesque shapes in which no resemblance to particular things may be traced, are found hanging and standing and lying about in wild gracefulness, like the tracery of frost executed On Saturday, at about two o'clock, the great bell in stone. We had a delicious draught of cool water of the capitol announced the commencement of the which falls in drops from the rock; some thoughtful sport; the Corso was already filled with coaches, mortal has placed beneath it a vessel fashioned in and persons on foot of every nation under the sun, the world above, that wearied pilgrims may be re- but the masks were few. Some ceremonies I unfreshed. But the darkness, the stillness, and the derstood went on at the capitol, which I did not witecho that every sound calls forth, in this subterrane-ness, in which a deputation of the Jews, formally ous world, were to us most striking; they gave the petitioned the governour of the city, for permision to scene its sublimity, though the impression is strange- remain in it another year, which he grants on conly at variance with the minute examination of perpet-dition of their paying the costs of the races, &c. ually-changing objects, and the frequent discovery The military paraded the Corso with much display, of ludicrous caricatures. Our guide awakened the and soon after, the governour and senator (Rome echoes by a song, to which his fine voice gave full has but one now) swept through it in a pompous effect, and Mr. S. stunned us by firing the pistol. procession of gilded coaches, decked out in all the The pistol! if this companion of our journey has not frippery of bad taste, and glitter of real gold and brass. before received its due notice, let it be here recorded It added, however, as much to the show as harlethat its one effort was not to die away in sound. We quins' many-coloured jackets, or Pulcinello's long were tired enough when our guide announced the nose and pot of macaroni. These ended, the fun end; but all our steps were to be retraced before and merriment commenced; showers of sugar-nuts we could rest. Our candles were burned low, and (made for the purpose of plaster, and an apology for the fearful thought of being left in darkness in such sugar) were exchanged by those in coaches as they a place suggested itself, not as a thing to be appre-passed-a general pelting from the windows, and hended, for we knew that our guide had provided those on foot, presented a scene of confusion and against such misfortune, but as the climax of all childish gayety, that, as absurd as it appeared, roused possible horrours. To increase the effect, we were listening to a tale from the guide, of a foreigner to whom it once happened, and whose guide found the way out, after hours of peril. At last, we saw gleams of pale light beginning to contend with the red glare. The effect of suddenly emerging into daylight, after three hours in the cave was strange enough, and resuming the temperature of the world without was as uncomfortable as singular. Worn out as we were, we could not avoid laughing at our plight, covered as we stood with a plaster of red mud over our strange attire. Southern Rose. THE CARNIVAL AT ROME. THE same views which led men to propitiate the higher invisible powers by gifts, sacrifices, and purifications, also introduced fasts, abstinence from pleasure, and penances. By fasts is meant an abstinence from the usual means of nourishment, in order to mortify the appetites, and thereby to propitiate the Deity. In every nation of importance, customs of this kind are found. Their historical origin is in the religious customs of the East, where the priests were originally the physicians of the people, and up the dullest spirit to the sport, and, filling my pock- At the sound of the trumpet, fifteen or sixteen ponies made their appearance, with grooms at their heads dressed in all the extravagance of finery peculiar to the Roman peasants, who with difficulty could arrange the animals against a rope stretched across the street. At a signal given, it dropped and away they went like lightning, dashing up the Corso as if a thousand furies were at their heels. Leaden balls, suspended by strings and filled with needles, [Piazza del Popolo.] lashed their sides, and the rattle of sheets of tinsel, and fire-crackers, let off at the moment of starting, and the shouts of the crowd, as they closed in behind them, spurred them forward, with the swiftness of the wind. They ran to the end of the street, about a mile, and were then stopped, by a large canvass, extended across the way, with the exception of three, who did not seem to relish the joke, and using their heels in the wrong way, were, with difficulty secured. More than one fell exhausted with fright and exertion; others bolted in spite of shouts and soldiers, and not half the number reached the goal. The races were repeated every day of the carnival, about sunset, and with little variation. On Tuesday, there was a masquerade-ball at one of the theatres. For this purpose, the pit was covered over, and the whole establishment thrown open. One is not compelled to wear a mask, or go in costume. If they please, they may be mere lookers-on, or join in the revelry, to their heart's content, and soon, in spite of prejudices, and the consciousness of its absurdity, they are drawn into the whirl. Some VOL. IV.-47 of the costumes, were badly put together, made up of pasteboards, and glazed muslin, and would have done discredit to the wardrobe of a strolling mountebank; many were beautiful, in good taste, and costly. There were harlequins cutting their odd tricks, clown playing off their buffooneries, and columbines their witcheries; the Roman emperour strutted arm-in-arm, with the sprightly trasteverina, or stately Albaneza; the long-bearded, turbaned Turk, with his face of gravity; the fop of fifty years ago, and the exquisite of the present day-the mad poet, the quack doctor, with a remedy for every disease, in the shape of an instrument, of most unquestionable form and character. There were scores of fag-end nobility, caricatured to perfection-in short, a little of every thing that the world is made of, travestied, except the priesthood-it is the only forbidden ground. There were many in costume, though not in masks. The Hungarian mountain girl, and the lovely young Greek, who, that night wore their national costume, will long be remembered-by one at least upon whose arm they leaned. |