erected against that river, its waters may be admitted into the canal, with out additional expense. There are required on the route between Rome and Schoharie creek, 45 bridges. four engineers on other parts of the line of the western canal, and one on the northern, neither of whom had time to level and survey that part of the line above mentioned; nor could they find a sixth engineer, who would undertake to finish the Mohawk route. But although they are prevented from submitting to the Legislature a report of this part of the line, with all that minuteness of detail which is exhibited in relation to other parts, yet they possess information which, for all general purposes, is equally satisfactory. This part of the line was formerly examined by Mr. Weston, an English engineer, and pronounced to be practicable without a very serious expense. It has also been heretofore twice levelled and surveyed by Mr. Benjamin Wright, in various ways, with the same result. The commissioners, therefore, confidently state, that the navigation may be continued from the Schoharie creek to the Hudson, by a canal along the valley of the Mohawk. The aggregate of all expenses on this section, is $1,090,603 'It may here be remarked, as a feature of the country traversed by this canal, not less favourable than the evenness of its surface, that, from three miles above the Little Falls of the Mohawk, westward for 240 miles, the route will not require the excavation of a single yard of any kind of rock. 'Mr. Broadhead's level approaches the Schoharie creek on its west side, at an elevation of about 22 feet above its surface. There are two modes of crossing this creek, either of which might be adopted. A dam may be made across the creek at A, (on Mr. Broadhead's map,) which shall raise the water 10 feet, when the canal may be let down by a lock, into the pond, which this dam will create, and a floating bridge may be stretched across it for a towing path. But it is believed, from the examinations and levels heretofore made between this creek and the Hudson river, that it would be the better mode to cross the creek on an aqueduct bridge, in order to keep up the line of level, with a view of passing the more easily two slaty ridges, four or five miles below Schenectady, near Alexander's mills. Should this plan be adopted, the bed of the creek, which is about 400 feet wide, should be increased to a width of 700 feet, so as to give the water an unobstructed passage under the aqueduct. This aqueduct may be composed of wood, supported by two abutments and sixteen piers of stone, each of which piers would oc- Add for general expenses, cupy about 10 feet of the width of the stream. 'The commissioners have not been able to procure a level and survey to be made from Schoharie creek to the Hudson. They had in their employ, This route, from Schoharie creek to the city of Albany, will comprehend a distance of 42 miles. It is proposed to give the canal on this route a fall of one inch in a mile. The whole descent in this route will be 286 feet. 'The expense, by a liberal calculation, may be estimated at $1,106,087 RECAPITULATION OF EXPENSES. From Lake Erie to a point 11 ta, neca river, 1,550,985 Seneca river to Rome, 853,186 Schoharie creek to Albany, In the aggregate, 1,090,603 1,106,027 75,000 $4,331,758 'But if the route south of the mountain ridge, in the country west of the Genesee river, is adopted, in preference to the northern route, then deducting $309,925 The aggregate of expense will be OF DISTANCES. $4,571,818 From Lake Erie to the point up the Tonnewan ta, Miles. Chains. 27 that it has been deemed unnecessary to enumerate them. But presuming that the benefits to be derived from a similar communication with Lake Champlain, are not fully understood or duly appreciated, the commissioners ask the indulgence of briefly pointing out a few of the most prominent of these benefits. 'That part of this State which is Tonnewanta to Seneca river, 136 2 contiguous to Lakes George and Seneca river to Rome, 77 Rome to Schoharie creek, 71 27 Schoharie creek to Albany, 42 The aggregate distance is OF RISE AND FALL. Champlain, abounds in wood, timber, masts, spars, and lumber of all kinds, which, transported by the Northern Canal, would find a profitable sale 353 29 along the Hudson and in the city of New-York, instead of being driven, as much of those articles have heretofore been, to a precarious market, by a long and hazardous navigation to Quebec. From Lake Erie to Seneca river, 'The average expense, per mile, of this canal, according to the foregoing estimates, taking the north route beyond the Genesee river, is a little more than $13,800' The above is a mere outline of the results at which the commissioners arrived, by processes of calculation which we have no room to exhibit. In regard to the canal from Lake Champlain to the Hudson, the Report of the commissioners commences with observing, that 'Some idea may be formed of the immense quantity of lumber which would be conveyed on the contemplated canal, from the following statement, made on the best authority, and which embraces only that small section of the northern part of this State, from whence the transportation is carried on to the city of New-York, or to intermediate markets. 'Within that tract of country, embracing the borders of Lake George, and the timber land north and west of the great falls in Luzerne, there are annually made, and transported to the south, two millions of boards and plank: one million feet of square timber, consisting of oak, white and yellow pine, besides dock logs, scantling, and other timber to a great amount. 'A considerable portion of the northern part of this State is rough and mountainous, and, in a great measure, unfit for agricultural improvements. These broken tracts are covered with The advantages which will result native forests, which, by the contemfrom the connexion of Lake Erie with plated canal, would furnish vast supthe navigable waters of the Hudson by plies of wood and lumber for many means of a canal, have been so frequent- years; and thus the great and inly elucidated, and are indeed so obvious creasing population which occupies to every one who possesses a correct the margin of the Hudson, would be geographical knowledge of the west, supplied with boards, plank, timber, fencing materials, and even fuel, with of a canal, would greatly enhance the less expense, than from any other value of the northern lands; it would quarter; while, at the same time, the save vast sums in the price of transpor lands to the north, considerable tracts of tation; it would open new and increas which belong to the people of this State, ing sources of wealth; it would divert would be greatly increased in value. from the province of Lower Canada, and turn to the south, the profits of the trade of Lake Champlain; and, by imparting activity and enterprize to agricultural, commercial, and mechanical pursuits, it would add to our industry and resources, and thereby augment the substantial wealth and prosperity of the state.' 'The mountains in the vicinity of Lakes George and Champlain produce a variety of minerals; among which are found, in inexhaustible quantities, the richest of iron ores. Several forges are in operation in the counties of Wash ington, Warren, Essex, and Clinton, the number of which may be indefinitely increased: and the iron which they produce is very little, if at all, inferior in quality to the best iron manufactured in the United States: nor can it be doubted that, after the completion of the contemplated canals, From Whitehall to the Hudthe middle and western part of this State would be furnished with this necessary article, on more advantageous terms than it can at present be procured. 'The inhabitants of a large tract of country on both sides of Lake Champlain, embracing a considerable portion of the state of Vermont, would find, by the northern canal, a permanent market in the city of New-York, or at intermediate places, for their pot and pearl ashes, and also for their surplus agricultural productions, from whence they would also be cheaply supplied with all the necessary articles of foreign growth. The iron of the northern part of this State, which at present is unwrought in the mine, and the fine marble of Vermont, which now lies useless in the quarry, would be converted to useful and ornamental purposes in the west in exchange for salt and gypsum; and thus the large sums which are annually sent abroad for the purchase of iron, of salt, and of gypsum, would be retained among our citizens, and added to the permanent wealth of the State. In short, the connexion of Lake Champlain with the Hudson, by means The route of this canal will be seen from the recapitulation of expenses, which is all we can venture to extract in relation to it. RECAPITULATION OF EXPENSES. son, $250,000 50,000 35,000 Dam, side cut, and other works 436,000 50,000 Total, $871,000 Whether the canal from Lake Champlain enters the Hudson at Fort Edward creek or at Moses' kiln, is not very material in the estimate of expense; and the commissioners wish to be explicitely understood, that they consider this question as still open, and as one which will require mature deliberation. It is ascertained that both routes are equally practicable.' An Act of the Legislature, passed on the 15th of April last, authorizes the immediate commencement of both these canals, under the direction of the commissioners;-the operations, on that towards Lake Erie, to be commenced by opening communications by canals and locks between the Mohawk and Seneca rivers. The Act pledges certain funds to the completion of these objects, empowers the commissioners to borrow money on in 1808, was $7,000, in 1809, $9,000, the credit thereof, and to impose and in 1810, $14,000, in 1811, $17,000,-levy assessments on lands and real estate lying along the rout of the canal; taxes steam boat passengers; and lays an excise upon the salt manufactured in the county of Onondaga; and appropriates the proceeds of these duties to the fund, &c. &c. in 1815, $25,000, and in 1816, exceeded $30,000. Should its receipts, continue to increase in the same ratio, for a few years, it will become a very lucrative stock. But no comparison can exist between the Middlesex canal, and either of those about to be conThe commissioners have, in conse- structed in this State. The canal from quence, issued proposals for a loan of Erie to the Hudson will be the tho$200,000, and announced their inten- rough-fare of a Continent. The tion of proceeding with the works dur- countries bordering on that inland sea, ing the ensuing summer. They have and the waters which flow into it, also solicited donations towards these would amply sustain more than ten objects, from those who are more im- times the present population of the mediately interested in their execution. Union; and the very section which These appeals to individual liberality, the canal traverses in this State, is, inhave not been in vain. Among the do- trinsically, more valuable than all nations received and acknowledged, is New England, exclusive of the Disone of 3000 acres of land in Steuben trict of Maine.* We should speak county, from John Greig, Esq. of with less confidence on this subject, Canandaigua, and one of 100,632 did we not speak from personal obseracres, in the county of Cataraugus, vation. The people of America are from the Holland Land Company. but beginning to comprehend the Such is the information we have capabilities of their situation, and to gleaned from the valuable documents understand the extent of their recontained in this publication which we sources. recommend to the attentive investigation of those who doubt the practicability, or profit, of the projected improvements. We will add one fact more, collected from the same source, which will tend to corroborate the faith of the wavering. The Middlesex canal, the most extensive artificial navigation in this country, which has so long disappointed the hopes of the sanguine, and which has been quoted by the timid as an example to deter from similar undertakings, is about to repay the perseverance of those who have adhered to its fortunes. The income from this canal So obvious, however, is the utility of these canals, that one of them was agitated by the British government whilst we were colonies, and Canada was in the possession of the French. Let us mete out to Great Britain the same policy, that she would have measured to France. Fas est ab hoste doceri. E. *So little is generally known of this fine and flourishing territory. (the District of nish the reader, that we speak seriously. Maine,) that we think it necessary to admo ART. 4. Irish Melodies, Gospel Melodies, and other Songs. By Thomas Moore. 12mo. pp. 185. Philadelphia, Published by Harrison Hall. THERE is a natural affinity he- resistible in their combination. At their infancy they were inseparable; but as in many other alliances, a strife for mastery, has weakened powers, ir sic as an accompaniment, but the latter, not satisfied with this condescension, began, at length, to look upon poetry ness of his conviviality become disgusting. Aware of this, he has availed himself of the suggestion of his own beautiful simile, and wreathed his shaft, like the sword of Harmodius, with myrtles. as an appendage. Such contradicto- style as of sentiment. It is this banery pretensions, necessarily, produced ful coalition which renders them so disunion; and for some centuries they dangerous. Stripped of his witcheries have rarely met. Advances have, of manner, the wantonness of his love however, gradually been making, of would seem gross, and the dissolutelate years, towards a reconciliation. Among those who have contributed to bring about a 'consummation so devoutly to be wished,' no one is so eminently entitled to our gratitude as Burns. He has adapted with such exquisite felicity his varied strains to But his ambition has not been satisthe characteristic airs of his country, fied with conferring an adventitious as to make the sound an echo to the dignity upon the lowest themes,- he sense.' When, in his despondent has aspired to degrade the most exaltmood, he strikes the deep sorrows ed. He has attempted to mimic the of his lyre,' a chord, in every breast, timbrel of Miriam, with the tinkling vibrates in unison. There is that pa- of the harp of Tara.' A sarcastic thos in his tenderness, which fancy as- critic has remarked upon the singular cribes to the tones of melancholy her- convenience of this melange, in enaself, when she 'pours through the bling such of our young ladies as are mellow horn, her pensive soul.' He charmed with these edifying strains, knows equally, how to dispel the sad. after melting in amorous ditties all ness he has created, when he address- a summer's day,' to cool their fancies es himself to the brisk awakening with a sacred song or two, fresh from viol.' the versatile muse of this disciple of David and Anacreon:' 6 But, however qualified Moore has adopted the hint from Burns, and applyed his plan to Ireland. He is, however, inferior, in every natu- To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, ral endowment, to his prototype. His Or with the tangles of Næara's hair, gaiety wants heart, and his grief the our poet cannot rise to 'the height of 'natural touch.' To this general re- this great argument.' He woos a God mark there are, nevertheless, conspicu- of ineffable perfections, in the same ous exceptions. Moore's first intro- meritricious numbers with which he duction to the public, was in a volume might hope to win an earthly fair. of licentious poems; which he had There is as broad a line of distinction yet the grace to publish under a feign- between sacred and amatory poetry, ed name,-unhappily, the only evi- as there is between devotion and lust; dence of his modesty we can collect and however, or by whomsoever, it from them. His next appearance, as may have been transgressed, it can we remember, was in the capacity of never be effaced. Yet there seems a translator of Anacreon. In his ver- strange disposition in the 'metre-balsion, or rather paraphrase, of this lad-mongers' of the day, to intrench prince of amatory bards, he has caught upon Sternhold and Hopkins, and all the poetry, and quite too much Tate and Brady. We are willing to of the philosophy of the original. He hail this as an evidence of an increashas since published, at intervals, the ing relish among them for the poetry pieces which compose this collection. One character pervades all his compositions, of whatever class, and indeed constitutes their essence, we allude to their voluptuousness, as well of Moore's Gospel Melodies,' 'Childe' Vol. No. 11. P of the Bible; and sincerely hope they may at last contract a fondness for its religion. But when we meet with such theology as is contained in 'Little' ་ |