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re…side of his host； which the latter would perhaps conceal from the ear of friendship； he consoles himself with his guest for the silence to which he is restricted； and the shortness of the traveller's stay takes away all fear of his indiscretion。 I carefully noted every conversation of this nature as soon as it occurred； but these notes will never leave my writing…case； I had rather injure the success of my statements than add my name to the list of those strangers who repay the generous hospitality they have received by subsequent chagrin and annoyance。
I am aware that； notwithstanding my care； nothing will be easier than to criticise this book； if anyone ever chooses to criticise it。 Those readers who may examine it closely will discover the fundamental idea which connects the several parts together。 But the diversity of the subjects I have had to treat is exceedingly great； and it will not be difficult to oppose an isolated fact to the body of facts which I quote； or an isolated idea to the body of ideas I put forth。 I hope to be read in the spirit which has guided my labors； and that my book may be judged by the general impression it leaves； as I have formed my own judgment not on any single reason； but upon the mass of evidence。 It must not be forgotten that the author who wishes to be understood is obliged to push all his ideas to their utmost theoretical consequences； and often to the verge of what is false or impracticable； for if it be necessary sometimes to quit the rules of logic in active life； such is not the case in discourse； and a man finds that almost as many difficulties spring from inconsistency of language as usually arise from inconsistency of conduct。
I conclude by pointing out myself what many readers will consider the principal defect of the work。 This book is written to favor no particular views； and in composing it I have entertained no designs of serving or attacking any party； I have undertaken not to see differently； but to look further than parties； and whilst they are busied for the morrow I have turned my thoughts to the Future。
Chapter I： Exterior Form Of North America
Chapter Summary
North America divided into two vast regions； one inclining towards the Pole； the other towards the Equator … Valley of the Mississippi … Traces of the Revolutions of the Globe … Shore of the Atlantic Ocean where the English Colonies were founded … Difference in the appearance of North and of South America at the time of their Discovery … Forests of North America … Prairies …Wandering Tribes of Natives … Their outward appearance； manners； and language … Traces of an unknown people。
Exterior Form Of North America
North America presents in its external form certain general features which it is easy to discriminate at the first glance。 A sort of methodical order seems to have regulated the separation of land and water； mountains and valleys。 A simple； but grand； arrangement is discoverable amidst the confusion of objects and the prodigious variety of scenes。 This continent is divided； almost equally； into two vast regions； one of which is bounded on the north by the Arctic Pole； and by the two great oceans on the east and west。 It stretches towards the south； forming a triangle whose irregular sides meet at length below the great lakes of Canada。 The second region begins where the other terminates； and includes all the remainder of the continent。 The one slopes gently towards the Pole； the other towards the Equator。
The territory comprehended in the first region descends towards the north with so imperceptible a slope that it may almost be said to form a level plain。 Within the bounds of this immense tract of country there are neither high mountains nor deep valleys。 Streams meander through it irregularly： great rivers mix their currents； separate and meet again； disperse and form vast marshes； losing all trace of their channels in the labyrinth of waters they have themselves created； and thus； at length； after innumerable windings； fall into the Polar Seas。 The great lakes which bound this first region are not walled in； like most of those in the Old World； between hills and rocks。 Their banks are flat； and rise but a few feet above the level of their waters； each of them thus forming a vast bowl filled to the brim。 The slightest change in the structure of the globe would cause their waters to rush either towards the Pole or to the tropical sea。
The second region is more varied on its surface； and better suited for the habitation of man。 Two long chains of mountains divide it from one extreme to the other； the Alleghany ridge takes the form of the shores of the Atlantic Ocean； the other is parallel with the Pacific。 The space which lies between these two chains of mountains contains 1；341；649 square miles。 *a Its surface is therefore about six times as great as that of France。 This vast territory； however； forms a single valley； one side of which descends gradually from the rounded summits of the Alleghanies； while the other rises in an uninterrupted course towards the tops of the Rocky Mountains。 At the bottom of the valley flows an immense river； into which the various streams issuing from the mountains fall from all parts。 In memory of their native land； the French formerly called this river the St。 Louis。 The Indians； in their pompous language； have named it the Father of Waters； or the Mississippi。
＇Footnote a： Darby's 〃View of the United States。〃＇
The Mississippi takes its source above the limit of the two great regions of which I have spoken； not far from the highest point of the table…land where they unite。 Near the same spot rises another river； *b which empties itself into the Polar seas。 The course of the Mississippi is at first dubious： it winds several times towards the north； from whence it rose； and at length； after having been delayed in lakes and marshes； it flows slowly onwards to the south。 Sometimes quietly gliding along the argillaceous bed which nature has assigned to it； sometimes swollen by storms； the Mississippi waters 2；500 miles in its course。 *c At the distance of 1；364 miles from its mouth this river attains an average depth of fifteen feet； and it is navigated by vessels of 300 tons burden for a course of nearly 500 miles。 Fifty…seven large navigable rivers contribute to swell the waters of the Mississippi； amongst others； the Missouri； which traverses a space of 2；500 miles； the Arkansas of 1；300 miles； the Red River 1；000 miles； four whose course is from 800 to 1；000 miles in length； viz。； the Illinois； the St。 Peter's； the St。 Francis； and the Moingona； besides a countless multitude of rivulets which unite from all parts their tributary streams。
＇Footnote b： The Red River。＇
＇Footnote c： Warden's 〃Description of the United States。〃＇ The valley which is watered by the Mississippi seems formed to be the bed of this mighty river； which； like a god of antiquity； dispenses both good and evil in its course。 On the shores of the stream nature displays an inexhaustible fertility； in proportion as you recede from its banks； the powers of vegetation languish； the soil becomes poor； and the plants that survive have a sickly growth