The principal ones are, the St. Louis, the Nipigon, the Pic, and the Michipicoten. Indeed, the extent of country from which any of them flow, or take their course, in any direction, cannot admit of it, in consequence of the ridge of land that separates them from the rivers that empty themselves into Hudson's Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, and the waters that fall in Lake Michegan, which afterwards become a part of the St. Laurence.

• This vast collection of water is often covered with fog, particularly when the wind is from the east, which, driving against the high barren rocks on the north and west shore, dissolves in torrents of rain. It is very generally said, that the storms on this lake are denoted by a swell on the preceding day; but this circumstance did not appear from my observation to be a regular phænomenon, as the swells more frequently subsided without any subsequent wind.

6

Along the surrounding rocks of this immense lake, evident marks appear of the decrease of its water, by the lines observable along them. The space, however, between the highest and the lowest is not so great as in the smaller lakes, as it does not amount to more than six feet, the former being very faint.

The inhabitants that are found along the coast of this water are all of the Algonquin nation, the whole of which do not exceed 150 families.

These people live chiefly on fish: indeed, from what has been said of the country, it cannot be expected to abound in animals, as it is totally destitute of that shelter which is so necessary to them. The rocks appear to have been over-run by fire; and the stunted". timber, which once grew there, is frequently seen lying along the surface of them: but it is not easy to be reconciled, that any thing should grow where there is so little appearance of soil. Between the, fallen trees there are briars, with hurtleberry and gooseberry bushes, raspberries, &c. which invite the bears in greater or lesser numbers, as they are a favourite food of that animal; beyond these rocky banks are found a few moose and fallow deer. The waters alone are abundantly inhabited.

A very curious phænomenon was observed some years ago at the Grand Portage, for which no obvious cause could be assigned. The water withdrew with great precipitation, leaving the ground dry that had never before been visible, the fall being equal to four perpendicular feet, and rushing back with great velocity above the common mark. It continued thus falling and rising for several hours, gradually decreasing till it stopped at its usual height. There is frequently an irregular influx and deflux, which does not exceed ten inches, and is attributed to the wind.' P. xli.

The description of the country round Lake Winipic, and the rivers that arise from thence, are very interesting; as we have. asserted that this would probably be the commercial depot, could the trade of this country ever greatly flourish.

The country, soil, produce, and climate, from Lake Superior to this place bear a general resemblance, with a predominance of rock and water; the former is of the granite kind. Where there is any

.

soil, it is well covered with wood, such as oak, elm, ash of different kinds, maple of two kinds, pines of various descriptions, among which are what I call the cypress, with the hickory, iron-wood, liard, poplar, cedar, black and white birch, &c. &c. Vast quantities of wild rice are seen throughout the country, which the natives collect in the month of August for their winter stores. To the north of fifty degrees it is hardly known, or at least does not come to maturity.

Lake Winipic is the great reservoir of several large rivers, and discharges itself by the River Nelson into Hudson's Bay, The first in rotation, next to that I have just described, is the Assiniboin, or Red River, which, at the distance of forty miles coastwise, disembogues on the south-west side of the Lake Winipic. It alternately receives those two denominations from its dividing, at the distance of about thirty miles from the lake, into two large branches. The eastern branch, called the Red River, runs in a southern direction to near the head waters of the Mississippi. On this are two trading establishments. The country on either side is but partially supplied with wood, and consists of plains covered with herds of the buffalo and the elk, especially on the western side. On the eastern side are lakes and rivers, and the whole country is well wooded, level, abounding in beaver, bears, moose-deer, fallow-deer, &c. &c. The natives, who are of the Algonquin tribe, are not very numerous, and are considered as the natives of Lake Superior. This country being near the Mississippi, is also inhabited by the Nadawasis, who are the natural enemies of the former; the head of the water being the warline, they are in a continual state of hostility; and though the Algonquins are equally brave, the others generally out-number them: it is very probable, therefore, that if the latter continue to venture out of the woods, which form their only protection, they will soon be extirpated. There is not, perhaps, a finer country in the world for the residence of uncivilised man than that which occupies the space between this river and Lake Superior. It abounds in every thing necessary to the wants and comforts of such a people. Fish, venison, and fowl, with wild rice, are in great plenty; while, at the same time, their subsistence requires that bodily exercise so necessary to health and vigour.

This great extent of country was formerly very populous; but, from the information I received, the aggregate of its inhabitants does not exceed three hundred warriors; and, among the few whom I saw, it appeared to me that the widows were more numerous than the men. The rackoon is a native of this country, but is seldom found to the northward of it.

The other branch is called after the tribe of the Nadawasis, who here go by the name of Assiniboins, and are the principal inhabitants of it. It runs from off the north-north-west, and, in the latitude of 51 west, and longitude 103, rising in the same mountains as the River Dauphin, of which I shall speak in due order. They must have separated from their nation at a time beyond our knowledge, and liy in peace with the Algonquins and Knisteneaux.

The country between this and the Red River is almost a continual plain to the Missisoury. The soil is sand and gravel, with a

slight intermixture of earth, and produces a short grass. Trees are very rare; nor are there on the banks of the river sufficient, except in particular spots, to build houses and supply fire-wood for the trading establishments, of which there are four principal ones. Both these rivers are navigable for canoes to their source, without a fall; though in some parts there are rapids, caused by occasional beds of lime-stone and gravel; but in general they have a sandy bottom.' P.lxi.

We need scarcely remind the reader, that the distance from Lake Winipic to the Missisoury, and the source of the Mississippi, is comparatively inconsiderable; that an open river, the Red River, passes through almost the whole interval; that its connexion with Upper Canada, by means of the lakes, and with Hudson's Bay, through Port Nelson River, render it a very desirable settlement; while on the south and west the country is probably encumbered with hills or woods till it reaches Mexico. The following picturesque description of a beautiful scene in the higher grounds of the centre of America is truly impressive.

"The Portage la Loche is of a level surface, in some parts abound. ing with stones; but in general it is an entire sand, and covered with the cypress, the pine, the spruce fir, and other trees natural to its soil. Within three miles of the north-west termination there is a small round lake, whose diameter does not exceed a mile, and which affords a trifling respite to the labour of carrying. Within a mile of the termination of the Portage is a very steep precipice, whose ascent and descent appears to be equally impracticable in any way, as it consists of a succession of eight hills, some of which are almost perpendicular; nevertheless, the Canadians contrive to surmount all these difficulties, even with their canoes and lading.

This precipice, which rises upwards of a thousand feet above the plain beneath it, commands a most extensive, romantic, and ravishing prospect. From thence the eye looks down on the course of the little river, by some called the Swan River, and by others the Clear Water and Pelican River, beautifully meandering for upwards of thirty miles. The valley, which is at once refreshed and adorned by it, is about three miles in breadth, and is confined by two lofty ridges of equal height, displaying a most delightful intermixture of wood and lawn, and stretching on till the blue mist obscures the prospect. Some parts of the inclining heights are covered with stately forests, relieved by promontories of the finest verdure, where the elk and buffalo find pasture. These are contrasted by spots where fire has destroyed the woods, and left a dreary void behind it. Nor, when I beheld this wonderful display of uncultivated nature, was the moving scenery of human occupation wanting to complete the picture. From this elevated situation, I beheld my people, diminished, as it were, to half their size, employed in pitching their tents in a charming meadow, and among the canoes, which, being turned upon their sides, presented their reddened bottoms in contrast with the surrounding verdure. At the same time, the process of gumming them

produced numerous small spires of smoke, which, as they rose, enlivened the scene, and at length blended with the larger columns that ascended from the fires where the suppers were preparing. It was in the month of September when I enjoyed a scene, of which I do not presume to give an adequate description; and as it was the rutting season of the elk, the whistling of that animal was heard in all the variety which the echoes could afford it.

This river, which waters and reflects such enchanting scenery, runs, including its windings, upwards of eighty miles, when it discharges itself in the Elk River, according to the denomination of the natives, but commonly called by the white people, the Athabasca River, in latitude 56° 42" north.' P. lxxxv.

The accounts of the Knisteneaux and Chipewyan Indians are curious, but offer nothing that we can properly select. They are tribes of Americans, with shades of difference both in appearance and manners from the aboriginal inhabitants of the northern parts of the continent.

We shall return to these journeys in another article;-for what we have now selected, as will be obvious, is from the Account of the Fur-Trade.'

(To be continued.)

ART. II.-Account of the Life and Writings of William Robertson, D.D. F.R.S. E. &. Read before the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 8vo. 5s. Boards. Cadell and Davies. 1801.

THIS pleasing and intelligent performance is introduced by the following advertisement.

The principal authorities for the biographical details in the following pages were communicated to me by Dr. Robertson's eldest son, Mr. William Robertson, advocate. To him I am indebted, not only for the original letters with which he has enabled me to gratify the curiosity of my readers, but for every other aid which he could be prompted to contribute, either by regard for his father's memory, or by friendship for myself.

My information with respect to the earlier part of Dr. Robertson's life was derived almost entirely from one of his oldest and most valued friends, the Rev. Dr. Carlyle of Inveresk.

It is proper for me to add, that this Memoir was read at different meetings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh; and was destined for a place in their Transactions. The length to which it has extended, suggested the idea of a separate publication, and the addi tion of an Appendix.

During the long interval which has elapsed since it was com posed, a few sentences have been occasionally inserted, in which a reference is made to later criticisms on Dr. Robertson's writings. I

mention this circumstance, in order to account for some slight anachronisms.

College of Edinburgh, 16th May, 1801.

DUGALD STEWART.'

We shall not attempt to forestall the reader's gratification in the perusal, by giving a regular abstract of the life of Dr. Robertson; but only offer a few remarks, and produce a few specimens of the author's manner.

As Dr. Robertson was born in 1721, and did not publish his History of Scotland, the earliest of his literary efforts, till 1759, it follows that he was in his thirty-eighth year when he first appeared as an author. Nor would it seem that the judgement necessary in history, or any grand scientific design, can be sufficiently matured till about that period of life. Professor Stewart is well known to be an able metaphysician, and more versed in the theory of the mind than in the history of literature; else it might have been a curious topic of inquiry for him, What were the most recent English models which Dr. Robertson probably followed in the manner and disposition of his work? The strict quotation of authority, which he most laudably introduced into classical productions, was a practice totally unknown to the French and Italian writers: and, in human affairs, such important consequences often arise from seeming trifles, that several revolutions of literary and even political opinions, in France, may be traced to the inaccuracies of their leading authors-inaccuracies propagated by themselves, from not having referred to their authorities. It is a peculiar characteristic of the French literature of the present day, that grave productions in that language may be divided into the pedantic and philosophical. Of the former, there are excellent specimens in the Memoirs of the Academy of Inscriptions, as well as in many other literary dissertations. Of the latter, the works of what are called the French philosophers afford abundant examples. In the first class, the subjects generally only interest a few curious and literary men; while the second creates a kind of ephemeral classics read by the nation at large.

The union of these two manners constitutes the great glory of English literature, which can boast of not a few productions infallibly classical, and which will reach the most distant posterity, because they not only rest on the perpetual basis of truth and authentication, but superadd the advantages of clear ar rangement, condensed information, and elegant style. Till this method shall be adopted in France, we may venture to predict that their historical classics in particular will attain but a brief and transitory reputation.

As, in constructing a grand fabric, the plummet and the level, though they seem to be trifling instruments, are of the most