citizens of a free land ought to be. But besides these honourable
individuals whom I have taken the liberty of mentioning,
many others I could speak of with delight, and one I would point
out in particular, as he to whom my deepest gratitude is due,
one whom I cannot omit mentioning, because, of all the good
and the estimable, he it is whose remembrance is most dear to
me :—that generous friend is GEORGE PARKMAX.
About the middle of August, we left our Boston friends, on
our way eastward; and, after rambling here and there, came in
sight of Moose Island, on which stands the last frontier town,
boldly facing one of the entrances of the Bay of Fundy. The
climate was cold, but the hearts of the inhabitants of Eastport
were warm. One day sufficed to render me acquainted with all
whom I was desirous of knowing. Captain CHILDS, the commander
of the garrison, was most obliging to me, while his
wife shewed the greatest kindness to mine, and the brave officers
received my sons with brotherly feelings. Think, reader, of
the true pleasure we enjoyed when travelling together, and everywhere
greeted with so cordial a welcome, while every facility was
afforded me in the prosecution of my researches. We made
excursions into the country around, ransacked the woods and
the shores, and on one occasion had the pleasure of meeting
with a general officer in his Britannic Majesty's service, who,
on my presenting to him the official documents with which I
had been honoured by the Home Department, evinced the
greatest desire to be of service to me. We removed for some
weeks to Dennisville, a neat little village, where the acquaintance
of Judge LINCOLN'S family rendered our stay exceedingly
agreeable. We had, besides, the gratification of being joined
by two gentlemen from Boston, one of whom has ever since remained
a true friend to me. Time passed away, and having
resolved to explore the British provinces of New Brunswick, we
proceeded to St John's, where we met with much politeness,
and ascending the river of that name, a most beautiful stream,
reached Frederickton, where we spent a week. Here Sir ARCHIBALD
CAMPBELL, Bart, received us with all the urbanity
and kindness of his amiable nature. We then ascended the river
to some miles below the " Great Falls" parallel to Mar's Hill, and
again entered the United States' territory near Woodstock. From
this spot we proceeded to Bangor, on the Penobscot river, as
you will find detailed in one of my short narratives entitled, " A
Journey in New Brunswick and Maine."
Soon after our arrival in Boston, my son VICTOR GIFFORD
set sail for England, to superintend the publication of my
" Birds of America," and we resumed our pursuits, making
frequent excursions into the surrounding country. Here I was
a witness to the melancholy death of the great SPURZHEIM,
and was myself suddenly attacked by a severe illness, which
greatly alarmed my family; but, thanks to Providence, and my
medical friends PARKMAN, WARREN, and SHATTUCK, I was
soon enabled to proceed with my labours. A sedentary life and
too close application being the cause assigned for my indisposition,
I resolved to set out again in quest of fresh materials for my
pencil and pen. My wishes directing me to Labrador, I returned
eastward with my youngest son, and had the pleasure of
being joined by four young gentlemen, all fond of Natural History,
and willing to encounter the difficulties and privations of
the voyage,—GEORGE SHATTUCK, THOMAS LINCOLN, W I L LIAM
INGALLS, and JOSEPH COOLEDGE.
At Eastport in Maine, I chartered a beautiful and fast