University of Virginia Library

PREFACE.

The Southwest, with its vast primitive forests, its
beautiful prairies, and its magnificent rivers, presents
exhibitions of nature before which the pilgrim from
every land bows with wonder and awe. The author
of this little volume has felt an inspiration among them,
which was never called forth by the more merely
beautiful and familiar scenery of the North.

Years since he was a stranger among the people
inhabiting the Southwest, in pursuit of fortune and
health. He found friends, and a hospitality as unbounded
as their soil is prolific; and in the pleasant
airs of the seasons, to which the rose turns its full-blown
and blushing cheek in mid-winter, he found health.

On a certain pleasant fall morning the author fell
into the train of a distinguished “bee-hunter.” The
sport was a novel one, and from its commencement to
its consummation it was watched with strange interest,
and the record made upon his mind was in time committed
to paper. It was sent forth from a retired spot
to the busy world, and not expected after many days to
return, but rather like a dull moth to see its little hour

and die. Such, however, was not its destiny. There
were those on “both sides of the Atlantic,” who
adopted it, reprinted it, and praised it; and its parent,
always prompted to commit to paper his thoughts of
scenes familiar in the backwoods, was emboldened to
continue to write at his leisure, having learned that
there was an intrinsic merit in the subjects associated
with the forests which took place of style or manner of
composition. The kind wishes of numerous friends
can also be urged as a reason for publishing; friends
who have, by their kind words, and by more substantial
testimonials, shown an interest in the author's welfare.

The “Mysteries of the Backwoods” has one object,
which the author would press upon such readers as
may honour him with their attention. An effort has
been made, in the course of these sketches, to give to
those personally unacquainted with the scenery of the
Southwest, some idea of the country, of its surface,
and vegetation. In these matters the author has endeavoured
to be critically correct, indulging in the honest
ambition of giving some information, as well as to
lighten the lagging moments of a dull hour.