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Show 1836- 1837] F/ agg's Far West 225 create the deepest impression. Just so it is with our admiration of character; there must exist bold and distinctive traits, good or bad, to arouse for it unusual regard. A monotony of character or of feeling is as wearisome as a monotony of sound or scenery. But to return from a digression which has become unconscionably long. After a brisk gallop of a few hours through the delightful scenery of the Barrens, I found myself approaching the little town of Carlinville. As I drew nigh to the village, I found it absolutely reeling under the excitement of the " Grand Menagerie. 1' From all points of the compass, men, women, and children, emerging from the forest, came pouring into the place, some upon horses, some in farm- wagons, and troops of others on foot, slipping and sliding along in a fashion most distressing to behold. The soil in this vicinity is a black loam of surpassing fertility; and, when saturated with moisture, it adheres to the sole with most pertinacious tenacity, more like to an amalgam of soot and soap- grease than to any other substance that has ever come under my cognizance. The inn [ 207] was thronged by neighbouring farmers, some canvassing the relative and individual merits of the Zebe-dee and the Portimous; others sagely dwelling upon the mooted point of peril to be apprehended from the great sarpent - Boy Contractor; while little unwashen wights did run about and dangerously prophecy on the recent disappearance of the big elephant. Carlinville is a considerable village, situated on the margin of a pleasant prairie, on the north side of Macoupin Creek, and is the seat of justice for the county. The name Macoupin is said to be of aboriginal derivation, and by the early French chroniclers was spelled and pronounced Ma-quo- pin, until its present uncomely combination of letters became legalized on the statute- book. The term, we are |