VISIT TO NIAGARA FALLS.—­Early in June, however, it was determined to take a recess, and I embraced this opportunity to proceed with my family to visit Niagara Falls.  Miss Elizabeth Cass accepted an invitation to join us, and we had a most interesting and delightful visit.  We were, perhaps, the first party of pure pleasure, having no objects of business of any kind, who ever went from the upper lakes to see this grand feature in American scenery.  We were most kindly received by friends and acquaintances at Buffalo, where many parties were given.  We visited both banks of the falls, and crossed over below the sheet.  On passing Black Rock, we were kindly received by Gen. Porter and his accomplished and talented lady.  We returned to Detroit with the most pleasing reminiscences of the trip.

A VISITOR OF NOTE.—­About the 20th of July, Gen. Erastus Root, long a veteran in the New York Legislature, visited Detroit, having, if I mistake not, some public business in the upper country.  Persons who have been long before the public acquire a reputation which appears to make every one familiar with them, and there was much curiosity to see a person who had so long opposed Clinton, opposed the canal, and stood forth in some things as a political reformer.  I went with him and his companion, Judge M’Call, after a very hot day, to take some lemonade in the evening at Gen. Cass’s.  Gen. Root was not refined and polished in his manners and converse.  He was purposely rough in many things, and appeared to say things in strong terms to produce effect.  To call the N.Y.  Canal the “big ditch” was one of these inventions which helped him to keep up his individuality in the legislature.  He appeared to me to be a man something after the type of Ethan Allen.

HISTORY.—­During this session of the legislature, I delivered the annual discourse before the Historical Society.  I felt so much misgiving about reading it before the large assemblage at the State House, that I had arranged with a literary and legal friend to put it in his hands the moment I began to falter.  For this purpose he occupied the secretary’s desk; but I found myself sufficiently collected to go on and read it through, not quite loud enough for all, but in a manner, I think, to give satisfaction.

CHARACTER OF THE CHIPPEWAS.—­Wm. S. Mosely, Esq., writes (July 12th) respecting this influential and wide-spread tribe, proposing a list of queries transmitted to him by Theodore Dwight, Junr., a philanthropist of N.Y.  One of the questions is as follows:  “What have been the chief impediments between the Indian and civilization?  How would it alter their opinions or influence their conduct if they could associate with white people without being despised, imposed upon, or rendered suspicious of their motives?  In short, if they came in contact only with the best white men, and were neither furnished with ardent spirits nor threatened with extermination by encroachment?”