the shores of Lake Ontario for building a small vessel of war.  Among them was Mr. Cooper, then a midshipman in the service.  Their road lay for many a mile through the forest to the mouth of the Oswego River,—­their destination,—­where the Oneida, a brig mounting sixteen guns, was built and launched.  They enjoyed the wild coloring of frontier life They roamed the forests and explored the shores in leisure hours.  Cruises among the Thousand Islands were frequent; many were the fine fish caught and good chowders eaten.  The picturesque beauties of the region, the countless islands, were greatly enjoyed and never forgotten by the young midshipman.”  The youthful officers were ordered to Buffalo, and stopping for the night at a rude frontier inn, it was Cooper’s duty to inquire what they might have for supper.  “Mine host shook his head ruefully; he could promise very little.  ’Give us what you eat yourself; you must have food of some kind,’ said Cooper.  Mine host looked melancholy; on his honor he assured the young officers he had absolutely nothing to set before them but game, steak, and brook-trout; and, maybe his wife could find cranberries for a tart!  A month earlier they should have had a dish of fried pork fit for the President, with a pumpkin pie after it.  ’Game’s plenty, but nothin’ else!’ added the publican with a sigh.  Mine host was pining for pork!  On this expedition Mr. Cooper saw Niagara for the first time.  He was struck with the grandeur of the cataract, but felt its sublime character far more deeply on a later visit—­after his return from Europe.”

[Illustration:  THE THOUSAND ISLANDS.]

[Illustration:  THE PORT OF BUFFALO.]

When the Oneida was launched the gallant young officers resolved to celebrate the event by giving a ball.  “This was an enterprise of a desperate character;—­building a brig hundreds of miles from a ship-yard was a trifle to giving a ball in the wilderness.  True, one fiddle and half a dozen officers were something; refreshments and a military ball-room might be hoped for; but where, pray, were the ladies to come from?” They would not think of dancing with each other, and ladies must be found.  Vigorous efforts were made by sending boats in some directions and carts miles in others, to invite the ladies; and they accepted.  As the hour drew near a very delicate point came up for decision—­the honors due different fair claimants.  After a council of war, Lieutenant Woolsey gave to his master-of-ceremonies these orders:  “All ladies, sir, provided with shoes and stockings are to be led to the head of the Virginia reel; ladies with shoes, and without stockings, are considered in the second rank; ladies without shoes or stockings you will lead, gentlemen, to the foot of the country dance!” Such was a grand military ball in Oswego County in 1808-9.

[Illustration:  CAPTAIN M.T.  WOOLSEY.]