lar rocks, rushing over the intermediate spaces by steep and rough channels, in a furious and turbulent manner. The first of the falls is forty-seven feet in height, the second eleven, and the third forty-eight; and such is the variety in the directions of the sheets of water and the surrounding objects in that wild and secluded dell, which is shut in on both sides by perpendicular banks of dark limestone, from one hundred to one hundred and thirty feet in height, that the impressions made on the mind of a spectator are at once awful and pleasing. SYRACUSE. This is a large and flourishing village on the Erie canal, one hundred and thirty-three miles west of Albany, at the junction of the Oswego canal. Population, 1850 22,235. The great Salt-Spring, at Salina, is the most valuable in the Union, as it is abundant in water, very highly charged, and the supply is taken to numerous manufactories, where the salt is extracted and purified by the most approved processes. The spring rises on the marshes of Salina lake, a salt pond, six miles long and two in breadth, whose waters are impregnated to such a degree that its shores are lined with plants usually found only on the borders of the sea. The lake is surrounded by limestone hills, containing petrifactions; and gypsum abounds in the neighborhood. The spot is a portion of that extensive region which reaches from the Atlantic to the Pacific, between the latitudes of thirtyone and forty-five degrees north, whose course is here and there betrayed by brine springs. In this state, such springs exist in the counties of Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, Ontario, Niagara, Genesee, Tompkins, Wayne, and Oneida; but that of Salina is by far the most valuable and productive. According to published statements, a bushel of salt may be obtained from forty-five gallons of water; and analysis gives the following results for forty gallons: Weight, 355 pounds; saline matter of all kinds, 56 pounds. Of this, muriate of soda is 51 pounds; carbonate of lime, colored by oxyde of iron, 6 ounces; sul phate of lime, 2 pounds, 4 ounces; muriate of lime, 1 pound, 12 ounces; and probably some muriate of magnesia and sulphate of soda. The water is raised from the spring by a forcing-pump, and distributed through pipes and troughs to numerous manufactories, large and small, of different kinds, in the villages of Salina and Syracuse, and a considerable tract of land lying between them. In some places are seen large buildings, in which the water is evaporated by artificial heat; but the greater part is exposed, in shallow wooden vats, to the heat of the sun, being covered by sliding roofs when threatened by rain. A branch of the Erie canal affords the means of easy transportation, and immense quantities of salt are annually transported to all parts of the country. The vats are about sixteen by seven feet, and four inches deep, and are supplied with water sent from pump-houses through hollow logs. Between the rows of vats, sufficient space is left for carts to pass, in which the salt is removed. The salt made in this manner is coarse; that formed by artificial heat is fine. From fifteen to twenty-five boilers are used, usually placed in rows, which are supplied with salt water much in the same manner as the vats; and heat is applied below, where fires are kindled in furnaces. In some manufactories, steam-pipes are used for heating, and pass through the water. The new spring at Salina yields water more strongly impregnated with salt than the old spring; that is, in the proportion of fifty to seventy. Fresh water being reckoned at 0, and water saturated with salt at 100, a cubic foot of water from the new spring yields fourteen pounds of salt. Two mills on every bushel here are to be paid to the state for pumping the water, and six cents a bushel on all the salt made. About three millions of bushels are manufactured annually; and the business, in all its branches, occupies about three thousand men, in the four villages of Syracuse, Salina, Geddesburgh, and Liverpool. A French colony for the Onondaga country was planned in the year 1655, by the Jesuit Dablon, who procured at | Quebec fifty soldiers, under the command of Lieutenant Lawson, and set out with them the next year, to undertake one of their missions at this place. Under so powerful a guard, with the approbation of the Jesuit superior-general, Francis Le Mercier, the expedition sailed up the river; but it was attacked by four hundred Mohawks, before they reached Montreal, who were jealous of the Onondagas, by whom the enterprise was encouraged. The Indians being repulsed, the party proceeded; and, after some delays and dangers, arrived at the appointed place of settlement. This is supposed to have been on the borders of Salina lake, as mention is made of a salt-spring. They were for a time very kindly treated by the Onondagas, who inhabited this region. Scarcely two years, however, had elapsed, before strong symptoms of hostility were exhibited; several murders were committed, and a large army of the Six Nations was assembled. The colonists became alarmed, and resolved on flight. By practising the greatest caution and secresy, they succeeded. Canoes were made with all haste in the house of the Jesuit, and a young Frenchman, who had been adopted by the Indians, and enjoyed their full confidence, persuaded them to make a great feast; at the close of which they betook themselves to sleep; and when they awoke the next day, their intended victims were not to be found. Having launched their canoes in the night, and taken their young countryman with them, the colonists got such a start of their enemies, that they arrived in safety at Montreal. AUBURN. This beautiful village, situated on Owasco lake, is worthy of the pleasing associations connected with its name, which Goldsmith's favorite poem has celebrated. Population, 9,548. The stateprison, located here, is quite a handsome building. It stands back about eighty feet from the road, and covers, including the grounds, about twenty-five thousand square feet. The wall that surrounds it is two thousand feet long, thirty feet high, and, at the base, four feet thick. On the southern side there is a small creek, from which, by means of a wheel and shaft, power enough is obtained to work all the machinery inside of the walls. The prison consists of two wings, and the main body of the house, which forms three sides of a square; the wings being two hundred and forty feet long, and twentyfive feet deep, and the house two hundred and eighty feet long. It was begun in the year 1816, and the cost was five hundred thousand dollars. The expenses of the prison, in the year 1839, were $51,671.21, and the money that was earned in the same year was $60,161.46. The prisoners number, in the course of a year, from six to seven hundred. Every sabbath they are instructed in the great truths of the Bible, and the younger portion are taught reading, writing, and arithmetic. When this prison was first built, there were five hundred and fifty cells; but lately a few more have been added. These cells are arranged in four stories, and are seven feet high, seven feet long, and three and a half feet wide. They are very well warmed, lighted, and ventilated, and everything fixed for the comfort of the prisoners. The space between the cells and the outside wall is ten feet wide, and is open from the roof to the ground. The passages to the cells are three feet wide, extending out from the wall in front of each cell. They being constructed in this manner, perfect silence can be preserved through the night, as the slightest noise or whisper is heard by the watchman on guard below. This precaution is taken in order to prevent any conversation during the night. The same care is taken in the daytime, for they are made to work without speaking. The prison-bell rings soon after daybreak, which is a signal for the prisoners to rise, and soon after the keeper unlocks the doors. The prisoners then come out of their cells, each one taking his pan that is used for his food, his kettle for water, and his tub. They then put these different things in their respective places, and in lockstep walk to the workshops, where they work until the prison-bell rings again, and then in the same manner go to the eating-room. The tables that are used here are very narrow, to prevent any intercourse. In about half an hour they are ordered, by the ringing of the bell, to return to the workshops, and here work until twelve o'clock, when again they go and take their dinner in the same way. As evening comes on, the prisoners go to the place where they left their tubs in the morning; and when the word of command is given, each takes his own up and proceeds to the mess or dining-room, where each one takes his can of water and his pan of food, and then all walk in the same close step to their cells. As they enter, they pull the door to after them, and are then locked in by the turnkey, who has two keys entirely different from any others in the prison. The prisoners are divided into companies; and each company occupies a separate gallery. The turnkeys go around through the different galleries in stocking-feet, to see if the convicts are in bed. the honor of the inestimable improvements which have been made, although he was accused of occasional practices of unnecessary severity, in the punishment of offenders or suspected persons among the prisoners under his charge. Not a word is allowed to be spoken by the convicts while at work; and each small party of laborers is attended by a sentinel, at whatever employment, and every infringement of the rule of strict silence which he can observe is instantly reported and punished. Their cells are solitary, although arranged side by side in long rows, and separated only by single walls; and sentinels are so posted, at night, that no communication can be carried on between any of the prisoners. In the largest prisons, where a thousand or more persons are confined, a dead silence reigns from the hour of retirement till that of breakfast. A few men are sufficient to guard a great number, thus isolated in mind, and yet made to move and act in compact bodies. plot is impossible: one man can not The stateprison at Auburn is impor- even form an acquaintance with anothtant in an historical point of view, be- er. Whenever they move, they are recause it is that in which a new system quired to march at a regular step, in of prison-discipline was commenced, single file, and close together; a difficult which has since been extensively adopt march, which requires strict attention. ed in the large stateprisons of this coun- They often receive their food on retry, and, with various modifications, in turning from work, without stopping; France and elsewhere. It was invented for being marched through the kitchen, and first practised by Mr. Lynds, after-each takes his can from a table, and carward superintendent of the Sing-Sing ries it to his cell. A bath-schools are often kept by benevolent people of the neighborhood. In some cases, also, as in New York city, societies provide temporary lodgings and work for discharged convicts, and otherwise interest themselves in their welfare. prison. The grand object of it is to Religious services are often held in prevent all conversation and interchange chapels connected with the prisons, and of thoughts between the convicts. In chaplains usually find many of the conall prisons previously in use, where con-victs accessible to their private instrucsiderable numbers of persons were con- tions. Each cell has a Bible, and sabfined, unless for offences of peculiar kinds, or under oppressive systems of government, numbers of prisoners were, from time immemorial, placed in com mon halls, often in a very crowded manner; and not only immoral conversation, but the basest crimes, might be indulged in. So great were the evils of that system, that many innocent persons have been ruined by their contact with felons of the worst character, while awaiting trial. The expense of keeping and guarding men in such circumstances was very great; and to Mr. Lynds belongs The Prison-Discipline Society, which was formed in Boston about twenty-five years ago, early recommended the prin ciples on which the Auburn prison was conducted, and greatly contributed to their general adoption in the United States and foreign countries. GENEVA. This place is conspicuous among the lake villages for the beauty of its appearance from the water. It stands at the outlet of the lake of the same name, upon the western bank; and the houses of some of the more wealthy inhabitants occupy the summit of the higher ground, which rises one hundred and twenty feet, just behind the busiest streets, and descends with a hasty but graceful slope to the water, adorned by the gardens, green with useful plants, and gay with blooming flowers. The surrounding country presents that gently-varied surface peculiar to this part of New York, where, for many miles, the ground has the appearance of having been channelled from north to south. The lowest depressions are occupied by several of the small lakes, while the heights of the intermediate ridges command extensive and pleasing views over the gently-undulated country between. The settlement of Geneva was begun in the year 1794, by Mr. Austin and Mr. Barton; and the act of incorporation was passed in 1812. The number of dwellings is about five hundred; and there are nine churches, a bank, &c. The Geneva College was one of the earliest institutions which adopted plan of studies adapted to young preparing for other professions than those usually termed "learned;" and, like several others since established in different places, affords instruction in practical branches to such students as prefer to pursue them. The buildings occupy a remarkably fine, agreeable, and commanding situation, on the ele vated shore of the lake, near the southern extremity of Main street. This college, incorporated in 1825, has professors of mathematics, natural philosophy, Latin and Greek, statistics and civil engineering, modern languages, history and belles-lettres, chymistry and mineralogy. There is also a medical department, commonly called The Medical College of Geneva.-The building belongs to the medical department of the college, which is under the direction of four professors. The inhabitants of this beautiful town have distinguished themselves by their liberality in providing and supporting institutions of the most valuable character; and few places of equal size can be found |