t, and that it might soon be his duty to take the
field; he therefore concluded it best to hasten his marriage with
Melissa. She consented to the proposition, and their parents made
the necessary arrangements for the event.]

The place was fixed upon which was to be their future residence. It was
a pleasantly situated eminence, commanding an extensive prospect. On
the west, forests unevenly lifted their rude heads, with here and there
a solitary field, newly cleared, and thinly scattered with cottages. To
the east, the eye extended over a soil at one time swelling into woody
elevations, and at another spreading itself into vales of the most
enchanting verdure. To the north it extended to the palisades, wooded
to their summits, and throwing their shadows over intervals of equal
wilderness, till at length the eye, wandering far beyond, was arrested
in its excursions by the blue mist which hovered over the distant
mountains, more grand, majestic, and lofty. The inhabitants around were
mild, sociable, moral, and diligent. The produce of their own fields
gave them the most of what was necessary, and they were happily free
from all dissipation and luxury.

[_A&M_:

They had even fixed upon the place which was to be the future
residence of this happy couple. It was a pleasantly situated
village.... On the west, forests unevenly lifted their rude heads,
with here and there a solitary field, newly cleared, and thinly
scattered with cottages. To the east, the eye extended over a soil,
at one time swelling into craggy elevations, and at another
spreading itself into vales of the most enchanting verdure. To the
north it extended over a vast succession of mountains, wooded to
their summits, and throwing their shadows over intervals of equal
wilderness, till at length it was arrested in its excursions by the
blue mists which hovered over mountains more grand, majestic and
lofty.... The inhabitants of this modern Avernum were mostly
farmers. They were mild, sociable, moral and diligent. The produce
of their own flocks and fields, gave them most of their food and
clothing. To dissipation they were strangers, and the luxuries of
their tables were few.]

Such was the site marked out for the residence of Theodore and Alida.
They visited the spot, and were enraptured with its pensive, romantic
beauties.

[_A&M_:

Such was the place for the residence of Alonzo and Melissa. They had