to this region in early days as among the greatest men in the world. I
did not find myself able to discredit her realistic and vivid
description of the visits of Joseph Bonaparte to his wilderness domain
in a six-horse chariot, followed by numerous retainers. Neither did I
find myself able to disbelieve in the accuracy of her picturesque
description of Joseph Bonaparte's Venetian gondola floating upon the
waters of Northern New York, or her account of his dinner-service of
"golden plate" spread out by the road-side on one memorable occasion
when he paused in his kingly ride and dined in a picturesque place near
the highway. She told in a convincing manner many traditions relating to
the enterprise which was to have made of the Black-River country a rich
farming region not inferior to the Mohawk Flats. The fact that nature
had not seconded this undertaking had not diminished Mrs. Brown's
impressions of its magnitude and importance. The great tracts which had
been purchased and the great men who had purchased them were vividly
impressed upon her imagination. In reference to her personal history,
except for a few allusions to life in New York City, she was reticent.

I remained nearly two months at the home of my friend, and became
familiar with the places of interest surrounding it. The little lake was
a memorable spot, for there Anthony first told me the full story of his
experiences in Philadelphia. He did not conceal the fact that an
attachment was growing up between himself and the daughter of his best
friend there, Mr. Zebina Allen. The way to make his permanent home in
the Quaker City seemed to be opening before him. That I should go with
him for a few days to Philadelphia when he returned, to "see how the
land lay," as he expressed it in backwoods phrase, was one of his
favorite ideas. He made so much of this point that I finally consented
to accompany him.