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to within a mile of the house by the river & presents the appearance of a lake studded with Islands -- This prarie is five miles wide & extends along the bank of the river for seven miles - a grove formed chiefly of that most graceful tree, the American Elm, is not far from the house & the full extent of the prarie is seem here & there thro' the arborial arches. This county (Clarke) was the favorite hunting ground of Black-hawk and his braves & the trees of the Elm-grove still retain in their bark the marks left by the various parties who had encamped beneath their shade but twenty five years ago. Now the county is comparatively well settled chiefly by Kentuckians & Virginians - The former are a hardy pioneer race but lamentably deficient in education & the desire to procure it. Their ignorance gives rise to many amusing incidents - all of which furnish a field of observation to my aunt Flora. Their nearest neighbor is an old Kentuckian of the name of Lucas who with his family reside in the former "Quarters." He is a fine specimen of the backwoodsman & realizes Cooper's idea of "Leatherstocking." He is tall, over six feet, & square built & broad giving evidence of great strength & powers