The Crater | Page 2

reader may next wish to know why the wonderful events related in
these volumes have so long been hidden from the world. In answer to
this we would ask if anyone can tell how many thousands of years the

waters have tumbled down the cliffs at Niagara, or why it was that
civilized men heard of the existence of this wonderful cataract so lately
as only three centuries since. The fact is, there must be a beginning to
everything; and now there is a beginning to the world's knowing the
history of Vulcan's Peak, and the Crater. Lest the reader, however,
should feel disposed to reproach the past age with having been
negligent in its collection of historical and geological incidents, we
would again remind him of the magnitude of the events that so
naturally occupied its attention. It is scarcely possible, for instance, for
one who did not live forty years ago to have any notion how
completely the world was engaged in wondering at Napoleon and his
marvellous career, which last contained even more extraordinary
features than anything related here; though certainly of a very different
character. All wondering, for near a quarter of a century, was
monopolized by the French Revolution and its consequences.
There are a few explanations, however, which are of a very humble
nature compared with the principal events of our history, but which
may as well be given here. The Woolston family still exists in
Pennsylvania, and that, by the way, is something towards corroborating
the truth of our narrative. Its most distinguished member is recently
dead, and his journal has been the authority for most of the truths here
related. He died at a good old age, having seen his three-score years
and ten, leaving behind him, in addition to a very ample estate, not only
a good character, which means neither more nor less than what "the
neighbours," amid their ignorance, envy, love of detraction, jealousy
and other similar qualities, might think proper to say of him, but the
odour of a well-spent life, in which he struggled hard to live more in
favour with God, than in favour with man. It was remarked in him, for
the last forty years of his life, or after his return to Bucks, that he
regarded all popular demonstrations with distaste, and, as some of his
enemies pretended, with contempt. Nevertheless, he strictly acquitted
himself of all his public duties, and never neglected to vote. It is
believed that his hopes for the future, meaning in a social and earthly
sense, were not very vivid, and he was often heard to repeat that
warning text of Scripture which tells us, "Let him that thinketh he
standeth, take heed lest he fall."

The faithful, and once lovely partner of this principal personage of our
history is also dead. It would seem that it was not intended they should
be long asunder. But their time was come, and they might almost be
said to have departed in company. The same is true of Friends Robert
and Martha, who have also filled their time, and gone hence, it is to be
hoped to a better world. Some few of the younger persons of our drama
still exist, but it has been remarked of them, that they avoid conversing
of the events of their younger days. Youth is the season of hope, and
hope disappointed has little to induce us to dwell on its deceptive
pictures.
If those who now live in this republic, can see any grounds for a timely
warning in the events here recorded, it may happen that the mercy of a
divine Creator may still preserve that which he has hitherto cherished
and protected.
It remains only to say that we have endeavoured to imitate the
simplicity of Captain Woolston's journal, in writing this book, and
should any homeliness of style be discovered, we trust it will be
imputed to that circumstance.

The Crater.
Chapter I.

"'Twas a commodity lay fretting by you; 'Twill bring you gain, or
perish on the seas."
_Taming of the Shrew._
There is nothing in which American Liberty, not always as much
restrained as it might be, has manifested a more decided tendency to
run riot, than in the use of names. As for Christian names, the Heathen
Mythology, the Bible, Ancient History, and all the classics, have long
since been exhausted, and the organ of invention has been at work with

an exuberance of imagination that is really wonderful for such a
matter-of-fact people. Whence all the strange sounds have been derived
which have thus been pressed into the service of this human
nomenclature, it would puzzle the most ingenious philologist to say.
The days of the Kates, and Dollys, and Pattys, and Bettys, have passed
away, and in