Henry Kirke White, written and published fifty years later, they would never have perished by the critic’s pen.  Yet the same malignant assault which crushed their tender muse was the only thing which could amuse the latent powers of a far greater genius; and had not Byron been as cruelly attacked by the Edinburgh, he would never have given ‘Childe Harold’ to the world.  The authorship of that most unjust and malignant critique, which, however brief, was sufficient to make the author of ‘the Hours of Idleness,’ foe the time, contemptible, was long a secret; but it is now admitted that it was by Jeffrey.  Little did the murderous critic think that his challenge would bring out an adversary who would soon unhorse him, and then dash victoriously over the field under the especial patronage of fame.

* * * * *

THE HUGUENOT FAMILIES IN AMERICA.

III.

THE HUGUENOTS OF ULSTER.

It is said that the lands of the early Huguenot settlers in Ulster County were so arranged in small lots, and within sight of each other, as to prevent surprise from the Indians whilst their owners were cultivating them.  Louis Bevier, one of the most honored patentees, was the ancestor of the highly-respectable family bearing his name in that region.  When he was about to leave France, his father became so exasperated, that he refused to bestow upon him the commonest civilities.  Nor would he condescend to return the kind salutations of another son in the public streets, affectionately offered by the pious emigrant, and for the last time.

Another of the patentees, Deyo, visited France to claim his confiscated estates, but, failing of success, returned.  Kingston, at this early period, was the only trading post or village for the French Protestants, and sixteen miles distant from their settlement, although in a straight line.  Paltz was not more than eight miles west of the Hudson River; this route, M. Deyo undertook, alone, to explore—­but never returned.  It was thought that the adventurous Huguenot died suddenly, or was devoured by the wild beasts.  A truss and buckle which he owned were found about thirty years afterwards, at the side of a large hollow tree.  His life seems to have been one full of toils and dangers, having endured severe sufferings for conscience’ sake, before he reached Holland from France.  For days he concealed himself in hiding places from his persecutors, and without food, finally escaping alone in a fishing boat, during a terrific storm.

The descendants of the Ulster Dubois are very influential and numerous in our day, but there is a tradition that this family at one time was in great danger of becoming extinct.  For a long while it was the custom of parents to visit Kingston, for the purpose of having their children baptized.  M. Dubois and wife were returning from such a pious visit, and while crossing the Roundout, on the ice, it gave way,