The art of felling trees.
1843. During the day, this winter, I took lessons in axecraft; for, in addition to the “niggering-off,” it became necessary as the cold increased, to chop off logs, especially as our fire-place devoured wood at the rate of half-a-cord per diem…. Tom had actually done in axery, what Horace pronounces in writing, the perfection of the art, viz. ravishing and yet beguiling the reader into an opinion that he can write as well.—B. R. Hall (‘Robert Carlton’), ‘The New Purchase,’ i. 188–90.
