of a steep pace con exigencies here their irs of the be con baneful The prin uld now smiling d have lowing: ich is would ttering had to This length Finding that i could derive no mormation from su (who knew nothing of the camp, and, as his did not heed such things-not he"), I hastily to refreshment, retired to rest, and departed next with a fine sun, and the promise of a delightful da Autumn had already begun to shed a varied tint numerous subjects of her rich domain. I amus in endeavouring to count and classify the colours y employs to diversify Nature, and distinguish her r that of the other seasons: but I made little progress scene was too grand, extensive, and sublime, to co the confined controul of human calculation. I was eminence, commanding a view of a valley in wh millions of trees, and from which many millions dually rose in the form of an immense amphithe appeared as if every tree, though many were of class, bad shades, hues, and characters, peculiar to rived from individual attitude, growth, and soil; an tation to heavenly bodies, and the emanations iss them. It was one of those scenes on which the mi dwell with infinite rapture; but which can neve scribed with justice and truth, except by one ins Him, But "Whose breath perfumes them, and whose pencil paints.” Between this spot and Pittsburg I passed two fl little towns; first crossing the celebrated Laure called from its ridge being for several miles crow trees of that kind. This hill is remarkably steep a Nothing worthy of mention struck my notice till i ASHE.] D 100 UL ucia over stupnuous mountains anu vai rocks. Such a sight could not fail of gratifying and chanting me; giving serenity to the mind, and gratitude the heart; and awakening in the soul its most amiable a distinguished affections. In sending you this sketch, I have not stopped to det the inferior particulars of the journey. It is of little co sequence where a traveller sleeps, where and what he ea and whether he was comfortable, &c. In travelling alo this and every other road in America, a stranger is furnish with a route indicating the best inns, and their distances fro cach other as to the expence, it seldom varies; being quarter of a dollar for lodging, the same sum for eve meal, and half a dollar a night for a horse. With rega to comfort, that favourite British word is too vague f general explanation; as it relates to comparison, habit, a sensibilities. If the English miss cleanliness, the Fren coffee, the Duch tobacco, the Germans beer, the Russia oil, the Italians chocolate, the Spaniards garlic, the Tur opium, the Tartars milk, the Indians rice, and so d through every nation, they never consider themselves com fortable; and hence we hear the same house praised by or guest, and vilified by another. LETTER III. Situation and Description of Pittsburg-Its Manufacto ries, Ship-building, and Population-State of Educa tion here-Character and Persons of the Ladies-Rel gious Sects-Schools-Market-house, and Prices o Provisions-Price of Land-Amusements. Pittsburg, October, 1806. I AM afraid I tire your patience: three letters from this place, and yet it remains undescribed! Excuse me: I now commence. gand enFatitude to iable and to detail ttle con t he eats, ng along Turnished ices from being a For every h regard gue for bit, and French Russians e Turks So on es com by one facto Educa -Relies of 806. this now ence of the two streams; and commands a charmi each, as well as of the Ohio. The British gar Pitt (so called after the late earl of Chatham, a near the former post), higher up on the Monong once a place of some consequence as a frontier but fell into decay on being given up by its four it was included in one of the manors of the Penn was sold by the proprietaries; and now makes a town of Pittsburg, and is laid out in town-lots. ette, built a very few years since, is also within th the town, on the bank of the Alleghany: a ga present kept there; and for the most part, it is n quarters for the army of the United States. The spot on which this town stands, is so co (in the military phrase) that it has been emphatic the key to the western country: and its natural peculiarly grand and striking. Blest as it is with advantages, there is nothing surprising in its creased rapidly within the last few years. It cont four hundred houses, many of them large and built with brick; and above two thousand inhab abounds with mechanics, who cultivate most of rent manufactures that are to be found in any of the United States; and possesses upward of stores*, which all seem continually busy. To most of the goods conveyed in waggons over the in spring and autumn, and destined for the Ken Louisiana trade, are brought, to be ready for em Many valuable manufactories have been lately here; among which are those of glass, nails, hat bacco. The manufacture of glass is carried on e and that article is made of an excellent quality. two establishments of this sort; one for the coarse other for the finer kinds. * The common name for the places of sale in America and the fering from shops in being generally larger, and always dealing in of articles, including every thing that can be expected to be asked The principal inhabitants of Pittsburg are Irish, or Irish origin: this accounts for the commercial spirit of place, and the good breeding and hospitality which in neral prevail throughout it.-Colonel O'Hara, and maj Kirkpatrick and Grey, have been long distinguished the liberality of their character, and their generous attenti to strangers. I am indebted to them for much informati and kindness; and whenever my mind wants a subject o pable of affording it the most pleasing contemplation, shall revert to the many happy hours which I enjoyed their society, and that of their amiable families. The i fluence of these and many other gentlemen of similar sen ments, is very favourable to the town; and has hinder the vicious propensities of the genuine American characte from establishing here the horrid dominion which they ha assumed over the Atlantic States. Education is not attended to by the men, so much as b the ladies. The former enter into business so early, th they are obliged to abandon their studies before they at half completed; but the latter, having no other view tha the improvement of their faculties, pass many years in pu suit of solid information and fashionable attainments Hence they acquire a great superiority over the other sex The ladies of Pittsburg manifest this superiority in a ver high degree, but do not abuse it. Modest and unassuming they conceal for a considerable time their embellishments and when they permit them to shine out, it is to please husband, father, or acquaintance, and not for the gratifica tion of ambition or the humiliation of friends. None o their sensations appear to be violent: their character exhi bits more of a serene repose than of a boisterous energy Their form is slender, person tall, and voice melodious; the hair light; the eye mild; the gesticulation easy; and in a word, the whole of their manner, action, and appearance. denotes a temperate soul, an excellent heart, and an improved mind. I am happy to say that these are the leading features of many American women: it gives me great pleasure to render this justice to them; and to assure you, as by y, that hey are w than En purquents. er sex. a very ergy. I in a lead great you, of the most distant regions, have one universal Happily for this place, religion is not extinct, t professors of it are employing the best possible effecting its destruction. They are frittering it in sand ceremonies, a thousand absurd and eccentri In fact, religions worship is expressed here by eve that can enter into a disturbed mind. Some sit appear to commune with themselves in silence a nity others, on the contrary, employ themselves gesticulation, and shouting aloud. Some, in m ence to the letter of the apostle's instruction, to " little children," think it right to play and roll on tumble, dance, sing, or practise gymnastic and other juvenile games. Others deny the necessit frequenting the house of the Lord and accordi out into the wilderness; where they fast, pray, an imitation of the wolves. I did not inquire into ments by which the merits of these contradictory ings are supported: I was content on being assure better kind of people frequent the protestant churd Romish chapel.-I cannot omit mentioning, that : |