by a winding footpath to the top: one side is protected by a parapet wall, but the other is open; and to look down from it into the vast abyss would shake the courage of the stoutest heart. The road runs in the middle, and waggons daily pass it in safety, the breadth being no less than eighty feet.

The

The bridge is supported by an abutment of a solid mass of limestone, which, with the arch, seems to have been chiseled by the art of man. A small stream, called Cedar Creek, runs over a bed of rocks at the bottom, and adds much to the beauty of the scene. Having taken leave of our kind friends at Monticello, we proceeded fifty miles to the northward, behind the Blue Mountains, to see a large cavern called Maddison's Cave. It is in the middle of a mountain, which is so steep on one side, that a pebble might be thrown from its summit, into the river which washes its base. path leading to the cavern is on the opposite side, and very easy to ascend, till it turns suddenly to the steep part of the mountain, which is extremely rugged, and covered with immense rocks and trees from top to bottom. The mouth of the cavern is guarded by a huge pendant stone, that made me tremble lest it should fall, and either confine me for ever within the cave, or crush me to atoms with its weight. Seeing Mr. Franklin enter, I overcame my fear, and followed him and the guide, who lighted us into the dreary mansion with splinters of pitch pine, which give a brilliant light,

but

but burn out very fast; however, we were provided with a large bundle of them. The first apartment is very high, and its floor is moist, from the quantity of water that trickles down from the roof. The guide led us through a passage on the left, into an apartment that I shall call the antichamber; whence we advanced into the sound room, a cavern that reverberates any sound in a wonderful manner. I blew a French horn, that the guide had provided, and we were almost stunned by the echo. This chamber is arched at top, and beautifully decorated with petrifactions. Returning to the anti-chamber, we followed the guide, through a long, broad passage, to a pool of clear water, which stopped our progress on that side. The floor is of a deep sandy earth, full of saltpetre, and the walls are of limestone. Not satisfied with what we had seen, we scrambled down a steep slippery place, in the side of the long passage, into another cavern, more spacious than the rest. The petrifactions formed by the water trickling from above, hang down from the roof in the form of elegant drapery; in some places the petrifactions have begun at bottom, and are shaped like pillars of different heights. The floor of this apartment gradually sloped to a pool of water, which put an end to our researches. We returned by the same path we came, mounted our horses, and pursued our way amongst the Blue Mountains, which are covered with large trees to the very summit;

some

some of them are cragged, and extremely stony, others rich and fertile. Travellers on horseback, armed with pistols or swords, with a large blanket: folded up under their saddle, that they may not want a bed at night, who were going to explore, as they term it, (that is, to search for lands conveniently situated for a new settlement, in the western country,) were the principal company we met upon the road; except heavy waggons, covered with strong linen or bear skins, carrying the produce of Jenesse, Kentucky, and the back parts of Virginia, to Alexandria, Baltimore, or Philadelphia.

Mr. Franklin contrived to meet the Patowmac at the place where that river passes through the Blue Ridge. The approach towards the spot is wild and romantic. From a very high point of land we beheld the Shenandoah, another river, to the right, which, after having ranged along the foot of the mountain a hundred miles, to seek a vent, meets the Patowmac, which is endeavouring, from the left, to force a passage also. The moment they unite, their waters rush together against the mountain, rend it asunder, and pass off to the The piles of rock above, and the steep precipice beneath, with the roaring of the torrent, form a sublime contrast with the tranquil view beyond it.

sea.

From this place we returned directly to Washington, delighted with the romantic objects we had seen, which amply repaid the trouble of the journey.

I have taken sketches of different views, amongst others, that of the Rock Bridge, which I hope we shall one day examine together. With a kiss to little Louisa, be assured that I am, most affectionately, your's,

ARTHUR MIDDLETON.

Qe 2018 14

LETTER VII.

Mr. H. Franklin to his Brother.

DEAR BROTHER.

Norfolk.

WE are continually changing the scene from place to place. From Washington we bent our course southward, into the state of Virginia, after coasting along the Maryland shore of the Patowmac, as far as Hoe's Ferry. This tract is flat, sandy, and dreary. Nothing is to be seen for miles together but extensive plains, that have been exhausted by the culture of tobacco, now overgrown with yellow sedge, and occasionally shaded with groves of pine and cedar trees. Many of the houses are in ruins, and seem to be deserted by the inhabitants. The Ferry House looked like the mansion of misery, and is so badly supplied with provisions, that we could hardly get any thing to

eat,

eat, except a few oysters taken out of the river, but they were very tasteless and indifferent. Adjoining to this tavern I saw several huts, occupied by the slaves belonging to the master. What a picture of wretchedness they presented! The poor creatures looked half starved, were covered with rags, and the children ran about stark naked. Having crossed the ferry, we entered Virginia, but found no great improvement in the appearance of the country. We were put ashore on a small pèninsula, called the Northern Neck, situate between the Patowmac and the Rappahannock, remarkable for having given birth to several distinguished characters in the American war, particularly General Washington. There is a great inequality in the condition of the inhabitants in many parts of this province. Some possess immense estates, worked by a great number of slaves; whilst others live in a state approaching to indigence. The former are generally well educated, and have a taste for reading; but the instruction of the middling classes has been greatly neglected. The Virginians are remarked for their hospitality and love of pleasure. In the houses of the rich I have frequently been entertained with a dinner of delicacies, served on plate, in a room where the windows have stood in great need of the glazier; so inattentive are they to the state of their houses, which are often very much out of repair.

Dancing, gaming, hunting, and racing, are their

favourite