<*>. o • » .V v-» ' . . • •j^5o\V ^ .< .^" » • • s V' ■->•. -^ ^b . ' • V*'^^ ■^o, .* .*^ "^ o;i/ ^^-n^^ •'^. ^ * o « :^; r. ''•■ ri^ ^ o? n (f c^O H O ^,*' ^. T • 4 ■«. 2 o V .1 P • » 1^ ' . • • ^0 ^ >^ ,'% *^, ' . . » * *'> . ft t, •' o , < **! -■ -. • « _ -^: V ■ ' %^ .'-^t^^'/' •'..,• 5 >|> ^^-^^^ V ,. - /^- \V^ vix • 1*"- <^^ THE PICTORIAL SKETCH-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA. WILLIAM BROMWELL, SOLE AGENT, No« 195 Chestnut Street) opposite the State House, |S[jilaiiFl|i[iiii nnii JUiuMiig Jlailroal PASSENGEE TKAIN TIME TABLE.^ Leave Philadelphia from the Depot, Broad and Callowhill Street, at 7i A. M., and 3^ P. M. Daily Except Sundays, when an Excursion Train leaves at 7J A. M. Returning leaves Pottsville at 4 P. M. UP TRAINS 1 DOWN TRAINS. STATIONS. Exp'8 Morn. Way Aft'n. STATIONS. Wag Morn. B.vp'n Aft'n. Leaves Phil.\delphia, 7.80 3.30 ) Leaves Pottsville, 7.30 3.. 30 Passes Schl. Viaduct, — 3.41 Passes Mt. Carbon, 7.37 3.37 (( Manayunk, — 3.50 " ScHL. Haven, 7.46 3.45 •' Conshohocken, — 4.05 " Orwigsburg, 7.57 it Norristown, — 4.12 1 " Auburn, 8.0.-) l Auburn, — 7.11 " Norristown, 10.44 (( Orwigsburg, — 7.19 " Conshohocken, 10.51 ii ScHL. Haven, 10.43 7.27 " Manayunk, 11.06 (t Mount Carbon, 10.52 736 " Schl. Viaduct. 11.18 Arrives at Pottsville, 11.00 7.45 Arrives at Philad'a. 11.30 7.00 STAGE CONNEXIONS. At Phcenixville, with Express and Way Trains, for Yellow Sprin"-,«, &c At Pottstown, with Express Trains, for JJoyerstown, Allentown, ix. At Readi.vo, with Express Trains, for Lebanon, Harrisburg, Bemyille, Jonestown, ic. At PoTTsvuiE, with Express Trains, for Northumberland, Sunbury, DanTillc, Cata- RAILROAD CONNEXIONS. At Port Clinton, to Tamaqua, thence by Stage to Mauch Chunk, Wilkcsbarre, Lacka- wanna, Hazelton, &c. ' ' At ScHin-LKiLL IlAVEN, to Minersvillc, Trcmont, &c. At Mount Cabbon, to Tuscarora, Middleport, &c. I |5^ilaDd|i!]iii anh :3RmMng Haitonl P2VSSENGER FARES AND DISTANCES. UP TRAINS 1 1 DOWN TRAINS. Dist. From Philad'a to FARES. iV0.1|^0.2 Jiist. From Pottsville to fares. No.\\No.2 H Scbl. Viaduct, .15 .10 1 Mount Carbon, .05 .05 7 Manayunk, .20 .15 4 ScHL. Haven, .15 .10 13^ Consbohocken, .30 .25 7 Orwigsburg, .20 .15 17 Norristown, .40 .30 10 Auburn, .30 .25 21J Port Kennedy, .65 .50 15 Port Clinton, .45 .35 23i Valley Forge, .70 .60 18 Hamburg, .55 .45 27^- PlICENIXVILLE, .80 .65 25 Mobrsville, .75 .60 32 Royer's Ford, .95 .80 27 Altbouse's, .80 .65 84 Limerick, 1.05 .85 35 Reading, 1.05 .85 40 POTTSTOWN, 1.20 1.00 44 Birdsboro, 1.30 1.10 44J Douglassville, 1.35 1.10 m Douglassville, 1.45 1.20 49" Birdsboro, 1.50 1.25 53^ Pottstown, 1.60 1.30 58 Reading, 1.75 1.45 59 Limerick, 1.75 1.45 66 Altbouse's, 2.00 1.65 61 Royer's Ford, 1.80 1.50 68 Mobrsville, 2.05 1.70 65J Phojnixville, 1.95 1.65 75 Hamburg, 2.25 1.90 69J Valley Forge, 2.05 1.70 78 Port Clinton, 2.35 1.95 71^ Port Kennedy, 2.10 1.75 88 Auburn, 2.50 2.10 76 Norristown, 2.35 1.95 86 Orwigsburg, 2.60 2.15 79^ Conshobocken, 2.45 2.00 89 ScHL. Haven, 2.70 2.20 86- Manayunk, 2.55 2.15 92 Mount Carbon, 2.75 2.25 89J Schl. Viaduct. 2.65 2.20 93 POTTSVILLE, 2.75 2.25 1 93 Philadelphia. 2.75 2.25 Way Trains stop at all the points stated : Express Trains only at those Stations in Small Capitals, and positivelrj at no others. All Passengers -will purchase their tickets before entering the cars. Fifty pounds of Baggage are allowed each Passenger. Passengers are strictly forbidden to stand outside, on the Platforms, while the cars are in motion. Passengers waiting for Way Trains, at Way Points where there is no Railroad Agent, will signal the approaching Trains, otherwise they will not stop. a c c o THE PICTORIAL SKETCH-BOOK OF PENNSYLVANIA. OR ITS SCENERY, INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS, RESOURCES, AND AGRICULTURE, POPULARLY DESCRIBED, BY E LI B OWEN. AUTHOR OF THE " U. S. POST-OFFICE GUIDE," AND LATE OF THE GENERAL POST-OFFICE. Sllustrattll Jnitf) obtr 9tlx)o J^unllrtlJ ESitflrabfn^s, AND A COLORED MAP. PHILADELPHIA: WILLIS P. HAZARD IVS CHESTNUT STREET. 1852. ^^;^;;%'^^-^ i t'ff Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1852, by WILLIS P. HAZARD, in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the United States, for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Stereotyped bySLOTE & Moonet, Philadelphia. C. Sherman, Printer. MRS IokE ^RoOr TO JOHN TUCKER, Esq., PRESIDENT OP THE READING RAILROAD, THE SCHUYLKILL VALLEY RAILROAD, ETC. ETC., THESE SKETCHES OF THE ANTHRACITE COAL REGIONS, AND THEIR PRINCIPAL OUTLET, AKE INSCRIBED AS A SLIGHT INTIMATION OF THE RESPECT WHICH IS ENTERTAINED FOR HIM BY THE THOUSANDS DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY CONNECTED WITH THE COAL TRADE. A WORD BEFORE WE GO. In all parts of Europe the traveller is supplied Tivitli Guide-books, de- tailing, for his special information and satisfaction, the leading features of all objects of interest on his route. There is not an antiquated castle, a battle-field, a mountain, or a river, but has its peculiar points revealed for the entertainment of the stranger, as he rambles along from place to place. No doubt this materially adds to the interest and subsequent value of travel ; and probably constitutes one of the paramount attractions of a tour in Europe, since all its incidents are thus permanently impressed on the mind. In the United States no such conveniences exist ; and this is probably one reason ■why foreigners generally misunderstand and misrepresent us — they are not sufficicjitly informed to give a correct estimate of our re- sources, peculiarities, and institutions. They hastily pass over our rail- ways and rivers, and, for the want of suitable printed-guides, return as profoundly ignorant of the routes traversed as they were at the starting- point — for seeing is not understanding. In her physical aspect and resources, Pennsylvania is pre-eminently the most interesting State in the Union — yet, for the want oi popular descrip- tions and references, her real character is comparatively obscured from the public view. The most intelligent individual may make the tour from the Delaware to the Ohio by railroad, and yet be unable to identify one-half the towns, or mountains, or streams, or otherwise explain correctly the prominent local characteristics of the route traversed. Thousands of persons, of fortune and leisure, owing to this evil, are intimidated from travelling; while many proceed direct to Europe, before visiting the objects of interest in their own immediate land. It was as much with the hope of converting our time to a useful pur- (9) 10 PREFACE. pose, as receiving a reasonable compensation for it, that we undertook to sketch, in a sprightly and popular way, some of the prominent features of our time-honoured Commonwealth. If we have collected together, in tolerable order, a mass of matter that will relieve, to some extent, the fatigue and monotony of travel, our main object has been attained. We may add, that over seventeen hundred dollars have been expended for pictorial illustrations, some of which we can point to as fair specimens of the art. During the particular time we were engaged in the preparation of these pages, however, an unusual activity prevailed among our best wood engravers, in consequence of large orders from the Government. We were, therefore, in several instances, forced to employ artists of ordinary talent — though, upon the whole, we think the reader will find little to complain of under this head. The matter is, what it purports to be, off-hand, and no particular cre- dit is claimed or expected for it. We have profited from the works of others to a greater extent than we should, had our time been less limited. Our acknowledgments are due to the works of the late Prof. Richardson, and to those of Mr. Day, Mr. Trego, and others, from which the matter not strictly original has been mainly extracted. With these explanations our work is done. E. B. N. B. — It is proper to add, that not having corrected the latter portion of this work as it was passing through the press, some errors appear which would not otherwise have occurred. PAET I. f nlUii nf i\}t irliniilkill. PHILADELPHIA TO POTTSVILLE. Starting from the Depot — Preston Retreat — Girard College — Fairmount Waterworks — Lager Beer Establishments — Railroad Bridge — Ice Houses — Tom Moore's Cottage — Laurel Hill Cemetery — Falls of the Schuylkill — Port Richmond — The Wissahickon — Norristown Railroad — Manayunk — The Factory System — Limestone Region — Spring Mill — The Copper Re- gion — The Lead Region — Scenery of the Schuylkill — Conshehocken — Norristown — Montgomery County — Bridgeport — Valley Forge — Historical Associations — Phcenixville — Yellow Springs — Tunnel and Bridge — Royer's Ford — Limerick — Pottstown — Berk's County — Douglassville — Birdsboro' — Reading — Union Canal — Schuylkill Navigation Company — The Reading Railroad Company — Dragon's Cave — Revolutionary Incidents — Ham- burg — Port Clinton — Auburn — Orwigsburg — Schuylkill Haven — Mine Hill Railroad — Head's Mansion House — Pottsville — Speculating Scenes — Swa- tara Falls — Tamaqua — Summit Hill — Gravitation Railroad — Mauch Chunk. PART II. fljB !HiitjiraritB (i^nnl lUginu. Coal, its Nature and Origin — Fossils — Coal Vegetation — The Strata of the Earth — The Dip — Valleys — Discovery of Anthracite Coal — Geographi- cal Position, Dimensions and Strncture of the Coal Basins — Geological (11) 12 CONTENTS. Character of the Coal Formation — Productive Value of Coal Lands — His- tory of Mining Operations — Anthracite for Smelting Iron — Ventillation of Mines and Gaseous Explosions — Fire Damp — Moral Condition of Mi- ners, &c. — Miscellaneous Statistics — Analysis of Anthracite — Weight of Anthracite Coal — General Features of Pennsylvania Anthracite — Com- parative Value of Anthracite and Bituminous Coals — Anthracite Coal Trade of Pennsylvania — Canal and Piaiboad System connected with the Coal Trade. PART III. IBifnmiiig. Route to Wilkesbarre — Luzerne County — Fish and Fishing — Wyoming Valley — Falling Spring — Count Zinzendorf — Contentions among the Set- tlers — Revolutionary Battles — Capture of Miss Slocum — The Ice and Pumpkin Floods — Wyoming Monument. PART IV. ^ljilahl|i'Ijifi to |5itt0tiiirg. Railroad Depot — Gas Works — Market Street Bridge — Blockley Alms House — White Hall — Eagle Hotel — Paoli — Gen. Wayne's Birthplace — Paoli Monument — Downingtown — Coatesville — Parkesburg — Pennington- ville — Chester County — The Quakers — Lancaster County — Its Agricul- ture — Fox Chase — The Brothers and Sisters at Ephrata — Ephrata Springs — Monument at Ephrata — The Conestoga — Safe Harbom* Iron Works — Shad Fishing in the Susquehanna — Steam Navigation Experi- ments — Robert Fulton — Columbia — Pennsylvania Canal — Tide Water Ca- nal — Marietta — Mount Joy — Elizabethtown — Middletown — The Susque- hanna — Harrisburg — The Internal Improvements — State Capitol — John CONTENTS. 13 Hancock's Chair — Public School System — rennsylvania Lunatic Hospi- tal — The Cove — Fish Baskets — Duncannon — Petersburg — Liverpool — Pen-y County — Franklin County — Duncan's Island — Newport — the Juni- ata — Millerstown — Tuscarora — Juniata County — Mifflin — Patterson House — Mifflin County — Lewistown — Reedville — Logan, the Indian Chief — Alfarata — McVey Town — Newton Hamilton — Huntingdon County — Bed- ford County — Mount Union — Mapleton — Mill Creek — Huntingdon — Pul- pit Piocks — Head AVaters of the Juniata — The Iron Region — Union Fur- nace — Birmingham — Ironville — Tyrone — Cornwall Ore Banks — Lebanon Furnaces — Miner's Tools — Manufacture of Iron, amply illustrated — Sink- ing Spring — Tussey's and Bald Eagle Mountains — Tyrone City — Altoona — Pennsylvania Fiailroad — The Mountain House — Ilollidaysburg — The Portage Railroad — Making Maple Sugar — Bridges over the Conemaugh — The Alleghany Bituminous Coal Region — Structure and Origin of the Alleghanies — Conemaugh — Johnstown — Ebensburg — Cambria County — Lockport — Westmoreland County — Ligonier Valley — Packsaddle Rocks — Blairsville — Latrobe — The Lumber Region — Susquehanna Lumber Trade — Salt Springs — Greensburg — Braddock's Battle — Washington Crossing the Alleghany — Pittsburg — Western Commerce and Navigation. PENNSYLVANIA. BY PHILIP FRENEAU. Spread with stupendous hills, far from the main, Fair Pennsylvania holds her golden reign ; In fertile fields her wheaten harvest grows, Charged with its freights her favorite Delaware flows ; From Erie's lake her soil with plenty teems To where the Schuylkill rolls his limpid streams- Sweet stream ! what pencil can thy beauties tell — Where, wandering downward through the woody vale, Thy varying scenes to rural bliss invite, To health and pleasure add a new delight. Here Juniata, too, allures the swain. And gay Cadorus roves along the plain ; Sicatara, tumbling from the distant hill. Steals through the waste, to turn the industrious mill — Where'er those floods through groves or mountain strav. That God of nature still directs the way ; With fondest care has traced each river's bed, And mighty streams thro' mighty forests led ; Bade agriculture thus export her freight. The strength and glory of this favored State. She, famed for science, arts, and polished men, Admires her Franklin, but adores her Penn, (15) 16 PENNSYLVANIA. Who wandering here, made barren forests bloom, And the new soil a happier robe assume : He planned no schemes that virtue disapproves, He robbed no Indian of his native groves, But, just to all, beheld his tribes increase, Did what he could to bind the world in peace, And, far retreating from a selfish band. Bade Freedom flourish in this foreign land. Gay towns unnumbered shine through all her plains, Here every art its happiest height attains : The graceful ship, on nice proportions planned. Here finds perfection from the builder's hand, To distant worlds commercial visits paj'-s. Or war's bold thunder o'er the deep conveys. OPr-HAND SKETCHES PART I. ; ssy kind in the 'ijjt Imlbtj nf \\)t IrjjntjlltilL Let us, since life can little else supply, Than just to look around us, and to die, Expatiate free o'er all this scene of man — A mighty maze, but not without fi plan ; A wild, where weeds and flov/ers promiscuous shoot, Or garden, tempting with forbidden fruit. Together let us roam this ample field — Try what the open, what the covert yield ; Eye Nature's walks — shoot folly as it flies. And catch the manners, living, as they rise ; Laugh where we must — -be candid where we can, But always vindicnto the ways of God to man! ROM Philadelphia to Potta- ville, Tamaqua and Mauch Chunk, thence to Wilkes- barre, in Wyoming ; — this is thejourney before us. Hav- ing seated ourselves in the comfortable cars of the Read- ing Railroad Company, the first object which arrests our attention, after leaving the depot at Broad near Callow- hill street, is the Preston Retreat, a fine marble build- ing on our right ; we then catch glimpses of the Eastern Penitentiary, which served as a model for European Institutions of a like char- §; acter, and of Girard College, the finest building of the United States, and one of the finest in the world. C (17) 18 OTF-HAND SKETCHES. GIRAED COLLEGE. Shortly after which we see, on our left, the Fairmount Water-works, and although a notice of it is not strictly within the range of this work, it may nevertheless prove interesting to many to learn some- thing of its leading features, especially as it was the first establish- ment of the kind ever erected in the United States ; and, in point of boldness of conception and romantic profile, probably inferior to none in any quarter of the globe. The first water-works were commenced in 1799. A steam-engine was placed in Chestnut street, near the Schuylkill, by means of which the water was elevated to a basin in Penn square, and from thence distributed to the city in wooden pipes. The quantity of water thus obtained was soon found to be entirely too small to supply the increasing demand, and the works were abandoned in 1815, after nearly $700,000 had been spent upon them. In 181G the works at Fairmount were commenced, the water being again raised by steam to an elevated reservoir. Steam was found too expensive, and arrangements were adopted in 1818, by which the water-power of the river was applied. A dam was erected in a diagonal course across the river, securing a head of water nearly thirty feet in depth, and conducted to the mill-houses, on the eastern side of the stream, as represented in the engraving on the opposite page. Here the water PAIR MOUNT WATER -WORKS 19 I'Ail'.JIOL'Nt \V AT IlK- WORKS. is forced up to tlie reservoir, elevated about one hundred feet above the level of the river, and fifty feet above the highest ground in the city. The reservoir, -when full, contains twelve feet of water, and is capable of holding over twenty-two millions of gallons. There are eighty-three miles of water-pipe laid down in the city, exclu- sive of the works of Spring Garden and the Northern Liberties, which probably have an equal extent in the adjoining districts of the city proper. The daily average consumption of water, from these works, is nearly five million gallons. Their total cost was $1,615,169, and they were designed and executed by the late Frederick Grafi", to whose memory a handsome monument is erected in the grounds fronting on the Schuylkill, from a design by his son. The comparison between the present works and the old steam- works, is greatly to the advantage of the former. It was not pos- sible, with the steam-engines, to raise one million two hundred and fifty thousand gallons per day — whereas, the present works, with only three wheels, can readily raise three times this amount, without any increase of expense. But if the same quantity were required to be raised by additional steam-engines, the annual expense would probably be at least $75,000. In other words, the expense of raising three hundred and seventy-five thousand gallons per day, by steam, would be $206 — by water, it is only $4. In this estimate, the first cost of the steam-engines or of the water-power is not considered. Those works are eminently worth a visit from the stranger. They are delightfully situated, and present a view, in connection with sur- rounding objects, of rare beauty and spirit. Tlio wire-bridge, stretch- 20 OFF-HANDSKETCHES. ing across the Schuylkill, is also an interesting object, and is prob- ably one of the most complete structures of the kind, as we believe it was one of the first, ever erected in the United States. The ac- companying sketch exhibits a faithful view of the Water-works and Wire-bridge, as seen from the opposite side of the river. Within the suburbs of the city, scattered along the rail-road, several " lager beer" establishments will be noticed. These breweries are all of very recent origin, and lager beer is, to many, an unknown beverage. It is a German drink, of which they are very fond, and is similar in taste and appearance to porter, but is said to have none of its deleterious qualities. It is a weak, bitter, but not unpleasant beer, containing an abundance of hops. It derives its peculiar value and flavor from storage in vaults, as the word "lager" sufficiently implies. The longer it is stored, the finer becomes its quality. The vicinity of Fairmount has lately become the fountain-head of this description of manufacture, and it is consequently a favorite resort for Germans, who, ranged around their little square tables, with cigars, pipes, newspapers and glass-mugs of lager, Mingle o'er their friendly bowl, ' The feast of reason and the flow of soul. As we pass Fairmount, the river Schuylkill, with its green banks, soft verdure, and rich foliage, is brought into view — the rail-road, until it crosses the bridge, diverging along its eastern bank. Here a number of spacious warehouses will be noticed, built directly along the water's edge, and afi'ording access for carts by means of scafibld- ing erected to their upper stories. These are ice-houses. They are built with much care, the walls filled in with tan-bark to exclude the air, and capable of storing an immense quantity of ice. The manner of collecting and storing the ice is very simple, and is fully illus- trated in the accompanying engraving. Of late years, the storage and shipment of ice has become a very considerable item of trade. A large quantity is required for the consumption of the city, but in addition to this, no inconsiderable amount is shipped to the South, as well as to foreign countries where the climate forbids its production. Vessels freighted with ice always obtain a return load, and thereby a judicious exchange of local com- modities is eifected with points where, under other circumstances, our trade would probably be less extensive, and our communication ^t«v^"''■■- CROSSING THE SCHUYLKILL. 23 CUTTING ICE ON THE SCHUYLKILL. less frequent. Our eastern neighbors, always the first in the market •with their "notions," have now a serious competitor in Philadelphia in this branch of commerce. In seasons of scarcity, ice is brought down the Schuylkill, in the spring, from the mountain regions of Schuylkill county, where, the climate being somewhat colder, and the streams less impregnated with sediment, it attains a good thickness, as well as a pure and transparent quality. On the Schuylkill, it usually attains a thick- ness of from four to twelve or more inches, and is probably unrivalled for the purity of its mineral composition, and freedom from foreign and deleterious substances. Its color varies from snowy opaqueness to translucency, and sometimes to the most beautiful watery trans- parency. As we pass over the splendid rail-road bridge, a very interesting object presents itself A beautiful little island, overgrown with tall and slender trees, nestles in the midst of the river, and immediately in front of it, on the western shore, is situated an unique cottage, built of stone, and apparently of some antiquity. In front of the cottage are two old trees, wrinkled and gnarled, like the furrows in an old man's face. This cottage is now a rough and dilapidated affair, but it was once the temporary residence of the late Thomas Moore, the celebrated Irish poet. It bears the rather unpoctic name of " Pig's Eye," but to many is known as Tom Moore's cottage. We entered the house while our friend Brightly Avas sketching it, -4 OFF-IIANDSKETCHES. and found it indeed a relic of the past. The ceilings, ■which have never been plastered, reveal the rough joists, now blackened with smoke and greasy rust, while the occupants complained of the con- dition of the roof, which leaks badly. The cottage appeared other- wise warm and comfortable, as answering the humble pretensions of the lessee. But we thought there was some reason for his com- plaint against the landlord, who failed to put it in tenantable order, after receiving two months' rent in advance. If properly fitted up, it might still serve as the abode of the muse, — but, alas ! it can never again return to the scenes of its former glory. It is about forty-five years since Mr. Moore visited this country ; and the changes which have been made during this time, are probably no less striking elsewhere than on this spot. At that time, this little cot was sur- rounded with a comparative wilderness, the abode of merry warblers and of wild-flowers ; — the Schuylkill yet flowed in undisturbed tran- quillity, and its peaceful shores were fragrant with the rich profusion of its foliage. It was a spot well calculated to tempt the poet from the noisy scenes of the town, and no less calculated to lend inspiration to the harp which has given such celebrity to his melodies. " I went to America," (says the poet, after his return to Europe, ) " with pre- possessions by no means unfavorable, and indeed rather indulged in many of those illusive ideas with respect to the purity of the government and the primi- tive happiness of the people, which I had early imbibed in my native country, where, unfortunately, discontent at home enhances every distant temptation, and the western world has long been looked to as a retreat for real or imaginary op- pression ; as, in short, the Elysian Atlantis, where persecuted patriots might find their visions realized, and be welcomed by kindred spirits to liberty and repose. In all these flattering expectations I found myself completely disappointed, and felt inclined to say to America, as Horace says to his mistress, "intentata nites." Brissot, in the preface to his travels, observes that * freedom in that country is carried to so high a degree as to border upon a state of nature ;' and there cer- tainly is a close approximation to savage life, not only in the liberty which they enjoy, but in the violence of party spirit, and of private animosity which results from it The rude familiarity of the lower orders, and indeed the unpol- ished state of society in general, would neither surprise nor disgust if they seemed to flow from that simplicity of character, that honest ignorance of the gloss of refinement, which may be looked for in a new and inexperienced people. Eut, when we find them arrived at maturity in most of the vices, and all the l>ride of civilization, while they are still so far removed from its higher and 3 TOM M gore's cottage. 27 belter characteristics, it is impossible not to feel that this youthful decay, this crude anticipation of the natural period of corruption, must repress every san- guine hope of the future energy and greatness of America." During his brief sojourn on the green banks of the Schuylkill, the poet produced several choice eJBTusions ; but it is to be regretted that these gems are associated with so much that, for his own high reputa- tion, had better been " left unsung." In his poem addressed to the Hon. W. K. Spencer, he speaks thus disparagingly of us : All that creation's varying mass assumes Of grand or lovely, here aspires and blooms ; Bold rise the mountains, rich the gardens glow, Bright lakes expand, and conquering rivers flow ; But mind, immortal mind, without whose ray This world 's a wilderness and man but clay ; Mind, mind alone in barren, still repose, Nor blooms, nor rises, nor expands, nor flows. Take Christians, Mohawks, Democrats, and all — Prom the rude wigwam to the Congress hall — From man the savage — whether slaved or free, — To man the civUized, less tame than he, — 'Tis one dull chaos, one unfertile strife Betwixt half-polished, and half-barbarous life ; Where every ill the ancient world could brew Is mixed with every grossness of the new, — Where all corrupts, though little can entice. And naught is known of luxury but its vice. In his sweeping denunciations of the American character, he spares only the " sacred few" whom he met in Philadelphia: Yet, yet forgive me, oh ye sacred few. Whom late by Delaware's green banks I knew; Whom, known and loved through many a social eve, 'Twas bliss to live with, and 'twas pain to leave. ****** Believe me, Spencer, while I winged the hours Where Schuylkill winds his way through banks of flowers, Though few the days, the happy evenings few. So warm with heart, so rich with mind they flew, That my charmed soul forgot its wish to roam, And rested there, as in a, dream of home. 28 OFF-HAND SKETCHES. The following lines purport to have been written on leaving Philadelphia : Alone by the Schuylkill a wanderer roved, And bright were its flowery banks to his eye ; But far, very far were the friends that he loved, And he gazed on its flowery banks with a sigh. Oh Nature, though blessed and bright are thy rays, 'er the brow of creation enchantingly thrown, Yet faint are they all to the lustre that plays In a smile from the heart that is fondly our own. Nor long did the soul of the stranger remain Unblessed by the smile he had languished to meet ; Though scarce did he hope it would soothe him again. Till the threshold of home had been pressed by his feet. But the lays of his boyhood had stolen to their ear, And they loved what they knew of so humble a name; And they told him, with flattery welcome and dear, That they found in his heart something better than fame. Nor did woman — oh woman ! whose form and whose soul Are the spell and the light of each path we pursue; Whether sunned in the tropics or chilled at the pole. If woman be there, there is happiness too ; — Nor did she her enamoring magic deny ; — That magic his heart had relinquished so long, — Like eyes he had loved was her eloquent eye. Like them did it soften and weep at his song. Oh, blessed be the tear, and in memory oft. May its sparkle be shed o 'er the wanderer's dream ; Thrice blessed be that eye, and may passion as soft. As free from a pang, ever mellow its beam ! The stranger is gone — but he will not forget. When at home he shall talk of the toils he has known, To tell, with a sigh, what endearments he met. As he strayed by the banks of the Schuylkill alone ! It was also during his lonely rambles on the banks of the Schuyl- kill that the following beautiful ballad stanzas were written — most probably while contemplating some neighboring cottage : I knew by the smoke, that so gracefully curled Above the green elms, that a cottage was near ; And I said, " If there 's peace to be found in the world, A heart that was humble might hope for it here !" LAURELHILLCEiMETERY. 31 It was noon, and on flowers that languished around In silence reposed the voluptuous bee ; Every leaf was at rest, and I heard not a sound But the woodpecker tapping the hollow beech-tree. And " Here, in this lone little wood," I exclaimed, " With a maid who was lovely to soul and to eye, Who would blush when I praised her, and weep if I blamed, How blest could I live, and how calm could I die !" By the shade of yon sumach, whose red berry dips In the gush of the fountain, how sweet to recline, And to know that I sighed upon innocent lips. Which had never been sighed on by any but mine ! Whatever may be thought of the justness of Mr. Moore's estimate of our country forty-fivo years ago, it hardly needs comment now. The poet, then young and inexperienced, lived long enough to form different and more correct opinions. It is but a few months since he died, after lingering, for a considerable time, in a melancholy and imbecile state of mind. Whatever his sentiments may have been, subsequently to his visit to this country, as to the state of American civilization, literature, and the arts, is now perfectly immaterial ; — for, as a nation and a people, we have lived long enough to learn a little, and have not been without opportunities of illustrating our progress. We have paid our respects to old England in various ways, and at sundry times ; — and there can be no doubt but that she knoios us. Whatever our progress is, she finds it no child's play to keep up with us, whether on land or sea. As for poor Ireland — she, too, has heard from us, and whether we be " savages," "democrats," or "poets," she probably has a correct idea of the extent of our pro- ductive resources, if not of our benevolence. The spirit that can prompt generous feelings in one case, can supply it in all cases. No matter what the bard thought of us, we had a good opinion of him ; and the day will never dawn when American hearts will cease to beat to his happy strains. After leaving the cottage, we pass on to the Falls of Schuylkill, some six miles from the city. On our right, .on the other or eastern side of the river, is Laurel Hill Cemetery, one of the most lovely and inviting spots of the kind in this country. So popular has this necropolis of the dead become, that the company has been obliged to increase its area, and several adjacent tracts of land have accord- 32 OFF-HAND SKETCHES. ingly been added to it. Many strangers own lots in this beautiful Cemetery, and some of its handsomest tombs and monuments have been erected over the remains of eminent men who served their country in important public capacities. We give an accurate view of a portion of the grounds from an original sketch just taken, as also a view of the grand entrance. eti/Gfi TL Ytin . ^^^. — =. ■'-^ ENTRANCE TO LAUREL HILL. The Falls of the Schuylkill were so called, because, in former times, before the erection of the Fairmount dam, they were quite percep- tible, but have since entirely disappeared. The Reading Railroad makes a fork at this point — one branch crossing the river by a splendid bridge, and extending to Port Rich- mond on the Delaware ; the other branch extending to the city, over which we have just passed. The road to Port Richmond is about five miles in length, and it is at this place that the great bulk of the coal l)rought down by the Reading Railroad is shipped. The facilities for this purpose are of the most extensive and admirable character. The- wharves are extended a considerable distance into the river, over r: n tit > a P R T R I C II M N D . 37 ■which the railroad is prolonged into numerous lateral branches, sup- ported on strong tressel-works. The loaded cars are hauled to the water's edge, where large apartments are erected for the storage of the coal. These apartments lie under the tressel-works, the bottoms of which descend, with a slight inclination, over the water's edge. The contents of the cars are discharged from the bottom, (being con- structed expressly for that purpose,) and the coal falls directly into the proper apartments below, assigned for the different sizes and qualities. A vessel, therefore, to be loaded, has merely to be drawn up to the wharf, under the projecting spout of the coal apartments, when a wicket is raised, and the coal issues out in one continuous stream. The operation of unloading the car, and of loading a vessel, is consequently very simple ; yet the contrivance, in its original con- ception, is one of great practical merit, saving annually, as it does, a large amount of money and time. The engraving illustrates the pro- cess just described, at the same time that it conveys an idea of the extent of the business of shipping the coal at Port Richmond. The Reading Railroad, after many years of hard struggling, has laid down a foundation for future success as broad, and practical, and compre- hensive, as it was possible for human industry and ingenuity to devise. The earnings of the company, amidst all its former embar- rassments, were, in a great measure, necessary to its complete equip- ment. To make ii productive, accommodations corresponding with the stupendous trade of the road had to be provided ; and this, too, in the midst of its darkest and most trying history. But the improve- ments are now made and completed, and stand forth as shining monuments to the energy and well-directed management of the road. On our return to the Schuylkill, we shall diverge into the city, and " see what is to be seen" on the Philadelphia and Norristown Rail- road, which, on the opposite shore of the river, runs parallel with the Reading Railroad from the Falls to Norristown, and embraces nearly every object of interest between those two places. The first object that strikes ns, in connection with this road, is a new, elegant, and imposing one, viz. : the depot situated at the corner of Ninth and Green streets. This handsome edifice has just been completed, at a cost of some 810,000. It is, in many points of view, a model of archi- tectural skill — combining the practical with the ornamental, at the lowest possible cost. The business of this road, extending from 38 OFF-HAND SKETCH K:<>. PHILADELPHIA AND NORRISTOWN RAILROAD DEPOT. Philadelphia to Norristown, with a branch to Germantown, is rap- idly increasing, and has been the instrument of scattering along the route it traverses an active, intelligent, and enterprising population. The trade, of course, is mainly local, including the conveyance of passengers. Many of the business men of Philadelphia have summer residences in the vicinity of the road, while others permanently reside in the country. These, added to the ordinary movements of the dense population along the route, make the conveyance of pas- sengers an important item, which must annually increase with the progressive increase of business. The road, a short distance from the city, passes over the Port Richmond branch of the Reading Railroad, and soon after appears at the point from which we diverged, viz : the Falls of Schuylkill, a view of which is annexed. The extensive buildings lying at the western end of the village, between the railroad and the river, comprise the chemical works of Messrs. Weightman, Harrison & Co. The greater portion of the population is supported by these large and splendid works, the proprietors of which have an establishment, equally extensive, in the city. Phila- delphia is justly distinguished for its chemical productions, and the firm above mentioned probably stands at the head of this description of manufacture — one of the most complicated and arduous, we may add, that human industry and capital could embark in. i'Sli,,, ||iii|ii|l|i!ll!!m| I III ■ i |l| ll 'iM . I ,„ ,::i!ilii;iil i;iil,i' THE WISSAHICKON. 41 The vicinity of the Falls is much frequented, in the summer time, by the citizens of the town. They ride out here to obtain an airing. The romantic and picturesque Wissahickon empties into the Schuyl- kill a short distance above the village, and this is the principal source of attraction. Its banks are bold and rocky, overgrown with stately trees, whose shade affords a cool retreat from the heat, and dust, and parched and sultry avenues of the city. There are several hotels, or places of refreshment, both in the village and on the Wissahickon, and there is no lack of material to gratify or amuse the visitor. The drive from the city is very refreshing — the road being remarkably smooth, and studded all along with handsome cottages and tasteful scenery, as well as objects of historical and general interest. It is THE niGH BRIDGE ACROSS THE WISSAHICKON. customary to enjoy the ride late in the afternoon, before dusk, while many drive out to partake of the celebrated " catfish and coffee," and return by " the light of the moon." Riding by horse-back, both for ladies and gentlemen, is in these days one of the requisites of a polite education ; — and the taste for the exercise is indulged to the fullest extent — though there is still a corresponding number of vehicles, some of them splendid equipages, to be met on the road. Pic-nic parties are very frequent in this quarter, and the arrange- ments of the Norristown Railroad are no less complete for their accommodation than the attractions of the grounds. 42 OFF'lIANDSKETCHES. The engraving on page 41 exhibits a view of the Norristovrn Railroad bridge across tiie Wissahickon, near its junction with the Scliuylkill. The bridge is a fine specimen of architecture, and viewed in connec- tion with the adjacent scenery, is probably one of the most picturesque scenes to be found in this quarter of the State. It stands seventy- five feet above the level of the water, and is abovit three hundred feet in length. The entire route of this rail-road, from Philadelphia to NoiTistown, is full of beautiful and varied scenery, nearly every inch of which is identified, in some way or other, with historical as- sociations more or less interesting. From Fairmount to Mauayunk, there is a succession of smiling villas, handsome grounds, and unique cottages, — while the hum and rattle of the loom and the shuttle, the clinking of the hammer, the grit of the saw-mill, the steam and blaze of the numerous iron works and manufactories, no less than the general life and bustle of the way-side, keep the visitor continu- ally on the qui vice of excitement. About one mile beyond the Wissahickon is Manayunk, situated on the east side of the river. It is the seat of very extensive and varied manufactures — embracing cotton and woollen factories, flour and paper mills, furnaces, machine shops, &c. The town owes its origin and onward progress entirely to the facilities afi'orded by the Rail- road, and the Schuylkill canal, which passes directly through the principal street, and supplies the water-power for all its manufactur- ing establishments. Some of these establishments are among the oldest in the United States, having been commenced in 1819, upon the completion of the canal, and when the present site of the place was overgrown with trees and wild bushes. At that time, Mana- yunk, with some other points lower down, was an excellent spot for shad-fishing ; — but since the erection of the dams in the Schuylkill, this splendid fish has ceased its periodical visits to these waters, and the business, once very considerable, is now entirely discontinued. The present population of Manayunk is probably about seven thousand — almost every person, of both sexes, being engaged in the industrial interest of the place. It was our desire to have presented a view of the interior of a cotton factory, and for that purpose, in company with our artist, we waited on one of the principal factors in that place. Without deigning to see us, he refused to give us admis- sion, and the refusal was couched in terms so sharp and contemptu- M A X A Y r N K . 43 MANAYUNK. ous, that it naturally suggested a few thoughts as to the moral and social tendencies of the factory system in our country. We never before realized to the extent we did on this occasion, the haughty and austere manner, the cold, biting dignity, which a commanding position over two or three hundred poor operatives, is calculated to impress on some individuals. While we are free to admit tho ad- vantages which those establishments are capable of conferring, it is not to be disguised that, in the hands of some men, they may be con- verted into engines of great social oppression. The spirit of enter- prise which induces our citizens to make large investments in the industrial pursuits, cannot be too highly admired and extolled ; but the motives which subsequently turn some of them into uncouth and selfish nabobs, are altogether unworthy the character of a gentleman or a republican. The most prominent evils attending the factory system in this country, are the natural results of capital, combined with a specida- tive purpose, to which the factory is made subservient and subordi- nate. Thus, an individual with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, purchases a favorable location for a foctory— no matter ^vhat kind— which is to employ from one to three hundred operatives. The location we will suppose to comprise one hundred acres of land, for which five thousand dollars are paid cash, and the remainder upon a credit of twelve months. The factory buildings are now 44 OFF-HAND SKETCHES. commenced, which will absorb fifteen thousand dollars— one-half to be paid cash, the remainder upon credit. In the meantime, the tract of one hundred acres is laid off into town lots, and twenty or thirty tenements erected, at a cost of four thousand dollars — one-half cash. Thus far about $28,000 have been expended, of which one-half is credit. From ten to thirty thousand dollars are yet required to equip the factory with the necessary machinery, — say $20,000, and we have a total expenditure of upwards of $50,000. There now remains a capital of $50,000 additional to purchase stock, and as a fund to carry on the mill, which is set in operation at high loages for the operatives, and under favourable auspices to attract mechanics, labourers and tradesmen to the village. A brisk demand for houses and lota ensues, and the greater the demand the gi-eater becomes the value — ergo, in a short time probably more than one hundred thou- sand dollars will have been realized from the sales and rents of houses and lots, and thus, without reference to the immediate pro- ductions of the fixctory, a handsome fortune has been realized from a comparatively small investment. As soon as this manoeuvre is terminated, and when the village is filled to repletion, another card is to be played. The factory cannot be conducted with profit under high rates of wages — the prices of labor must be reduced, or the works suspend operation. Here ensues a panic — a general stag- nation of all the affairs of the village. Many will sell out their houses and lots at a sacrifice, and move away ; others will seek new employments, while, in the meantime, some will work on at reduced wages. The speculator now again makes his appearance, and it is not long before a large number of lots are in his possession, and thus, probably to a less extent than before, the same speculation is acted over. We would not create the inference that our factory system gener- ally is under the influence of such speculative movements ; but we mention this as one of the evils which have hitherto surrounded it, and which have, in a great measure, crippled its operations, and raised an amount of political opposition which could not, under other circumstances, exist. But, independent of this, there are other objections, arising from the centripetal agency of such establislmients in attracting around them the necessary operatives, always consti- tuting a population more or less numerous. As this population is solely dependent upon the "lord of the loom," it is liable to be THE LIMESTONE REGION. 45 thrown into idleness at his whim or caprice, and thus a general de- preciation of their condition and prospects ensues, while frequently industrious and virtuous families are exposed to want and suffering. Labor is not only degraded by such means, but it is robbed of its just reward, and, as a natural consequence, children of both sexes are driven, by the necessities of their condition, into the factory, where they earn a bare subsistence at the same time that they secure pre- mature graves. It is impossible to contemplate the condition of these operatives without arriving at the conclusion that there is somethinn- morally wrong in the system, as well as socially inconsistent with the spirit of our institutions. ■' Y^^sM^-^ ANTHRACITE FURXACE ABOVE MANATUNK. A short distance above Manayunk is one of the most extensive anthracite furnaces in Pennsylvania. It is situated on the east bank of the Schuylkill, and presents a spirited scene when viewed from the Reading Railroad, on the opposite side of the river, especially in the evening, when the flames issue from the chimneys illuminating the whole establishment in their red glare. These works have been in operation for several years, notwithstanding the recent depression of the iron market, which prostrated a large number of furnaces in the valley of the Schuylkill. As we shall elsewhere make some remarks in reference to the manufacture of iron, we must forbear touching upon that point in this connection. With the exception of the natural scenery along the Schuylkill, there is little of interest or importance until we reach the great lime- stone region which traverses a large area of the south-eastern counties of Pennsylvania. This limestone formation is a continuation of tho 46 OFF-HANDSK ETCHES. g^eat valley of Chester county, and constitutes, by far, its most 'ni- portant feature. It occupies a position in the stratified primary group, and teems with narrow belts and valleys, adapting it for suc- cessful culture as well as for excavation. The largest beds of lime- stone are met alx>ve Spring Mill, and alternate in subordinate ridges and valleys of denudation for some distance above Norristown, where the hills of the Mine llidge, somewhat flattened down, rise through and cut ofi" the basin. The limestone is not uniform in quality, but the lime produced from it is, upon the whole, highly esteemed, and probably the best argument in its favor is the immense quantity an- nually produced and shipped for the supply of Philadelphia and LIME KILNS NEAR SPRING MILL. other points more distant. At various points along the Schuylkill, especially near Spring Mill, Conshehocken, and Port Kennedy, there are very extensive quarries, where kilns have been erected for burn- ing the stone — the canal and railroads, on both side of the river, affording excellent facilities for transporting the lime to market, as well as for supplying the kilns with fuel. The lime kilns are large and substantial, but erected without much regard to ornament. They are generally placed on the slope of a hill, so as to allow the limestone to be hauled to and thrown in at the top. The stones, as placed in the kiln, form an arch over the hearth, with sufficient space between the alternate layers of stone and coal to permit the heat to penetrate and decompose them. The stones are thus thoroughly roasted, and in duo time crumble into powder or small white parti- cles, in which state the lime is in a marketable condition. Spring Mill receives its name from a superb spring, which bubbles LIME AND LIMESTONE. 47 up with great force in the midst of a beautiful grove of trees. The water is as clear as crystal, through which the pebbles at the bottom, some thirty feet, can be distinctly seen. It is quite cold in the warm- est weather. v . . „ Limestone Is the general name applied to all massive varieties ot carbonate of lime, that form beds of great extent, or mountains. Calcspar is carbonate of lime in its purest state. It is generally transparent or translucent, the faces of the crystals sometimes very brilliant, but the bases of the hexagonal prism are always opaque. Its color varies, sometimes perfectly colorless, often of a topaz or honey yellow, and sometimes grey or reddish. Exposed to the blow- pipe, carbonate of lime does not swell nor fall to powder, but becomes white and caustic— it is then quick-lime; some varieties are phos- phorescent when heated, and shine with a pale yellow light. Satin- spar consists of fine parallel fibres, either straight or waved, and has a silky lustre ; it fills small veins in limestone rock, the fibres laying across the vein. There is a particular kind of limestone containing a large proportion of bitumen, which, when rubbed or scratched by any hard substance, or slightly heated, gives out a strong fetid odor. Chalk is carbonate of lime of an earthy texture. It forms the dig's along the south-east coast of England, which acquired for that island the name of Albion. Chalk formations are not often met with in the United States, though it probably exists to some extent. Hockinilk resembles chalk, but it is much more tender. It is found in the clefts of mountains, where it is deposited by water containing calca- reous particles. Stalactites are sometimes transparent, and have the crystalline structure of calcspar; sometimes they consist of parallel layers of difi"erent shades of color. This rock is often employed for vases and slabs, under the names of alabaster and omjx marble. Stalactites are constantly forming in nearly all rich limestone forma- tions of a cavernous structure. In the district of Port Kennedy, a few years ago, an extensive cavern was reached, where the process of the accumulation of stalactitic matter was illustrated. They are produced from the drippings of minute particles of calcareous matter, from water which percolates through the roof or sides of the rocks. When a small quantity of moisture arrives at the inner surface of the roof, before a drop is formed sufficiently large to fall by its own weight, a portion of it evaporates, and a rim-shaped film of solid matter is left adhering to the rock. Every succeeding drop 48 OFF-HAND SKETCHES. increases the thickness of this film, until at length a slender tube is formed, which is constantly increased in thickness as well as in length. In general, the interior is quickly filled up, and becomes perfectly solid ; but sometimes the stalactites are hollow throughout a great part of their length. At Port Kennedy, where the process of formation had been interrupted while yet in its incipient stages, the stalactites coated the interior rocks with irregular thin fibres, in some cases forming conical arches, with borders of variegated color, and in others forming pyramids on the floor. The cavern was an object of considerable curiosity during the brief period it was open to visitors, and its numerous chambers presented an aggregate area fully equal to many of our largest public buildings. A concert was held in one of its largest saloons, on the fourth of July, 1846, at which several hundred persons were present. The limestone formations of this State, at numerous points, afford several varieties of superior marble. The eastern portion of the state, drained by the Schuylkill, is particularly rich in this valuable mineral, and finds a cheap and easy outlet to market. Much of the marble used for building purposes, as well as for monuments and articles of furniture, is obtained within a range of from ten to twenty- five miles around Philadelphia. The extensive buildings comprising the Girard College, were in part constructed from marble obtained in this neighborhood. There are several productive quarries in Lan- caster and other counties ; but those of Chester and Montgomery are the most extensive and abundant. Some of these quarries are over one hundred and fifty feet in depth, and powerful levers are used to hoist the massive pieces from their beds. At Conshehocken there is an extensive marble mill, where the rough pieces are sawed into patterns to suit the demands of the market. It is worthy of remark, that the edges of our limestone basins usually afford a marble of conglomerated character, beautifully variegated in color, similar to a variety of the Potomac marble, or to that constituting the interior pillars of the House of Representatives at "Washington. This marble is a sedimentary deposit, the various pebbles being cemented together by the calcareous matter of which it is composed. Though ex- tremely hard, it is, in some places, susceptible of the finest polish, and the reflection of the atoms upon the polished surface, at first glance, gives the impression of roughness, which is only dispelled by rubbing your hand upon it. A fine deposit of this peculiar rock lies T H E C O P P E R R E a I N . 49 near BainbriJge, in Lancaster county ; also near Reading, in Berks county, -while it is elsewhere met with along the borders of our lime- stone beds, in the vicinity of slate and shale. This extensive region of limestone, which occupies, in numerous distinct belts or basins, a large portion of the area of what is termed the Atlantic slope is also associated with several useful metals, as the ores of copper, iron, lead, chrome, &c. The region of copper is principally north of the Mine Ridge— (the first chain of elevation met with proceeding in a north-west course,) and outcrops at various points in Pennsylvania, between New Jersey and Mary- land, which States it also penetrates. The most extensive deposit is probably in Adams county, where ample preparations for mining have recently been made, in the immediate vicinity of Gettysburg. Mining exploitations were also conducted, until lately, in the vicinity of Pottstown, but the ore was not found to be sufficiently productive to justify the continuation of the enterprize. More recently, opera- tions have been commenced near Valley Forge, and the probability is, that they will prove successful. In various other points attention has been directed to this vast mineral formation, and the time is evidently not inr distant, when the eastern portion of Pennsylvania will be as noted for its mines of copper and lead, as other parts of the State now are for their inexhaustible and extraordinary deposits of coal and iron. Nat ice Copper. — Like most of the native metals, it crystallizes iu the octa- hedral system ; but perfect crystals are seldom met with. It occurs sometimes in very large masses, hut most frequently in branching and leaf-like forms, scattered among the veinstone, or penetrating it; and the surface of these rami- fications is often thinly coated with green carbonate of copper, or tarnished with a brown color. In general it is very nearly pure copper, and has the color, hardness, and malleability of the refined metal, as we are accustomed to see it— sometimes it contains a minute proportion of silver.— (Varley's Mineralogy) Lake Superior is the most extensive region in the world for the production of native copper. In some parts of that region, the copper is penetrated by threads of pure silver, and grains of the same metal are scattered through it— a circumstance which has never been observed elsewhere. Its softness and ready solubility in every kind of acid, and in ammonia, distinguish copper from the few metallic minerals which at all resemble it. Copper is one of the metals that has been known and worked from the earliest period; — alloyed with tin, its hardness is much in- creased ; and this alloy proved the various kinds of bronze of which armor, 5 G oO OFF-HAN DSKETCHES. weapons, knives, and other tools were manufactured by the former inhabitants of both the old and the new continent. Axes and knives from the tombs of the ancient Peruvians and Mexicans, chisels found in the quarries of Egypt, and Roman and Gaulish swords of great antiquity, have been analj'zed, an 1 foun i to contain from 75 to 96 per cent, of copper alloyed with tin. — (lb.) In the mines of Lake Superior tools and implements, and marks of previous workings, have been found, which can only be attributed to a race far anterior to the present era of the human family. The mines of New Jersey were worked by the first settlers long anterior to the Revolution. Euby Copper. — [Red Oxyde of Copper.) — This substance is of a fine crimson color, sometimes almost black, with vitreous lustre, ranging from semi-trans- parent to nearly opaque. It is brittle, and about as hard as fluorspar, with a specific gravity of 5 '6. It is often intermixed with native copper, but seldom with the other ores of this metal. Tile ore is a variety which is intermixed with oxyde of iron and other impurities, and forms thin flattish masses, some- thing like dark colored tiles. Black Oxyde of Copper — which is more oxydated than the preceding species, occurs in the form of a fine black powder, or in small masses of an earthy tex- ture, with some other copper ores. Both this and ruby copper are easily reduced on charcoal to metallic copper. Sulplmrets of Coj^per. — There are several combinations of sulphur with copper, some of which are valuable ores. Copper Glance — or vitreous copper ore — has a dark steel, gray color, and when freshly broken, a perfectly metallic lustre; but the exterior is often black and dull. It is most generally found in masses Avithout any regular form, or filling small veins. This is the richest of all the Eulphurets of copper, afibrding 75 per cent, of metal, and being in general very free from any other. It has been met with in some of the Cornish copper mines, but only in small quantity — but in the Ural mountains it is an object of exten- sive exploitation, occurring there in nodules of various sizes, disseminated in veins of clay and gravel. Variegated Copper Ore. — This was long considered to be the same substance as copper pyrites, of which the surface was tarnished ; but it difiers from it in con- taining less iron and sulphur, alToi-ding about 60 per cent, of copper, while cop- per pyrites does not yield more than 33 or 34. It is softer than the latter, and the color much redder — and it is less easily fusible than copper glance. Co])per Pyrites. — ( Yellow Coppier Ore) — is the most abundant of the English copper mines. Its color is that of brass, and its lustre perfectly metallic and shining, particularly when fresh broken. It is easily scratched by a knife; differing, in this character, from iron pyrites, which is much harder. Groups of small crystals are often sprinkled over other substances, as quartz, calcspar, fluorspar, galena, and blende. "When pure, copper pyrites consist of sulphur 35-87, copper 34'40, and iron 30-47. Copper pyrites form veins in granite, THELEADREGION. 51 slate, and other rocks, sometimes filling them entirely, sometimes distributed in irregular masses varying in size, and occasionally weighing some hundreds of pounds. drnij Copper Ore. — The composition of this ore varies exceedingly in different localities ; but it still presents nearly the same appearance — a light gray me- tallic substance. It consists principally of sulphurct of copper, antimony, and iron, with arsenic, zinc, or silver, and sometimes with all these metals — the pro- portion of the latter, in some instances, amounts to seventeen per cent., when the ore is worked for the sake of the silver as well as the copper. In the same region traversed by the limestone, — (or rather in the valley above the Mine Ridge — ) lead is found outcropping at different points. The ores are of various kinds, and in some cases comprise galena, with a plentiful mixture of silver. Extensive mining ope- rations have lately been commenced in the vicinity of Phocnixville, Valley Forge, and Perkiomen ; while the veins of the basin have been traced, here and there, over portions of the counties of Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, and Lancaster. The ore is, for the most part, pyromorphite — (phosphate of lead) a beautiful mineral, but not very abundant at any one district, though it appears to be plenty here. Its color rises from bright grass-green to yellow, orange, brown, and sometimes a dull violet. Most specimens contain nine or ten per cent, of tlie chlouret of lead — sometimes arseniate, and those of an orange color, chromate of lead. The chromates are found in great abundance in the Mine Ridge, in Lancaster county, of which we shall hereafter take occasion to speak. The ores are found in other spots in various stages of combination with other substances. In Bucks county, plumbago has long been mined to a considerable extent, and there is every reason to suppose that this interesting mineral, like the others, occupies a large portion of the peculiar formation in which it is found. Native Lead is of rare occurrence. It has been observed in small grains and laminae in some volcanic products, and, also, in some specimens of galena. It may be distinguished by its softness and sectility from the galena, which is hard and brittle. Minium (red oxyde of lead) is a red substance, occiu'ing in the form of powder in some veins of galena and calamine. It is the same sub- stance as the red lead used in painting; but for this and other purposes it is prepared artificially. Yellow Oxyde of lead, which is less oxydized than the preceding ore, occurs 62 OFF-HANDS KETCHES. sometimes as a powder, sometimes in solid masses, not unlike yellow jasper', its great weight distinguishes it from all other minerals which otherwise re- semble it. Arseniate of Lead takes the same forms as the phosphate of lead, but tho prisms are often swelled in the middle, so as to have something of a howl shape ; color, generally pale yellow brown, and lustre often silky. Carbonate of Lead — (White Lead ore.) — This is tho same substance as the white lead of commerce, which is prepared artificially. It is abundant in some lead mines, filling large veins or intermixed with the other ores, either compact, earthy, or crystalline. Its crystals are derived from a light rhombic prism, difi'ering very little from that of arthente, and are often grouped so as to form a cross or star. It is the only mineral which equals the diamond in brilliancy ; its lustre, when pure and transparent, being adamantine. When fused by the blow-pipe on charcoal, a bead of lead is obtained ; or if dissolved in nitric acid, upon immersing a piece of zinc (the surface being quite clean) metallic lead will quickly be precipitated on it in brilliant laminse. When massive it has sometimes a crystalline structure, splitting readily into large flakes, with a brilliant siirface. An earthy variety resembling chalk in its appearance is common in some lead mines. But it is a mineral met with not only in lead mines : it is frequently found with copper pyrites and blende. In these situations it often forms columnar masses, with a silky lustre. The sulpho-carbonate of lead, which is this substance combined with about one-third of its weight of sulphate of lead, resembles it in brilliancy and weight, but when dissolved in nitric acid, it leaves a residue, which is sulphate of lead. Ilolyhdate of L ead crystallizes in square octahedrons, or very short prisms of four or six sides, of a dull yellow color, and translucent, which contain sixty-four per cent, of oxyde of lead. Sulphate of lead, in its general appearance, resembles the car- bonate of lead, but is rather softer and less brilliant, and may always be dis- tinguished from it by not efi'erveseing with any acid. Copreous sulphate of lead has been found in a few places, — it is colored by the copper it contains. Galena — (Sulphuret of Lead,) may generally be recognised by its crystalli- zations, and its very perfect cleavages, parallel to the faces of a cube, as well as by its pure lead-gray color. The surface is often dull, but the fracture always brilliant, and it is so brjttle that cleavages may be obtained by a very slight blow. The same crystalline structure prevails where the galena is massive, sometimes resembling that of statuary marble; more rarely it is granular, or compact, with scarcely any lustre. Its specific gravity is 7*5 to V'T. It is easily fused, giving off sulphureous fumes, and affording a globule of lead. Some galena is combined with sulphuret of silver. When this is in sufficient quantity to render it worth the expense of separating the silver, it is called argentiferous galena. In order to know whether galena contains any silver, dissolve a little in nitric acid, and dip into the solution a piece of copper; the silver, if there be any, will be deposited as a white metallic film on the copper T H E S C II U Y L K I L L . 58 Bonynonite is a sulphuret of lead, copper and antimony — the former amounting to forty per cent. Graphite (Plumbago, or black lead.) The substance called black lead is well known to most persons ; but few, perhaps, are aware, that when they make use of a black lead pencil, they draw with a substance which is nearly identical with the diamond. It appears to be carbon, diflering from it, when pure, only in the state of aggregation of its particles ; it often contains a small portion of earthy matter, or of iron ; but as the latter amounts sometimes to only one or two per cent, both are now generally considered as accidental impurities. Graphite has always a metalic lustre, with sometimes a fine scaly structure, and soils the fingers when handled. Specific gravity 2 to 2"45. It occurs in several places in the United States, and no doubt a large quantity is deposited in the slaty formation traversing Pennsylvania. For the best pencils, it is used without any other preparation than that of sawing it into thin strips, which are after- wards enclosed in wood, or formed into thin rods for ever-pointed pencils; but great numbers of pencils of inferior quality are made of a mixture composed of black lead dust, intermixed with clay, and sometimes with lamp black, or sulphuret of antimony. Near the village of Conshehocken, the Schuj^lkill assumes a most beautiful appearance ; the banks, on both sides, are lined with stately trees, and foliage bending to the water's edge, while the stream is as smooth and clear as one broad sheet of glass. On the LANDSCAPE ON TOE SCHUYLKILL. one side we have the Norristown Railroad and the Schuylkill Canal, and on the other the Reading Railroad, over which are seen passing an almost endless procession of black coal-trains, and as they wind around the projecting knolls, and intervening valleys, a great rumb- ling noise is heard, amidst the shrill whistle of the locomotive ; 5* 54 OFF-IIANDSKETCIIES. the canal-boats lazily creep along, while around, as far as the eye can see, glorious nature spreads out in rich waving harvest- fields, and rolling elevations, -with hero and there a cluster of houses nestled amid the luxuriant scene. The village of Consuehocken, though of recent origin, is quite an interesting and important place. It is supported solely by several manufacturing establishments, which are carried on in its midst, and which have sprung up under the facilities afforded by the lines of improvement, no less than the rich and varied resom'oes adjacent. Of these, there is an extensive rolling-mill for the production of sheet- iron, and its manufactures are scarcely excelled by any similar article imported, having a close resemblance to the celebrated sheet-iron of Eussia. There is a very large marble-mill, which has already been alluded to, with several workshops of different kinds, and smaller extent ; while a company of enterprising men has just been organized to embark in the manufacture of a new description of useful ware. They intend to manufacture, principally from the lava of the furnaces in the vicinity, a description of glass for mantels, tables, and various ornamental purposes ; and as the productions can probably be af- forded at low rates compared with marble, and will prove equally durable, if not equally beautiful, there is a reasonable probability that this will ultimately form a distingiiishing feature of the place, if it does not originate an entirely new branch of trade. Between Conshehocken and Norristown, there are several extensive anthracite furnaces, as well as manufactories of various kinds. The banks of the river, on both sides, present many beautiful residences, and elegant, well-cultivated farms, while the scenery generally is of that soft and genial character, relieved occasionally by a rocky de- clivity or gently sloping hill, that pleases the eye of the observer, while it impresses him with the spirit of activity everywhere displayed. Norristown, the county-seat of Montgomery, seventeen miles dis- tant from Philadelphia, is one of the most beautiful boroughs in the United States. It lies on the east bank of the Schuylkill, rising to a gradual elevation from the water's edge. The streets are well drained, the houses substantially built, (many of them unusually elegant) the citizens remarkably intelligent, the society excellent, the location healthy, the general aspect that of an industrious and enterprising population, and, in short, the whole minutiae of the borough is such as to render it one of the most attractive with which we are ac- N O R R I S T W N 55 NORIUSTOWX. quainted. It contains several very extensive cotton and woollen factories, iron foundries, rolling-mills, and machine shops, vrith numerous other industrial establishments, of more or less extent, nearly all of Avhich are located on the river Ijank, and are supplied, like Manayunk, with a splendid water-power from the canal. The present population is probably between eight and ten thousand, and must greatly increase in the future under ordinary circumstances of favor. A brighter day than wo have known for the last five years is, we think, about to dawn upon our workshops. "We hope so, at any rate. Norristown was formerly included in the township of Norriton, comprising a manor belonging to William Penn. The land on which the town now stands was subsequently owned by several parties, when it finally came into the hands of Wm. M. Smith, who, in 1784, laid it out into town lots. During the revolution it was occupied as a farm, and belonged to a certain John Bull, who, notwithstanding Iiis name, was a thorough-going Whig, and the British, on their way to Philadelphia, paid him the passing compliment of burning down his barn. A short distance below the town, on the banks of tlie river, are still to be seen the traces of former entrenchments or breast-works, thrown up by Gen. Du Pontel, by order of Wash- ington, at a time when he expected the British to cross the river at this place. 56 OFF-HAND SKETCHES. The first canal improvement undertaken in the United States, was commenced at Norristown, about the year 1792, of which the outline features are still to be traced. The project contemplated both a navigable water course, and a water works for Philadelphia. For this purpose, the canal was to be carried to Philadelphia on one level, without locks or outlets. After completing several miles of the heaviest part of the work, and spending over $400,000, the company became embarrassed, and were compelled to abandon the entei-prize, many of the principal parties having themselves been involved in commercial and financial ruin. The company, however, was after- wards consolidated into the Union Canal and the Schuylkill Naviga- tion, of both of which we shall presently have something to say. Montgomery is one of the richest and most favorably situated counties in Pennsylvania. In all the elements of real wealth and true prosperity, it is unrivalled. The soil consists principally of limestone and red shale — the latter performing well under good tillage, with the addition of the lime close at hand. The soil is tra- versed by several fine streams, of which the Schuylkill, comprising the greater portion of its southwestern boundary line, is the princi- pal ; the others next in importance being the Perkiomen and its branches, the beautiful and romantic Wissahickon and its branches, the Pennepack, Tacon}'^, Neshaminy, and others — all of which afi"ord excellent water-power. There are at this time not less than thirty merchant, one hundred and twenty grist, seventy-six lumber, eight marble, twenty paper, thirty-five oil, twelve clover, and about the same number of powder mills, in Montgomery county ; besides which, there are fifteen or more iron-works of various kinds, twenty- five large cotton factories, ten woollen factories, twelve fulling mills, and some thirty-five tanneries. This, for a county comparatively small in area, exhibits a productive capacity not easily surpassed. The county is supplied with some of the best turnpike roads and stone bridges to be found anywhere in Pennsylvania. One of these bridges (that over the Perkiomen) cost over $00,000, and was built nearly fifty years ago. The people seem early to have realized the importance of good roads, and an immense amount of money was freely expended to make them of the best and most durable char- acter. This principle should always be acted upon by the constituted authorities, for nothing contributes more to the lasting benefit, or enhances property to a greater extent, than good roads and bridges. THE PALLS TO NORRISTOWN. 57 The first settlers of Montgomery county were principally Welsh, with a few Germans and English. The Germans gradually dispersed to the northern part of the county, where the language is still spoken to some extent. The Welsh, or their descendants, hjive long since abandoned their native language, in favor of the predominating English. The early settlers comprised some of the best men who ever landed on our shores — remarkable for their morality, industry, intelligence, and uniform respectability of deportment. The oldest place of worship noAV standing in Pennsylvania, was erected by them near the present town of Manayunk, in 1695. It was a Friends' meeting-house, and is still occupied by that respectable society. We have thus, somewhat briefly, given an exposition of some of the leading features of this interesting and remarkable valley, from the Falls of the Schuylkill to Norristown. Both sides of the river, we have previously remarked, are traversed by railways, running parallel with the Schuylkill navigation. The extensive manufactur- ing establishments, receiving their driving-power from the river, arc all located on its eastern side, which will account for its dense popu- lation and busy aspect, as compared with the opposite shore, traversed by the Reading railroad. It is this fortuitous circumstance which creates the sole trade of the Norristown railroad, at the same time that it materially aids the Reading railroad ; — for while the one is in the exclusive enjoyment of the local miscellaneous trade, the other has an abundance of tonnage in supplying a large portion of the fuel consumed. We should judge that at least fifty thousand tons of coal are annually transported by the Reading railroad for tlie supply of the lime-kilns and ordinary consumers, between Norristown and the Falls. The two railroads, therefore, (as well as the canal) are aux- iliary to each Qther's success. For the reason referred to, we havt little of interest to note, between the points designated, on the western side of the river. The sce- nery, in general, is attractive ; but owing to the splendid works of man, it has more of an artificial stamp, than the usually broader and more impressive one of Nature. The tunnel above Manayunk — the Schuyl- kill Navigation, with its numerous locks, and dams, and bridges — the towns and villages, with their busy work-shops and towering fac- tories — the numerous lime-kilns, furnaces, and mills — the turnpike roads, with their pondei-ous teams and carts ; the railroads, with their snake-like trains ; the electric telegraph, with its lofty poles stretching II 58 OFF-HAND SKETCHES. out, single file, in magnificent procession ; the canal-boats, with their faithful, tugging horses, and sun-burnt crews — all evince the restless activity of man, and proclaim his glory to the passing observer. Leaving Norristown, we cross the Schuylkill by a splendid wooden bridge (indicated in the engraving), eight hundred feet in length, and again join the Reading railroad, which henceforth traverses every town and village on our route. Hero, indeed, is a sprightly little village before us, just emTjarking in the world. It is but yesterday since "it set up," and already we find it a considerable town, under the name, style and title of Bridgeport. The Reading Railroad is the guardian and patron of the little fellow, and under its friendly auspi- ces it will grow and thrive, until it becomes a good-sized, old-fashioned borough. After leaving Bridgeport, four miles beyond, we reach the village of Port Kennedy, of which we have already spoken in connection with the production of lime, constituting its sole trade. Two miles beyond this place is Valley Forge. Here every inch of ground is sacred to the cause of liberty and patriotic sufiering. There is not a heart in America — there is not a lover of liberal institutions anywhere, that will not swell with mingled awe and admiration, as he contem- plates the scenes and incidents with which this region is identified. Here was concentrated, in the darkest hour of the revolution, the sole reliance of/reedom against oppression ; here were centered our hopes and our fears — here were quartered, amid the snows and blasts of a severe winter, without clothing, and almost without food, sick, famished, barefooted, and dying, Wash- ington and his army. Valley Forge derives its name from a forge which stood near the mouth of valley creek, some time previous to the revolution. The grounds occupied by the largest portion of the encampment comprised both sides of the hill, south-east of the stream. The name of this hill is Mount Pleasant, and of that on the other side of the stream, Mount Misery. These terms were bestowed by William HEDOUBT AT VALLEY FOUGE. VALLEY FORGE. 59 Penn, -who, on one occasion, lost his way on the latter hill, and hav- ing regained it on the former, bestowed the names accordingly. Seve- ral extensive redoubts and breast-works were thrown up at sundry places, some of which, on the south-eastern side of the hill, are yet distinctly visible, and of which the engraving on page 58 conveys a correct idea. These works consist of large embankments of earth, arranged one after the other, along the slope of the hill, so that, in case of attack, the men could remain behind them, secure from the fire of the enemy. These breast-works, moreover, were surrounded with deep ditches, thus rendering the approach of the enemy hazar- dous amidst tlie fire of the soldiers within the redoubts. The re- doubts now lie in the depths of the forest, but their outlines, as well as the former sites of the miserable huts of the soldiers, are still dis- tinctly visible. The head-quarters of General Washington were in a Washington's quahters at valley foegi.. small stone house, which stands near the railroad, and from which a good view of it is afforded. A slight addition has recently been made to the back buildings, which originally consisted only of a small kitchen, erected by Washington himself. The room occupied by the General had a secret closet, in which he kept his oflBcial papers. In other respects the house is quite small, and without interest. Washington moved with his army to this romantic spot soon after GO OFF-HAND SKETCHES. the battle of GGrmantown. He had previously been following the British in their movements along the Schuylkill, and finally attacked them at that place. It was after this engagement, therefore, that he took up his winter quarters in this place — a step which was dictated by the best motives of prudence and the public good. " His soldiers," says Mr. Day, " were too ill-clothed to be exposed to the inclemency of that season under mere tents ; it was therefore d( aided that a sufficient number of huts or cabins should be erected of logs filled in with mortar, in which the troops would find more EMCAJirMENT AT VALLEY FORGE. comfortable shelter. The army reached the valley about the 18th of December. They might have been tracked by the blood of their feet, in marching barefooted over the hard, frozen ground between White- marsh and Valley Forge. They immediately set about constructing their habitations, which were disposed in the order of a military camp, but had really the appearance of a regular town. Each hut was 16 feet by 14. One was assigned to twelve privates, and one to a smaller number of officers, according to their rank. Each General occupied a hut by himself. The whole encampment was surrounded WASHINGTON AT VALLEY FORGE. Gl on the land side by intrenchments, and several small redoubts ■were built at different points. A temporary bridge was throAvn across the river, to facilitate communications with the suri-ounding country. The army remained at this place until the ensuing sitmmer, when the British evacuated Philadelphia. This was the most gloomy epoch of the revolution. For many weeks the army, although sheltered from the wind, endured extreme sufferings from the want of provisions, blankets, and clothing. The Commissary's department, through neglect in Congress, had been badly managed, and on one occasion the supplies of beef were actually exhausted, and no one knew whence to-morrow's supply would come. Gen. Washington says, "For some days there has been little less than a famine in camp. A part of the army have been a week with- out any kind of flesh, and the rest, three or four days. Naked and starving as they arc, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery, that they have not ere this been excited to mutiny and dispersion. Strong symptoms of discontent have, however, appeared in particular instances." Such was the scarcity of blankets and straw that men were often obliged to sit up all night to keep themselves warm by the fire, and many were too ill clothed to leave their huts ! The want of wagons and horses, too, was severely felt for procuring supplies, and almost every species of camp transportation was performed by the men without a murmur, who yoked themselves to little car- riages of their own making, or loaded their wood and provisions on their backs. The small-pox threatened those who had not been inoculated. Provisions con- tinued to grow more and more scarce ; the country had become exhausted by the constant and pressing demands of both armies, and no doubt many pro- visions were concealed from the Americans by the disaffected tories, who found a better market at Philadelphia, and better pay in British gold, than in continental money. Washington stated that there were in camp on the 23d December, not less than 2898 men unfit for dutj' by reason of their being harefoot and other- wise naked, besides many others detained in hospitals, and crowded into ftirmer's houses, for the same causes. Happily for America, there was in the character of Washington something which enabled him, notwithstanding the discordant materials of which his army was composed, to attach both his officers and soldiers so strongly to his person, that no distress could weaken their affection, nor im- pair the respect and veneration in which he was held by them. To this is to be attributed the preservation of a respectable military force under circumstances but too well calculated for its dissolution. In the midst of these trying scenes, a strong combination was formed against Washington, in which several members of Congress, and a very few officers of the army were engaged. (See Reading.) Gen. Gates, exulting in his laurels recently gained at Saratoga, Gen. Lee, and Gen. Conway, (neither of them native Americans!) were at the head of this movement, and the stroncrest 6 62 orr-HANDSKETCHES. attempts were made to involve Gen. Lafayette into it also, but he openly and promptly avowed his attachment to Washington, and spurned the insidious efforts to supersede him in favor of Gates. The result of this base conspiracy is well known — it did not injure Washington, while it consigned the authors to the contempt of the public. Conway, the principal party in the affair, an Irishman by birth, was called to account, and finally died from the effects of a wound received in a duel with Gen. Cadwallader. Gates never could give a satisfactory explanation of his conduct, and the consequence is a blur on his reputation, which no previous or subsequent act of his has been able to obliterate. It was during the encampment at Valley Forge, that the brave and kind- hearted Baron Steuben joined the American army — a position having been va- cated by the subsequent resignation of Gen. Conway. Steuben, as is well known, was one of the most thorough military disciplinarians in Europe, and it was through his talents and instructions that our men acquired a facility and precision in military tactics which soon after enabled them to carry the Revolu- tion to a glorious termination. Mr. Headley, in speaking of Steuben, says : " A more sorry introduction to our armj', for one who had served in Europe, could not well be conceived. He had found our cities in possession of a powerful enemy, and when he came to look for the force that was to retake them, he saw only a few thousand famished, half-naked men, looking more like beggars than soldiers — cooped up in miserable log huts, dragging out the desolate winter amid the straw. As the doors of these hovels opened, he beheld men destitute of clothing, wrapping themselves up in blankets, and muttering complaints against Congress, which could treat them with such injustice and inhumanity. He was astoniehed, and declared that no European army could be kept together under such sufferings. All discipline was gone, and the troops were no better than a ragged horde, with scarcely the energy to struggle for self-preservation. There was hardly any cavalry, but slender artillery, while the guns and ac- coutrements — a large portion of them — were unfit for use. Our army had never before been in such a state, and a more unpropitious time for Steuben to enter on his work could not have been selected. Nothing daunted, however, and with all the sympathies of his noble nature roused in our behalf, ho began, as soon as spring opened, to instruct both ofiicers and men. His ignorance of our language crippled him at first very much ; while the awkwardness of our militia, who, gathered as they were from every quarter, scarcely knew the manual exercise, irritated him beyond measure. They could not execute the simplest manoeuvre correctl}', and Steuben, who was a choleric man, though possessed of a soul full of generosity and the kindliest feelings of human nature, would swear and curse terribly at their mistakes, and when he had exhausted all the epithets of which he was master, would call on his aid-de-camp and ask him to curse in his stead ! Still the soldiers loved him, for he was mindful of their sufferings, and often his manly form was seen stooping through the doors of their hovels, to minister to their wants and relieve their distresses. BARON STEUBE N — W H I T E M A R S II . 63 It was his practice to rise at three o'clock in the morning, and tlress his hair, smoke, and take a cup of coffee, and at sunrise be in the saddle. By that time also, if it was a pleasant day, he had the men marching to the field for their morning drill. First, he would place them in line, then pass along in front, '.'urefully examining their guns and accoutrements, and inquiring into the con- duct of the subordinate officers. The fruit of his labor soon appeared in the improved condition of his men, and AVashington was very much impressed with the value of his services. Owing to his recommendation he was made Inspector General. This branch of the service now received the attention it deserved, and discipline, before irregular, or practised only under particular leaders, was introduced into every portion. All the arrangements, even to the minutest, were planned and perfected by Steuben, and the vast machinery of our army began to move in harmony and order. He had one company which he drilled to the highest point of discipline, as a model by which to instruct the others. The result of all this was seen in the very next campaign, at the battle of Mon- mouth. Washington there rallied his men when in full retreat, and brought them into action under the very blaze of the enemy's guns. They wheeled like veteran troops into their places, and then moved steadily on the foe. For some time previous to his encampment at Valley Forge, Gen. Washington had his head-quarters at Whitemarsh, in jMontgomery county, (a few miles east,) a view of which is here afforded. The *-5S%fi^r-„, WASHIXGT0.\'S HEAD-QUARTERS AT WHITEMARSH. whole surrounding country is full of incidents connected with the movement of the army in this vicinity, and all have more or less interest to the American reader ; but we agree with the poet, that — 64 r r - H A N D S K E T C II E s . The camp has had its clay of song — The sword, the bayonet, aud the plume, Have crowded out of rhyme too long The plough, the anvil, and the loom. Oh, not upon our tented fields Are Freedom's heroes hred alone ; The trainintji of the worskhoji yields More heroes true than war has known. Who drives the bolt, who shapes the steel, May, with a heart as valiant, smite, As he who sees a foeman reel In blood before his blow of might ! The skill that conquers space and time, That grades life, that lightens toil. May spring from courage more sublime Than that which makes a realm its spoil. Valley Forge contains a cotton factory, with some other minor manufacturing establishments, and has had a considerable accession to the population during the last few years. It is surrounded with a rich and populous agricultural district, in which are located several furnaces and iron works. The copper formation before alluded to outcrops here, and there is, besides, a considerable quantity of iron ore in the adjacent hills. The observatory on the summit of the hill was erected by Charles H. Rogers, Esq., the liberal-minded proprietor of the land and the cotton factory. It commands a magnificent land- scape scene. The beautiful valley of the Schuylkill, richly carpeted with greensward and soft foliage, and traversed by several streams whose bridges rise above the swelling harvest-fields, stretches out before the eye. Far ofi" the blue Kittatinny range is seen, into whose hazy atmosphere the picture gradually fades. The Schuylkill river, at the foot of the hill, winds gracefully around a broad projecting alluvial flat, beautifully shaded with tall trees, and fringed with wild bushes, very nearly in the centre of which stands the princely country house of Dr. Wetherill, and nearer the river the country mansion of John Price Wetherill, Esq. The spirit of the scene is greatly en- hanced by the noise of the coal trains passing over the railroad, and which is echoed to the surrounding hills — no less than the view afforded of the trains themselves, often embracing one hundred and thirty loaded cars, each containing between four and five tons of coal ! If any one desires to be impressed with the idea of stamina- -of real P ir (E N I X V I L L E . 65 greatness — of enterprise — let him stand on a commanding eminence, and behold a coal-train, nearly half a mile in length, rumbling and ^tearing by -with extraordinary speed ! But stand in the t^bservatory and drink in the -ffhole glorious scene — rich, and varied, and beautiful beyond description. Could unhappiness dwell amidst such plenty — such luxuriance — such inspiring incidents ? It ought not ; yet man is weak — Had he been made, at nature's birtli, Of only flame or only earth, Had he been formed a perfect whole Of purely that, or grossly this, Then sense would ne'er have clouded soul, Nor soul restrain the sense's bliss ! Oh, happy, had his light been strong. Or had he never shaved a light, ■\Yhich shines enough to show he's wrong, But not enough to lead him Hyht. Four miles above Valley Forge, and twenty-seven from Philadel- phia, is the borough of Phcenixville, situated in the valley of French creek, at its junction witli the Schuylkill. Phcenixville is a very pleasant borough, containing a population of some thirty-five hun- dred — of whom probably eight hundred are engaged in its industrial establishments. Probably the first nail-works in this part of the country were erected here, where the creek afi"ords a fine head of water. After having passed through the hands of three or four dif- ferent parties, the works, upwards of twenty-five years ago, came into those of Messrs. Reeves & Whittaker. The present style of the firm at this place, is Reeves, Buck & Co. — Joseph Whittaker having retired a few years ago. His son, Dr. Joseph Whittaker, retains an interest however, and is one of the managers of the works. Joseph Whittaker lives in the stately man- sion directly opposite the rail-road depot, on the opposite side of the river. We believe he has partially retired from the more active pur- suits of the trade — ^merely " keeping as many irons in the fire" as is consistent with his old-fashioned notions of leisure. lie has some works, of small extent, in view of his residence, and a furnace or two near Easton ; while two of his sons have an establishment at Havre- dc-