feet of the spectator, as upon a map, extends the goodly city of Philadelphia, in a wide and varied mass of habitations, to the distance of nearly five miles on the banks of the Delaware on the east, and about three and a half miles on the banks of the Schuylkill on the west; and varying from one and a half to two miles in breadth; presenting at the first glance, a confused array of brick walls and dusky roofs; but, when scrutinized more closely, abounding with much interest and magnificence. It was a pleasant day in "the leafy month of June," when our observations were made, and when we experienced those reviving and grateful emotions which we are now attempting faintly to describe.

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west. are lovely in the extreme. Towards the former point, the pale, yellow-grey walls of the Penitentiary rise with their turrets, and form no indefinite representation of a feudal castle, with its tiara of towers; the Chinese Pagoda, whose fanciful variegated spire springs gracefully into the air; and Fairmount, with the white pailing which surrounds its pure reservoir; while the meadows which surround the country seats of the opulent citizens, with the attendant gardens and orchards, form the visible and cunningly blended links which connect town and country.

Much the largest and most interesting part of the city lies northwardly of the State-House. It extends, as it The saying is an old one, that an extended survey of were, in an unbroken assemblage of bustling streets, the earth and its objects, from any elevated position, has churches, gardens, banks, and public edifices of every a tendency to exalt and clate the spirit; and, for the description, for nearly three miles. Beneath our feet, time being, to arouse and expand the intellectual facul- thro' the elegant and promising trees which there overties. Our own experience, during a not uneventful life, shadow the walk, moves the tide of Chestnut-street busleads us to assent to the truth of the remark; and, among iness and fashion. To the north-east the Delaware apthose seasons in which its correctness has been enforc- pears, lapsing along by its island of tranquil and summer ed, we can number the visit and ascent to which we are verdure of low trees, and emerald banks, where the now alluding. The morning was well advanced, and blue waters seemed to melt away in the reflected light the atmosphere possessed an aspect of transparency of earth and sky. It pursues its course with pleasant which we have scarcely ever seen equalled. We lean- and picturesque shores on either side, with their white ed against the railing of the cupola, which is placed for dwellings, fields, and orchard-plots, all pure in summer, the safety of the spectators, and gazed on the panorama and redolent with beauty; and it is lost in the irregularbefore us. Far to the east, the dim blue woods of Newities of the faint outline in the distant landscape. With Jersey blent with the horizon; and more immediately at the assistance of a good glass, some of the ferries, situhand, its shores along the river lay pleasantly crowned ated a great number of miles up the river, can be plainwith villages, and trees, and meadows, in all the primal ly perceived, and also the steamboats which arrive and freshness of the dawning summer. The Delaware lay depart to and from New-York and Philadelphia. The smiling like a sheet of tremulous silver in the free and sight in this direction combines all of city or country unclouded sunshine; steam-boats were moving from which can prove interesting or delightful. either shore, with their wreaths of smoke ascending like offerings in the air; while the white sails were careering gracefully along its bosom, and foreign ships were weighing anchor in the stream, or lying alongside the animatwharves, with their pennons streaming like light cloudlets in the breeze. Turning to the south, the most striking features which are presented in that portion of the city are, the Navy Yard, inclosing that immense building, in which the largest ship in the world is now in the progress of construction; and, in the distance, the Delaware, which hastening onward to the ocean, here sweeps.in a westerly direction, around a soft & placid reach of meadow scenery, broken by rich clusters of large and beautiful trees, whose heavy verdure seemed to delight in the morning smiles of heaven.Immediately beneath us, the southern prospect included the State House and Washington Square, with their brownish yellow walks, their verdant grass plots, and their noble trees, whose leaves and blossoms waved in sweet luxuriance, as if stirred into music by the bland air of June. The survey to the south west, north, and north-west, presents the congregated serenity and loveliness of the quiet country and the moving splendor of the city. The blue, swelling lands of Pennsylvania and Delaware, disposed in pleasant vistas and green sunny spots, lit up at intervals by gleams from both rivers, seemed touched with a changeful coloring of dark and We saw the impelling tide of human pursuit and enbright verdure; the darker hues sometimes deepened by terprise rolling onward beneath our feet: -the care-worn the passage of some vagrant cloud, and the brighter merchant was at his bales, the laborer at his toil; the rendered still more bright by the glancing sunbeam.-rich man's coach went by upon its gilded wheels; and Far to the south-west; on the verge of the horizon, and the rattling of his progress arose to the car, as the light apparently melting into air, arise the gently undulating of his splended equipage flashed upon the eye. Highlands of Christienne, in the state of Delaware, enty years hence," thought we, "and where will these whose distance cannot be much less thau thirty miles. one hundred and sixty thousand dreamers be? Among The scenes, in the direction just spoken of, should be them all, Death is estimated to receive one in every seen to be appreciated; upon paper, they cannot be two hours and eleven minutes;-where will the little, even faintly shadowed forth. Immediately to the west, silent lapse of three score and ten find them? They will Chestnut-street, which passes the north front of the have gone "as the swift ships-as the eagle that hasteth State House, stretches away with its tasteful and lofty to the prey. Where are they who have been honorbuildings, until it seems to end in a rich green meadow ed and revered by the crowd in the dawn of our liberty? beyond the Schylkill, whose waters can be seen in oc- Where is he, the framer of the Declaration of our Indecasional spots, shining along the verdure of their banks, pendence, who first proclaimed it to the American peoand pursuing their glittering course towards the sea.- ple from the southern window of this edifice over which The banks of this river, from the northwest to the south we now stand? Let the silence of his sepulchre at MonVOL. IV. 26

We could not but reflect, as we gazed abroad over this thriving metropolis, of which we are an humble denizen, upon the insensible chances and changes of the destroyer Time: the fallacy of earthly expectations, the mutability of man, the narrow span of life, the ab sorbing ocean of death, and of eternity. Beneath and around us lay the proud capital of Pennsylvania, basking in the sun, and stirred with the monotonous hum of bustling and busy existence. Around us, on either side, the distant and uprising landscape blended in soft and perfect beauty with the illimitable hori zon; while over all was spread the blue infinity of the sky, as, ever and anon, a slight cloud, touched with the hues of gold and amber, moved up in splendid pomp into the heavens, impelled by the light airs of the west, and chequering the hills and vales with pictured light and shade. "Are not these," we involuntarily uttered, "fit emblems of life?" How many visions of ambition, of passion, and of pride, which arise in the imaginations of the multitudes beneath us, will come and go like the summer cloud? Youth, with its ardent and kindling fancies-manhood, with its untiring and boundless aspirations-age, with his hoarded gold and earthly treasures in store-of what little moment are all these, when they depend upon the faint thread of mortality, which, at best, is but "the spider's most attenuated web?"

"Sev

bers of the Institute and others interested, will still continue to exert their influence to increase the amount of the subscriptions.

The quarterly report of the board of managers was read and accepted.

THOMAS FLETCHER, V. Pres't. William Hamilton, Secretary pro tem.

The Twenty-Second Quarterly Report of the Managers of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania, for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts.

The board of managers present a report of their proceedings since the last quarterly meeting of the society, in accordance with the regulations and laws of the Institution.

In addition to the regular course of lectures on chemistry and mechanics, to be delivered during the ensuing season, arrangements are now making by the committee of instruction, for the delivery, during the whole period allotted, of volunteer lectures, varied in their character, and of manifest utility.

ticello answer. Where is the father of his country-to whose virtues the world did homage, and before whom, as he rode on his white war-horse through these streets in times gone by, went forth acclamations of praise and thanksgiving? Let the sacred repose of his tomb at Mount Vernon make reply! Where are the statesmen and heroes of the first Congress, whose deliberations were held in this venerable cradle of liberty? They, too, have gone to rest, and their memories alone are with us! Where is Franklin? we reflected, and turned to look at his place of rest. It is plainly seen from the cupola of the steeple; and the grave stones of that populous city of the dead where he sleeps, can be seen rising from the tall luxuriant grass, which waves in the breath of summer around. The church-yard where reposes the Philosopher, and the man, is partially shaded on the west by some large thickly clothed trees, and some are also planted in the enclosure. We thought of West, of Rittenhouse, of Whitefield, and of Eastburn. The child of genius who had here first wakened the canvass into life with his creations; who arose to sit in the high place of renown, and to receive the applause of princes;-he, too, has sunk long ago to his final slumber in a foreign land. The Astronomer who searched out the occult mysteries of the stars; and the men of God, whose burning words aroused the guilty and subdued the proud hearted-where are they! Their messages of love will be delivered no more forever: their eloquence has departed, their wasting dust has held fellowship with the At the close of the present quarter of the High School, worm, while their spirits have communed with God in the course of instruction originally contemplated in that heaven. They have died with the worthy and the un- department, will have been completed. Since its orworthy; the just and the unjust. And so it is still to be..ganization, and during the whole term of three years, the The churches whose spires rise around us, will soon be board have been gratified with the flattering reports thronged with the children of another generation, when which have been received from the committee on inthe present shall have numbered their days; when the struction. It has received an unusually large share of preacher and his people shall have passed to that "un- the public patronage, and it has been instrumental in an discovered country from whose bourne no traveller re-eminent degree in diffusing the blessings of education, turns. Washington square, which now smiles with its and in elevating the character and standard of instrucproud array of loveliness and fashion, was once a Potter's tion in the community, more especially in the introducField, where brothers and sisters were hurried in the tion of a well digested and more complete system of pestilence to lie unburied, side by side, where no fune- text books than have heretofore been used in the schools ral rite was said, or anthem sung; and the change of the in this city. The school will be continued in the Hall future will equal those of the past. of the Institute, under the direction of the present principal, W. R. Johnson, A. M., assisted in the several branches by instructors of acknowledged reputation.

دو

These are a few of the monitory lessons which will be imparted to the reflecting and contemplative mind, in a visit to this edifice, upon which we have dilated rather at length. To the young, it will yield the pleasure which novelty always produces; to the middle aged or the old, who think aright, it will give a gratification no less sensible, though of a different character; and we believe that to all, neither be devoid of amusement or instruction.-Columbian Star.

FRANKLIN INSTITUTE.

The twenty-second Quarterly Meeting of the Franklin Institute of the state of Pennsylvania, for the promotion of the mechanic arts, was held at their hall on Thursday evening, the 16th July, 1829.

Thomas Fletcher, Esq. Vice-President, in the chair, and Wm. Hamilton, was appointed Secretary pro tem. The minutes of the last quarterly meeting, and also of the special meeting, were read and approved.

The chairman of the committee of investigation on the subject of water wheels, reported that the committee still continued to receive subscriptions towards defraying the expenses of the experiments; the amount fixed by the committee as necessary to be raised previous to commencing the operations, is now almost made up: the committee had hoped that the sum would have been received at an earlier date, but that has been prevented, entirely by the general depression of business among that class of citizens who are most immediately interested in the results of the experiments. The committee now believe that such an amount will shortly be subscribed as will justify them in making a commencement, and as it is of the utmost importance to extend their inquiries as far as possible, they hope the mem

The board would respectfully call the attention of mechanics and others to the subject of the delivery of voluntcer lectures. They are the sources from which much good will flow, a large portion of valuable and interesting information be diffused, and thus serve in a great degree to keep alive the interest in, and extend the influence of, the Institute.

The board of managers would beg leave also to report, that a special committee has been appointed to make the necessary arrangements for carrying into ef fect the resolution of March 12th, 1829, in relation to the very interesting and important subject of ascertaining "the value of water as a moving power, and the relative effects produced by it on water wheels of different constructions."

The committee have been zealously endeavouring to raise the sum required to carry on the experiments contemplated, and have succeeded in obtaining a large proportion of it. The board rely with great confidence upon the assistance and exertions of the mechanics and manufacturers of the United States, to aid them in the investigation of a subject so valuable and important in the results to be produced, not only to themselves, but to the country generally.

Agreeably to a resolution passed at the last quarterly meeting, monthly meetings of the Institute have been regularly held on the fourth Thursday of each month, upon the plan described in the last quarterly report. It is believed that the results anticipated, have been preSubduced by the adoption of this popular measure. jects of interest and practical utility have been present. ed and discussed, the library of the Institute has receiv ed considerable and important additions, the cabinet of minerals has been enlarged by donations presented at these meetings, and the board view their continuance as calculated to promote the object and interest of the Institute, and recommend the attention of the members to them.

By a resolution of the board, it was decided that the

next exhibition should be held in the year 1830. This measure was adopted after mature deliberation; and it is believed that exhibitions held every two years, will excite more interest, and will be productive of more advantage to the arts and manufactures than annual ones. The committee on premiums and exhibitions are actively engaged in making arrangements for an exhibition at that time, which it is expected will not be inferior to any of those heretofore held, and which will exhibit the state and progress of the mechanic arts in our country. HENRY HORN, Chairman. Journ. Frank.Inst.

William Hamilton, Actuary.

THE SCHUYLKILL.

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If any person continue to doubt the great advantage3 resulting from the internal improvement of the state by means of canals and rail roads, a visit to the Schuylkill would go far to remove them. Wharves are to be seen lining the margin of that stream from Fair Mount Dam down the whole front of the city, and a portion of the county of Philadelphia. A few days ago, we saw 14 vessels there, waiting to take our coal, immense quantities of which are brought down the canal. We should be much pleased to have the number and description of vessels that have passed up the Schuylkill within the last year. It would be quite interesting, and would af ford a pleasing contrast with the trifling navigation of that stream, prior to our canal system having come into operation. What must be the result when the great Pennsylvania Canal shall have been completed, and its For an improvement in the Rail-road, by which a rail-article of coal has already done so much. Our coal beds immense commerce be sent down to us, when the single way carriage may be made to turn out and in, at the places intended for that purpose, on a single rail-way; or to pass from one track to another, where the road is double; which mode obviates the difficulties heretofore experienced in effecting this object; James Wright, Columbia, Lancaster county, Pa. June 11.

PATENTS

Obtained by Pennsylvanians, in June, 1829.
For a Washing Machine; Fredus Reed, Piketown,
Bradford county, Pa. June 11.

For a Rotary Steam Engine; David B. Lee, and Stephen Stewart, Philadelphia, June 11.

are so extensive, and the quality of our coal so fine, that the stream of wealth that must flow down to Philadel phia from that source alone, must ever make us a prosperous people.

A rail road of sixty miles has been constructed in England, merely for the transportation of coal alone. The coal vessels there furnish a large share of the seamen for the navy when there is a demand for the naval service of the country. England derives immense wealth from this mineral production. Philadelphia is destined to share largely in the advantages of the coal commerce, and all this results from our internal improvement.

Am. Sent.

The propellers are long pieces of timber, placed heWe agree with the Editors of the American Sentinel, tween the ways of a rail-road, They are to be three in that the visible effects of the internal improvement of the number, lying side by side, and may be on the same State are great on the Schuylkill, at Philadelphia; but plane with the rails; they are proposed to be made of we would invite them to extend their visit this far, and timber, about 6 by 8 inches, and may be so joined end they would find materials to render the theme ten-fold to end as to extend to any convenient distance; they are more fruitful. We feel confident they would gaze with to be supported on rollers, upon which they are re-admiration at the wonderful enterprize of man-to betained by flanches. A shaft crosses the rail-road, be- hold our large store-houses-our numerous wharveslow the rails and the propellers; upon this shaft there the boat-yards and boats-the rail-roads-our coal, the are three cranks, from each of which a pitman passes to boundless wealth of this region-the industry of our one of the propellers, and when this shaft is turned by citizens-and above all, a town destined to be told of the application of any sufficient power, one of the pro- in after ages, springing up, as if by magic, on a spot, pellers will always be advancing. The upper edges of which, but a few years ago was a perfect wilderness, inthese propellers are notched, so as to form ratchets; and habited only by the beasts of the forest, who roamed athree palls descend from the bottom of the wagon, and bout in the majesty of uncontrouled restraint. These fall into these rachets, which will, of course, cause it to are objects they would delight to dwell upon. But vast ascend by a regular, continuous motion. as these improvements are and so immense the trade that already pours down the Schuylkill canal, it is but a part of the trade which Nature (assisted by the artificial means of man,) destined to take this channel to market. We allude to the construction of a rail road between this place and Sunbury and Danville, to intercept the trade of the two branches of the Susquehanna. No idea can be formed of the advantages which would result to Philadelphia from this improvement. True they have the Union Canal, the Pennsylvania Canal, and constructing the Columbia and Phildelphia rail road, yet the trade of the Susquehanna which they will receive by those routes, we are afraid will be comparatively small.When the trade arrives at Sunbury, the junction of the two branches by the Union Canal route it is 202 miles from Philadelphia; by the Pottsville route, only 152; distance in favour of the latter route 50 miles. From Sunbury via the Columbia and Philadelphia rail road, it is 168 miles; by the Pottsville route only 150; in favour of the latter 16 miles. The distance from Sunbury to Philadelpia is 152 miles, and from Sunbury to Baltimore it recedes from Philadelphia,& approaches nearer to the 155;but when the trade leaves Sunbury for Middletown, Baltimore market, being only 88 miles therefrom, and For a mode of Cutting out Boots and Shoes, by means 146 miles from Philadelphia, leaving in favour of the of a scale, or graduated pattern; Samuel Marshall, Phil-former 58 miles. These are important facts which canadelphia, June 23, not be too deeply impressed upon the citizens of PhilaFor an improvement in manufacturing and Ornament-delphia-facts which greatly involve the prosperity of ing of Combs; Ebenezer Mustin, Philadelphia, June 27. the state, and the large and fertile district through which

The principle upon which this engine is to act, is the same which has been tried in a great variety of forms, and always with the same result, namely, that it would go, if well made, but was inferior in operation to the cylinder engine. We cannot give the particular arrangement proposed, without drawings,and deem it sufficient to observe, that a wheel is to revolve, upon the periphery of which there are valves, which shut flush into it, and are to open and be acted upon as they pass through steam boxes, of which there are two, one standing opposite to the other, and each furnished with a steam and escape pipe.

For an improvement in the Plough, by which the sides of hills can be ploughed backwards and forwards, throwing the ground always on the same side of the fur row; Philip Altenderfer and Benjamin Altenderfer, Richmond, Berks county, Pa. June 11.

For an improvement in Bellows Tubs, or Cylinders, for Furnaces, or Forges; Andrew A. M'Phartin, Hunting

don, Pa. June 11.

Rights of Landlord under an execution against his Ten- hibiting such negligence on the part of the plaintiff, as

to assimilate this case to that of Mitchell vs. Steward, and record a similar decision. On the whole case, my judgment is with the plaintiff.-U. S. Gazette.

RECORDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. Abstract of the state records at Harrisburg, made by Thomas Sergeant, Esq. when Secretary of the Commonwealth, and by him presented to the Historical Committee of the American Philosophical Society, Nov. 3, 1819.-1748 to 1758.

Nov. 23, 1748.-Commission read 17th March last, from the honorable proprietaries, Thomas Penn, and Richard Penn, Esquires, constituting the Hon. James Hamilton, Esq. late Chief Justice, Lieut. Governor and Commander in Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, and counties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex. His Majesty's approbation, by order of council, 12th May.

Jan. 3, 1749.-Assembly present Governor with £600. May 15.-A definitive treaty of peace and friendship having been concluded at Aix La Chapelle, on the 7th of October, 1748, the Governor, &c. went in procession to the court house, and proclaimed the peace on the 17th.

June 30.-A letter, with some papers, received by express from Gen. Clinton, purporting that two New England men, on their return from Canada, where they had been to solicit the release of some prisoners, reported that they saw an army of 1000 French ready to go on some expedition, and they were informed it was to prevent any settlements being made by the English on Belle-riviere, (Ohio;) whereupon it was determined to dispatch a messenger to Mr. George Croghan, with a request that he would go immediately to Alleghaney, and on his arrival, send away a trader, or some person he could confide in, to the Lakes or to the eastward, to discover whether any French were coming in those parts, and if any, in what numbers, and what appearance they made, that the Indians might be apprized, and put upon their guard.

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half thicks, gunpowder, lead, shot, vermillion, shirts, guns, brass kettles, hatchets, knives, flints, looking glasses, awl blades, garters, ribbons, bed lace, scissors, ear rings, rings, Morris's bells, thimbles, beads, Jewsharps, handkerchiefs, tobacco and pipes, and C. Weiser had their guns mended.

July 18.-Proclamation issued commanding all such persons as had settled west of the blue hills, to remove by the 1st November.

August 8.-These Indians were told on their departure, if they met the other deputies, to inform them what they had done, and persuade them to return.They did meet them, but the others continued their journey and were daily expected.

August 11.-In consequence of the Indians being on the road, a proclamation was issued, forbidding any person to give or sell them any strong liquors, except such as had the care of them.

August 16.-Act for erecting York County. On information from Mr. Weiser, that the other Indian deputies were at Shamokin, on their way to the city, the Governor sent express to him to try all ways to divert them from coming, which he did, but they resented it so much, he was obliged to drop it, and they were now arrived in town; not only these deputies, but the Seneca deputies, and with the Mohicans, Tutelas, Delawares and Nanticokes, amounting to 280 in number. The Governor paid a ceremonious visit, as usual, and appointed this day to hear them in council. Canassatego spoke:-stated, that as the war was finished they came to pay a visit, expressing the continuance of their regard for the people of this province-complaining of the settlements of the white people on the Juniata, and requesting their expulsion, offering to assign the lands from the east side of the Susquehannah from the blue hills, to Thomas M'Gee's house, for money or goods.

August 19.-Assembly resolved to give an additional present to the Indians, amounting to £500, requesting that the proprietary's agents would give an addition, and also contribute to the expenses of this visit.

August 21.-Governor answers the Indians, thanking them for the neutrality of the six nations during the late war, and gave presents of the same sort of articles as before, and a new purchase of lands was agreed on, for which £500 were given. [Note.-The deed is dated August 2, 1749, and the Indian signatures are very curious. The land is mostly poor, ridgy and mountainous, taking in parts of Wayne, Luzerne, Schuylkill, Northumberland and Dauphin Counties.] To be Continued.

"AMERICAN SILK-No. 14.

July 1.-Two Senecas, two Onondagoes, some Tutelas and others, Nanticokes and Coneys, arrived in Philadelphia, and were present in council. They stated that early in the spring, a council was held at Onondaga by their nation, and sundry affairs considered. Among others, an answer to a proposal for a peace with the Catawbas, made by the former Governor of Pennsylvania. It was likewise said a new Governor had arrived in Philadelphia, and it would be proper to shake hands with him. They therefore determined to send deputies. Wyoming was appointed for the place of their This is indeed, a blessed country; like the northen meeting. That these Indians had staid there a month, nations of the old world, it is not reduced to boasting of but the others did not come. They therefore pro- the most common productions of the earth; of her leeks, ceeded to Philadelphia. They complained of the of her kale, of potatoes, or of a piece of animal food, white people settling on this side of the Blue Moun- like Caligula's horse ennobled;-nor, like those of the tains, and they wished to know if the new Governor south and east while loaded with the bounties of nature, had orders or instructions to allow it. If not, that they does she groan under the iron yoke of despotism; her might be forced to remove; recommending the same granaries are filled with the corn of Africa and Sicily; harmony and mutual affection to be preserved that had the oil of Italy and the wines of France only wait for the subsisted in former times, "nay, from the first settle-hand of skilful industry to flow in streams through the ment of this province by our good friend the great Wm. Penn." They complained of their poverty, but presented the Governor with a small bundle of skins to make him a pair of shoes.-£100 were agreed to, to purchase a present for these Indians.

July 4.-Governor's answer to the Indians, approving their coming to Philadelphia. That as the Governor stood engaged by treaty not to suffer any of their people to settle on lands, till they were purchased by the proprietaries, they had proclaimed that none should presume to settle on the west side of the ridge of mountains, which is the boundary: some that had been so audacious as to go there have been forcibly removed, and their plantations broken up. No new orders had been received. The offenders should be brought to justice. A present was then made of strouds, duffils,

land; her fields are enriched with the cotton of the East and the sugar of the West, and the bowels of her earth teem with the iron of Scandinavia, the coals of Albion and the gold of Ophir. In the midst of all these riches, her genius conquers the elements, and her statesmen give examples of free government to the world, which the world strives in vain to imitate; she extends the hand of friendship to all mankind; her tents are the alien's home, and he, (if such there be,) who would oppress the friendless stranger, finds his hand suddenly palsied, and the stranger stands upright, in the face of the country that protects him, and smiles on him with benevolence.

These thoughts occurred to my mind, while I was admiring the richness of the silken treasures which nature has provided for this country. I am going to con