ride of twenty miles very pleasant. After descending a long hill of three miles, over a good road, we arrived about 9 o'clock at the little village of Tunkhannock on the Susquehanna, to breakfast. At this place is a large bottom formed by the junction of Tunkhannock creek with the Susquehanna. Several fine farms are spread over it, and along the banks of the river for a great distance, are some of the most magnificent trees I ever saw. They were elm, sycamore, and black walnut; the last of which flourishes on the bottoms of this river, with surpassing luxuriance. The river here, is about thirty rods wide, and we crossed it in a flat boat. Did you ever see the Susquehanna river? If not, you have yet to see the most beautiful stream in America. I speak understandingly, for I have seen the pride of American rivers. I have been conversant with the Connecticut, the Hudson, and the St. Lawrence. I have travelled on the Ohio, the Potomac, and the Delaware. I have seen the Allegheny, the Monongahela, and the Mohawk sweep the base of their native mountains: but none will compare with the clear, purity of water gathered from a million springs; the exceeding variety and freshness of its banks; the high picturesque mountains, and deep shaded valleys; the broad rich bottoms, and gently sloping hills; the handsome villages, and quiet hamlets; the bald, craggy precipices of rock, and dark, wild glens; and above all, with the broad, sleeping basins, and the noisy, shallow ripples of the Susquehanna. At its numerous crossings, whether by ford, ferry, or bridge, it has its own unpretending beauties, and holds, till its clear waters mingle with the brine of the sea, its pure, distinctive character. A few miles ride over some low hills, carried us into a dark passage, along the foot of a high mountain, which juts so boldly into the river, as to afford barely room for a carriage road on its rocky bank. On the sides of the road, were many varieties of mountain vegetation, among which I observed the white cedar, the stripped and mountain maples, the palmina latifolia and rhododendron. Manure cleared up, yielded the most valuable crops. As we At this place we passed the afternoon and night. It is prettily built, contains perhaps 1500 people, and was the earliest settlement in the valley. The principal Emerging from the mountain into an open country, street runs along the bank of the river, which no the declivity of a hill soon brought us in view of one where shows a more beautiful surface. The hotel is a of the sweetest spots on earth. As I stood upon the fine, large building, with a walk on its top, from which brow of that hill, and looked abroad over the peaceful, is a fine view of the whole valley. It is well kept, and quiet landscape, with pleasant dwellings and farms scat-belongs to a Mr. Hollenback, "the wealthiest man in tered over its bosom, its soil teeming with plenty, and yielding the richest fruits to its happy people; shut in, as it were, from the rude gaze of the world, like the hap. py valley of Rasselas, by its magnificent belt of mountains, I could not but exclaim with our own Halleck, "Thou com'st in beauty on my gaze at last, I looked back to the eventful scenes which this val- We descended into the valley, and a rich cultivated country spread all around us. From its northern entrance to its southern limits, it is almost a continual village. Large, comfortable, and in frequent instances, elegant farm-houses are seen, surrounded by fertile fields, meadows, out-buildings, and orchards. The valley has a width of from three to six miles, by a length of twenty, surrounded by high, thickly wooded mountains. The soil is mostly alluvial, with occasional scattered ridges of loam and gravel, assuming moderate elevations as they approach the base of the mountains. It is said that the first settlers found a growth of low, yellow pine, over a great part of the valley, and when all the country," and only son of Judge H., the earliest and most enterprising settler of the valley, who left to his heirs, large tracts of the finest lands. In the mountain, about a mile east of Wilkesbarre, we saw the first coal mines which abound through this section of country. It is here of but little value. A canal is commenced through this village, projected by the state to reach the coal mines of the Lackawannock mountain, a few miles above, and fully considered, appears to be a very useless branch of the wretched canal policy of Pennsylvania. Even were the canal finished, this coal could never pay for transportation when placed in competition with the mines of the Lehigh and Schuylkill. There is little else to transport, and for lumber, all prefer to raft it down the river. In truth, the whole course of this canal, as we followed it for forty miles, could be compared to nothing but a blind road leading out of the highway into the woods, not worth keeping in repair, as I shall hereafter notice. At bay-break we were again prosecuting our journey down the river among the fine farms which so thickly speckle the country. A few miles below Wilkesbarre, the valley terminates by the approach of a mountain on each side of the shore of the river. A dam is here built of several feet high, serving the double purpose of changing the canal to the opposite shore, and as a feeder to supply it with water. At this point, is one of the finest farms of the valley, and for variety and beauty of scenery, far the best; I can no further describe it than to say, that in every thing, it is just such a one as a good farmer, and an enlightened, educated man, would wish to possess and enjoy, who loves to lord it 1832.] TOUR FROM BUFFALO TO PHILADELPHIA, over a thousand acres, with his own mountain, valley, and river, in his domain. We crossed the river by a ferry, and bid adieu to the "Sweet Valley of Wyom ing" the host sententiously observed, "he'd try." During the little time occupied in preparing breakfast, I strolled along the banks of a brawling, stony brook, which tumbled down the mountain close by the house, where The road now follows the course of the river by the I discovered innumerable grape vines bending down side of the canal, which is finished, but not navigable, with clusters of large, wild fruit. They were not ripe, as the water is not yet let into it. The country here but the size was well developed, and on inquiry, I The mountains generally, found they were of the white, red, and black varieties, has nothing peculiar in it. approach near the river, with high precipitous banks of good flavor, and had been made in former years into of several hundred feet. At times, the mountains take good wine. The grape seemed to be very prolific in a broad sweep for a mile or more, on each side of the this whole valley, as the road sides were frequently river, enclosing a broad valley of the richest alluvion, lined with enormous vines spreading over the trees in divided into fine farms, and highly cultivated. The full bearing. We were soon called in, and sat down to farm of Gen. Beach, on the west bank of the Susque- the finest breakfast I ever tasted. Neatness was the hanna, about fifteen miles below Wilkesbarre, occupies order of the day. The table groaned with broiled chick. one of these charming valleys, and comprises nearly ens, fine sweet ham, and boiled eggs, delicious brook 1000 acres of its glorious bottoms. His house stands on trout, and silver eels from the Susquehanna. We had a fine elevation at the foot of the mountain, in a hand- fine hot rolls and toast; all kinds of vegetables, pickles,, some park of forest trees ornamented with a fish pond and condiments, accompanying a luxurious table, with All these, with the obliging attendance of and waterfall, with all his farm buildings in the back most excellent coffee, and plenty of good cream and ground. In the portico of his house can be seen the sugar. whole estate, with its broad, rich fields stretching away our good host, and a keen appetite, caused twenty mito the river, and numerous giant black walnuts luxuriat-nutes to pass away with great satisfaction. For all this, ing in their deep, native soil, scattered over them. I with as many fine ripe black-berries as we wished to eat, He would take no more; should not be thus particular in noticing individual farms the landlord had the unqualified assurance to charge were they not most excellent specimens of elegant agri- us twenty-five cents each! What a culture, connected with splendid landscape, acquired and when asked if he could live at that, he replied, that by individual enterprise, and reclaimed from their origi- "he had kept tavern many years, and had so far found nal forests by their present owners, who emigrated to it a very honest way to get a good living." breakfasts that I have eaten on our great stage routes in the country, young and needy adventurers; noble speci- contrast is this, thought I, to the many miserable sour mens of American perseverance and character. New York, at very grand looking houses too, for three or four shillings each. I might call names with well merited justice, but-let it pass. As we The canal, from its proximity to the hills, had received many heavy accessions of earth and wash from their sides in the late rains. In numerous instances, hunWe resumed our stage, and passing through a pleadreds of tons of gravel had washed into it, filling its bed for some rods. Boulders, too, of immense weight had sant farming country, arrived at a little town of Berwick, tumbled in, and could only be removed by blasting. thirty miles from Wilkesbarre, in the afternoon. Nor do I see how this work can ever be secured from had to turn off here to take the east road to Mauch Chunk, the continual recurrence of such accidents. The situa- we were obliged to lie over until the next morning. As tion of the canal renders it impossible to prevent it; and we are now to leave the valley of the Susquehanna, it The agriculture, compared with our own if I am not greatly mistaken, that line of the canal will may be well to remark, that taken together, it is a good be abandoned in absolute despair, of ever making it country. practicable or profitable. Here I cannot but bestow a state, is good, and in many instances, superior. But litpassing note of commendation on the profitable system tle attention appears to have been paid to the finer All through Pennsylvania, the teams of the of log-rolling, by which the state of Pennsylvania has breed of cattle or sheep. The horses, however, are exbeen inflicted with this miserable list of dry ditches all cellent. In order to get a canal where it might stages were very superior, vastly so to those generally over the state. be of public utility, at least, a half a dozen must be con- used in N. Y. The people appear industrious and above structed of no possible advantage, but to gratify local board, and no doubt enjoy their full share of happiness. The valley, howevpreference, or create a batch of state officers;-and so They are blessed with a fine climate, and fine health, this great state has gone on, borrowing money, and dig-with a serene sky and elastic air. ging canals, until she has expended thirteen millions, er, is, according to the American notions, full, and and has not a hundred miles of navigable public canal yearly pours out its quota to settle the far regions of in her whole state! What a proud contrast for the state the west. of New York. With an expenditure of ten millions she has constructed 500 miles of navigable canals; and ten years more, will see their whole cost, principal and interest, paid, almost from their own earnings. Berwick stands on a high bank, in a partial elbow of the river, opposite the mouth of the Nescopeck creek Susquehanna. The river here is broad, and rattles away and mountain, which are in full view on the east side of At nine o'clock we arrived at our breakfasting place, over a shallow, stony bottom, giving as usual, an ennineteen miles from Wilkesbarre. It was a fine farm, chanting look to the landscape. The quiet, little hamof some hundred acres, in a broad bottom of the river, let of Nescopeck, lies directly opposite, with which it with a long, low log house, tolerable barns, a good or- is connected by a covered bridge; here I saw a large chard, all at the foot of a mountain, and was a part of flock of fan-tailed pigeons, owned by a store-keeper of the interminable estate of the Hollenbacks. I am no the place. They were very beautiful birds, mostly At any rate, epicure, but like Basil Hall, who ate such a "glorious" white, and some a pretty buff color. He told me it rebreakfast of shad, hot-rolls, and coffee, on his arrival in quired some attention to keep them apart in their boxes, New York, I shall never forget the good cheer which as they were inclined to be quarrelsome. On driving up to the I made up my mind that, although they were pretty that old log house afforded us. door, I told my companion, who began to mutter at the birds, they were "more plague than profit." I also unpromising appearance of our hotel, that we should saw in the garden of the public house, a very thrifty get an excellent breakfast; and why, I could not tell; Munier and Chusselas grape, with only a bunch or two We had risen before day-break, and of fruit. In answer to my inquires, the landlord informbut I believed it. our ride had been a hard one, over some miles of quite ed me, that he had cultivated them several years, and rough road. The rooms of the house looked neat. they amounted to nothing, yielding little or no fruit, The and he merely tolerated them from a dislike to throw They were well white-washed, and wholesome. folks looked honest and tidy, and in answer to my ques- them away. They were well trained on a trellis, and tion, if he could give us something good for breakfast, the fault could not be in the culture. Yet this was in the midst of the most natural vine country I ever saw. It was to me only another instance of the folly of depending on foreign vines to make up our vineyards. Early the next morning we crossed the river and ascended the Nescopeck mountain on our way to Mauch Chunk. The distance is about thirty miles. The whole road lies over high mountains covered with scattered oak and yellow pine trees, of a stunted growth. It has been much exposed to the action of fire in autumn, and is mostly free from underbrush. A few sterile farms with tolerable buildings, are scattered along the road. The inhabitants are Germans. The soil is mostly a decomposed red sand stone, and the numerous streams that pass among the mountains have a reddish color. Immense masses of red and gray sand stone cover the ground, and the sides of many mountains seem to be laid up with them. We at last descended a long mountain into the deep glen through which the Lehigh tears its way. It is a rapid torrent of a stream, continually pitching over huge rocks and precipices which lie in its way, through the widest hollow in the world. After crossing over a piece of bushy, uneven ground, set about with stakes, and advertised for sale as a new village, we entered the deep, narrow gorge of the mountains, denominated the village of Mauch Chunk. To describe this place I am utterly unable. No one can have an idea of the place till they see it. It is at the head of the Lehigh canal, and the deposits of the immense mines of the Lehigh coal company, who have invested in this village, and the mines, together with the means of carrying on their coal operations, a capital of two millions. The mountains here shut in with almost perpendicular sides, and leave barely room enough for the Lehigh to pass between them. The road has been built out into the river, and the base of the mountain excavated to set up many of the buildings. There are a number of houses, stone stores, a large ware-house, a flouring mill, some iron works, a bank, and an excellent hotel. The third story of the hotel opens to an excavated terrace on the side of the mountain, and it is said that the sun is not seen here for three months in the year. The property nearly all belongs to the Lehigh company. At a little distance up a ravine, through which runs a noisy brook, are a great number of cottages, occupied by the workmen who are employed in the transportation of coal from the mines to the boats or to the yards. Ascending the mountain on foot, 4 or 500 fect, we came to the termination of the railway which leads along the side of the mountain nine miles, to the mines. From the termination, a steep inclined plane runs down the mountain to the river, over which the loaded cars pass to discharge their coal on the bank of the canal, or into the boats. A railway is laid on this inclined plane, and the cars are let down by a stout rope, which is let out and drawn up over a huge drum several feet in diameter by the aid of machinery. The empty cars, after discharging, are drawn up on the opposite track by the descent of the loaded cars. A great number of loaded cars were standing at the termination of the railway, waiting for an opportunity to discharge. They carry two tons each. The descent of the railway from the mines to its termination is about ninety feet in a mile. When it is desired to start off a train of cars from the mines, about fifteen of them are hitched together. A lever is attached to the left side of each car, so as to throw a strong friction on the fore wheels if they move too fast, or to stop them in case of accident. These levers are all connected by a rope. At the last end of every third train are eight cars in which are stationed 32 mules with troughs of provender before them, which they appear to be very philosophically munching. A steersman ascends the 4th or 5th coal car from the front, and takes the lever in his hand. A jog is given to the train, and away it goes to the lower end of the railway; the only particular care necessary, is, to prevent the cars running too fast, which is prevented by the friction of the levers. When the cars are discharged, the mules are attached alongside, and draw them back to the mines on the railway. Upwards of two hundred mules are employed on these cars. The main railway has but a single track. There are turn outs, however, where the empty cars always stop to let the loaded ones pass, and as they start at each end at particular hours, they are almost certain to a minute of the time of passing, and in no instance are the empty cars suffered to omit their stoppings unless notified that the loaded ones are not on the road, or that some accident has befallen them. The appear. ance of these loaded cars as they come rattling along the railway in separate trains, running at times on the very verge of a high precipice, when the least deviation would be instant destruction, with the noise issuing from them reverberating like thunder among the mountains, has a grand, imposing, and almost sublime effect. It at least furnishes a most impressive instance of the moral power of man over the grand depositories, and otherwise impassable obstacles of nature. Passenger cars are kept at the foot of the railway, which go twice a day to the mines. These cars are drawn by a single horse, and the passage is usually performed in one hour. The ride is certainly romantic, and to one not accustomed to it, might seem one of danger. The road is all the way on the side of the mountain, at the foot of which, at the distance of seve ral hundred feet, roars a rapid stream, and as the car is whirled swiftly along, the traveller often finds himself gliding on the brink of an enormous precipice, or overlooking a deep hollow of uncommon wildness. Numerous springs of the purest water burst out from the mountain and cross the track caused by the excavation of the road. The ride, on the whole, is a delightful one, and may be well recommended to the traveller, as it passes over one of the wildest specimens of mountain scenery. At the head of the railway are several houses, a tavern, and a number of stables belonging to the company. A large clearing is here made, but there are no signs of cultivation, except a few small patches for garden vegetables, and this whole country, for all agricultural purposes, has an appearance of utter desolation. We here took the stage and passed by the mines, or rather quarries, from which the coal is taken. They are situated on the west end of the mountain, and the surface now worked contains an area of perhaps five or six acres. The earth, trees, and rocks are removed from the surface to a depth of from five to ten feet, and the whole mountain then discloses a mass of solid anthracite coal. Hundreds of laborers were employed with picks and bars in getting up coal, and in some places many were engaged in drilling and blasting it off. They had excavated in many spots 30 or 40 feet in depth, and water courses were frequently constructed to carry off the vein of water which continually broke in upon them. Temporary railways were laid down in every direction among the quarries, on which the cars were drawn about by the mules to receive their cargoes; after which they were drawn up the main way, and placed in regular train for Mauch Chunk. The business is carried on with much regularity, and I could not but admire the advantages to the laborer of procuring his coal, where he can work in the clear light of heaven, in comparison with those dark and dismal pits of the Schuylkill, where the dingy miners, with little tin lamps hooked into their caps, plod over their gloomy task like the fabled Vulcans of the infernal regions. A ride of twelve miles carried us to the head waters of the Schuylkill, and the principal valley of that valu able coal district. Through all this region agriculture is scarcely known. The country is altogether composed of mountains and valleys, all filled with coal. Here are several good buildings erected for the accommodation of agents for the coal companies, and carriers. A railway commences at this point and continues to Port Carbon at the head of the Schuylkill canal. Another railway which commences near this place and runs to Port Clinton, many miles lower down on the Schuylkill, was nearly finished and ready for use. We took passage in a car on the road to Port Carbon, which place we reached in an hour, a distance of eight miles. This road was along the bottom of a wild valley near a branch of the Schuylkill. Numerous mountains terminated in this valley, and many hollows stretch out latterly from the main one between them. At nearly all these passes a little railway issued from the main one, and led up a narrow valley to the coal mines, some of which were in view as we passed. In some places huge banks of coal projected from the sides of the hills, and almost brushed the sides of the car as we passed them. ing with the harvests of the neighboring fields, and protected all round with high stone walls and warm cattle sheds bespoke an air of great comfort. The buildings generally, and many of the fences are built of stone, and of course, are of the most durable character. The agriculture is decidedly of a superior kind in general to that of Western New York. Every foot of ground is cultivated. We saw no bushes along the fences, nor no worn out land turned out into common, to resuscitate its exhausted energies, after years of abuse and in gratitude for its bounty. The country is well watered with pure streams, and the whole region has a most charming appearance. Many of these farms we were told would readily bring one hundred dollars an acre if thrown into market. We saw many of the finest stocks of cattle and horses of improved breeds. The roads are good, and the creeks arched with substantial stone bridges. It would be well if many of our wealthy farmers would visit that country. Aside from the pleasures of a summer journey, they might receive profit from their observations. Port Carbon is a small collection of houses, stores, and taverns, and an immense depot of coal, which is here discharged from the railways for shipment on the canal to Philadelphia. A ride of two miles in a carriage took us into Pottsville, a busy, over-grown village of 3000 people, surrounded by coal mines, and the principal place of supply for this immense coal region. The The pleasant and wealthy villages of Pottsgrove and Schuylkill coal is found in veins of greater or less mag- Norristown lie further down the Schuylkill. Inexnitude in the hills, and it is excavated from pits running haustable quarries of the best white and clouded blue into their side. A vein frequently runs many hundred, marble, abound in the uplands of this region. Philaand sometimes thousands of feet through these hills, delphia is supplied with immense quantities for buildcrooking about in its course, and often varying in its ele-ing, where it is sent by the Schuylkill canal. The invation. They are generally deposited between layers ferior qualities are frequently used in making stone of slate or sand rock, which, as the coal is taken out, walks, and the very general use of it all along the valhave to be supported by wooden posts, or in very ex- ley, in the construction of their buildings and appurte tensive veins, by pieces of coal which are left for that nances, creates an appearance of almost lavish liberality. purpose. We entered one which was about six feet in As we passed through Germantown, I saw the vinediameter, and followed it 1500 feet through puddles of yard of Mr. Bonsall. He cultivates none but the nawater, low and narrow passages, where we could only tive grape, the principal kinds of which are the Isabelget along on our hands and feet, and up steep, slippery la, Catawba and Alexander's, here called the York Mashutes to the place of excavation. The coal is dug up deira. His vines were thrifty and in fine order; and as with picks by the miners, who, notwithstanding the his method of training was rather different, and I think dreary nature of their employment, appear to be a con- superior to any other I have seen, I will briefly describe tented race of men. They throw the coal as it is mined it. Posts are inserted in the ground at twelve or fifteen down the shutes, when it is loaded into cars and drawn feet distance, which stand out of the ground six or eight out by mules or little horses, who regard the darkness feet as if for the construction of a common wooden of the pit as little as the miners. trellis. Instead of strips of board, iron wire of about number eleven is stretched from one post to the other the whole length of the trellis, beginning the lower line at about eighteen inches or two feet from the ground. The next line is two feet above this, and three or four lines complete the trellis. It is quickly made, and the advantages of it over the wooden kind are very obvious. The little hooks or feelers that throw them. selves out at every joint of the vine, at once clasp the wire, and hold the vine firmly to its place, thus answering their legitimate end, and saving a world of trouble in tying up and supporting the branches. Passing the night at Pottsville, at four o'clock next morning we left in the stage for Philadelphia. This is a place of much business. The canal passes through it, and immense quantities of coal are here shipped for the Philadelphia market. Heavy supplies of goods are received from there, and a large market is created for the provisions and lumber of the agricultural country. The surface here is less wild and rugged than that bordering on the Lehigh, and the hills, though high, are vested of much of their rough, mountain character. In passing down the valley of the Schuylkill, a tolerable farming country begins to appear, which gives some business and trade to the little towns of Orwigsburg and Hamburg in Schuylkill county. As we passed down the valley, the soil and agriculture improve, and the ancient German town of Reading, where we arrived to dinner, is surrounded by one of the finest farming neighborhoods in our country. This is a large well built, brick town with many quaint, old-fashioned houses, with 5000 people, and possessed of vast wealth. It is famous for the manufacture of hats, which has long been carried on to a great extent. The whole country around, and in fact all the way to Philadelphia, is thickly settled, almost universally with German families. By their habits of patient industry and good management, they have acquired great wealth. I have no where seen better farms. The fields are usually large, and are kept exceedingly neat. Much plaster is used, and the land is well manured. I have seldom seen better corn and oats. It is not peculiarly a wheat country, although considerable quantities are raised. The buildings are almost universally good, and the great stone barns, always built on a sunny slope, with the main body on the south or east side jutting a few feet over the basement or lower story, crammed, as they were, almost to burst The day after arriving in Philadelphia, we rode out to the residence of John Hare Powell, about a mile above the bridge on the west side of the Schuylkill, to see his cattle. He is a gentleman of wealth and has a fine house, which overlooks the river and city, delightfully situated in the midst of a noble park, finely shaded with a variety of deciduous and evergreen forest trees. Mr. P. was absent; and on inquiry we ascertained that previously to his going to England, a few months before, he had sold off part of his valuable stock of cattle, and sent the remainder on to a farm in the interior. We were, however, highly compensated for our visit, in being shown by his attentive agent two very superior cows, and the most perfectly fine young bull of the short horned Durham breed that I have ever seen. these animals he had imported from his own selections while lately in England; and notwithstanding their recent arrival and the hardships of an Atlantic voyage, looked extremely well. The bull I should judge might weigh on the hoof 2000; was two years old past, and his color a deep mahogony red or brown. We could not ascertain his cost in England, but the agent assured us that Mr. Powell selected him after much examination, and declared him the finest bull he had seen in England. All The corner stone of a Presbyterian Church, in this borough, was laid on the 3d instant, in the presence of a large concourse of citizens of both sexes. taste, and there is to be a cupola, if our funds will admit, 73 feet in height from the ground. "The estimated cost, as we propose now to finish it, is $5000. Of this sum, $3000 is already subscribed, $2100 of it in this borough; $200 in other parts of the county, and $700 in the city of Philadelphia. We are encouraged to hope, that we shall be able to raise the balance before our building is completed. "In the site we are happily all united, and our lot, 84 feet front by 145 feet deep, has been procured upon favourable terms. In connexion with it, and within two squares distant, we have presented to us from William Everhart, Esq. besides his handsome subscription, half an acre of land for a burial ground. Our contracts with the carpenters, mason, and for stone, have been advantageously made. The work is to be commenced immediately, and prosecuted vigorously; will be covered in this fall, and finished in less than a year. The ceremony consisted of a statement from Wm.II. Dillingham, chairman of the building committee, explaining their plan, resources, views, and objects, with some remarks upon the importance of the work. The "In the stone now to be laid, there will be deposited a document to be deposited was then read by Thomas S. glass vase, hermetically sealed, containing an account of Bell, Esq. a member of the committee, who was fol- the proceedings of this day, the names of the clergylowed by the Rev. Mr. Stevens in a highly appropriate men attending, the different committees, architect, carprayer, invoking the blessing of Heaven upon the en-penters, mason, and the subscribers to our fund, all terprize. The stone was then adjusted by the master handsomely written on fine paper, together with a builders and architect, when a concluding prayer was copy of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in offered up by Elder Simeon Siegfried. the United States, the Confession of Faith, and a copy Copy of the Document deposited: of the Holy Bible. As historical mementos, we have "On Tuesday, July 3d, one thousand eight hundred also inscribed upon our paper the names of the Presiand thirty-two, this corner stone of the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, "Was laid by the Rev. William A. Stevens, officiating Presbyterian clergyman in this borough; attended by William H. Dillingham, Henry Fleming, Asher Miner, Joseph A. Davidson, and Thomas S. Bell, building committee. "And assisted by the Rev. Levi Scott, and Thomas Sovereign, of the Methodist Church, and Elder Simeon Siegfried, of the Baptist denomination; in the presence of numerous other citizens assembled on the occasion. "Architect, Thomas U. Walter. "Carpenters, David Haines and Jas. Powell. "Stone mason, Eli Pyle. "President of the United States, Andrew Jackson. "Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, George Wolf. "Population of West Chester, 1500. "Corresponding committee, Rev. W. A. Stevens, Gen. John W. Cunningham, Thomas S. Bell, Wm. H. Dillingham. Collecting committee, William Everhart, Esq. Gen. John W. Cunningham, Robert Ralston, John T. Denny "Trustees, Ziba Pyle, Esq. Robert Ralston, Henry Fleming. "Thomas Williamson, Scripsit." Then followed the names of subscribers to the fund. Mr. John Cornog is the Marble mason. The contract with him not having been made until after laying the corner stone, his name does not appear on the document deposited. The following is a copy of the address which by request of the building committee has been furnished for publication. "We have assembled to lay the corner stone of a Presbyterian Church. The plan of the house we propose to erect has been furnished by a competent architect who will superintend its execution, and whose efforts thus far, have inspired general confidence. The building is to be of stone, rough-cast, 75 feet long by 45 feet wide, and 23 feet in height. It is calculated to seat 500 people on the ground floor, and galleries can hereafter be erected, to accommodate 300 more, if occasion should require. The foundation will be a few feet above the pavement, and a sufficient excavation has been made to admit of the construction of a basement story. The architecture is Grecian, in good dent of the United States and the Governor of the Commonwealth, and deposited therewith one of each denomination of silver coin struck in the year 1832. "This stone is laid in no sectarian spirit, and with no proselyting views. We believe that religion is essential to the very existence of society, and that without it men would soon become a prey to their bad passions, and civilization be driven from the earth. However any of us may come short in the profession or the pracbut feel and recognize its blessings. tice of it, with humility be it spoken, there are none "Whoever has seen a house of worship erected, a Christian church established, and piety to God successfully cultivated, has seen wholesome virtues and worldly prosperity spring up around it. There, he has seen who looks well to the ways of her own household; the the man who loves his neighbor as himself; the woman child who honors his parent. The people, respect those who are in authority; the magistrate, ruling in fear; and there he has seen the approving smile of heaven upon the work of men's hands. Striking evidences of this truth are before us and around us. Cast an eye over this prosperous and happy land; see the churches with their spires every where pointing to Heaven; review its history; religion was the corner stone of its settlement; oppression came; under cover of a solemn appeal to the God of battles, our forefathers achieved victory and independence. Religion is the corner stone of the government they established. The last official act of the great founder of our liberties, was to commend religion to his countrymen as the only safeguard of our institutions. "What a republic can do without religion, the world has seen. It is written in blood upon the page of history. Anarchy and crime are the incidents of that blood-stained page; confusion, horror, dismay, and despotism are in close attendance. Heaven avert such ills from us; and Heaven avert the unbelief and wickedness which should deserve them. "Who can suppose that but for the Christian piety of the followers of PENN, who first brought civilization to these sunny hills and smiling vales, Chester county would now have ranked fourth in population, third in wealth, and second to none in virtue and intelligence in this great commonwealth? Who but knows that the first impulse to improvement in our own thriving town, may be traced to the establishment here of a place of worship? Other sects have done their part; it remains |