Transcriber's Notes:
The copy number in the original was unreadable.
Inconsistent spelling left as in the original.
Two Hundred Copies reprinted October, 1916, from The Ariel,Philadelphia, 1829-30, for George P. Humphrey, Rochester, N. Y.
No.
[We have been politely favored with a manuscript journal of a veryintelligent traveller, kept during a tour through the most thrivingcounties of the state of New York. We give an extract below, and shallcontinue to furnish others until the whole shall have been published.The journal will be found to contain the observations of a sound,practical farmer, and a lover of the works of nature as well as those ofart. We recommend it to the attention of our friends in the country, andto readers generally; believing it well worthy of an attentiveperusal.]
May 5th.—Left Bristol Pa., at eight o'clock, in the SteamboatTrenton, for New York. About ninety passengers were on the way-bill, notone of which I knew. Amongst our number was the celebrated Miss ClaraFisher—famed for her aptitude in personating variety of character,having wonderful powers of mimicry. She is certainly a very interestinggirl, and attracted much attention; but the gaze of strangers wasevidently very disagreeable to her, and she apparently coveted not muchscrutiny. Nothing occurred on our route worth notice. Having had apleasant passage, we arrived at New York about five o'clock.
I took my lodgings at Mrs. Man's boarding-house, No. 61, Broadway.After making some improvement in my appearance, such as brushing up myhat and coat, and brushing off my beard, I issued forth into thesplendid avenue, where all the beauty and fashion of this gay city dailypromenade, to enjoy the pleasure of a walk. After walking and walking,[Pg 8]and walking further, until my feet exhibited an alarming regiment ofblisters, I wended my tedious way back to my lodgings—took a peep atthe medley of boarders that thronged the house—looked at (but did nomore than taste) the shaved dried beef and prepared bread-and-butteron the supper-table—for the former was cut in true Vauxhall style, onepound to cover half an acre, and the latter was only alarmed bybutter—sipped a dish of tea, and made my escape to bed, ruminating onthe horrors of an empty stomach tantalized by a New York supper.
May 6th.—Got up early, fresh and active—had a good night's rest, inspite of a slim supper—paid for that and my bed—one dollar—justfour times as much as the whole was worth. Pushed off to the NorthAmerica steamboat, and took passage to Albany—fare, two dollars. Thenight boats, as they are called, that is, the boats which go in thenight, are some of them as low as one dollar, board included; but youlose the pleasure which even common minds must feel when gazing on theglorious scenery that fringes the borders of the mighty Hudson, andwhich, to a stranger, fully makes up the difference. The North Americais a splendid and superior boat, far surpassing all others that ply uponthe Hudson, and ploughs her majestic course through the waves at therate of fifteen miles an hour. I should estimate the number ofpassengers on board to-day at three hundred, all of whom had the[Pg 9]appearanc