which I was told is sufficient to see every thing remarkable in the
town. I took, therefore, a place in the Boston stage coach, which
is very neat, and has the appearance of an English sociable, open
on the sides, and decorated with silk fringed .curtains; if it happens
to become rainy, then oil-skin blinds are let,down. The coach goes
on springs, and our nine passengers were seated very comfortably,;
The road here is very good. Patuxent-bridge is the first remarkable
place; it lies five miles from Providence, and contains several manufactories,
hut there was no time allowed the passengers in the
coach to see them, which makes this method of travelling by a
public stage so very unpleasant; and should I find i t advisable oh
my arrival a t New York, to make a general tour through the United
States, I would rather prefer going on horseback* than being hurried
in this manner through the country. The nearer we approach
to Boston, the more the villages have au appearance of opuleiic©?
but it is surprising to see in the. orchards the fruit trees almost co-'
vered with large nests of caterpillars,: of whichThey easily might be
cleared. Much Indian com is cultivated in this part of the-country $
the inhabitants make bread half of Indian corn and half of ;rye;
of a very good taste,;and which must be as nourishing as :it is
agreeable, a
When I arrived at Boston, I delivered the letter of introduction,'
which Mr. T. had been so obliging as to provide me with, to one
of the most respectable houses here in: the mercantile linej i Tins
gentleman, when he learnt I was so much pressed in point .of time;
was so good:as to accompany me to the principal buildings in the
place, of which the most conspicuous is*the state-house, lying oh an
eminence, and ornamented with a large dome, which gives a gran-,
deur to the appearance of the town, although perhaps an architect
might. criticize its different proportions. From the dome is. ,en-,
joyed a most extensive view. The town of Boston appears on an
isthmus, and is situated on different eminences ; in the surrounding
valleys a féw streets are: regularly built, and there are many handsome
houfeesv':
The harbour !is said to be about six miles wide, and runs about
four milesinland, surrounded by many small islands, forming several,
beautiful eminences: between Governor island and Castle
island is the grand entrance of the harbour, which: is esteemed
about half a milé wldilf Before the state-hous«.; is a public walk,
shaded with large trees, and where the troops parade. Though this
pleasure’ground is?of!h considerable extent, and in a situation where
many persons wish’ to havé houses built, so that very high offers
have been made for thé, purchase of the ground, yet they have
always been refused by the government^ in order to keep the place
opèn for the benefit and health of the public.
A-ththe University of Cambridge; near Boston, a considerable
library in all branches of sciences has been collected; but the museum
of nattrral history is: véry indifferent. I was assured, however,
that there is a very interesting eahitet at Salem; the principal merchants,
and many captains in that place, trading to the East Indies,
who'are'subscribers to it, having vied with each other in. their endeavours
to procure the most curious specimens for it; but many
considerations prevented me from going thither.
In the afternoon the friend of Mr. T. in a very elegant chaise,
took me to the environs of; the town, which are very pleasantly variegated
by many considerable villages, and fine country houses.
We stopped at Bunkers Hill ; and as this gentleman was well-informed
of every spot where the action had been'fought, I obtained
a very interesting : account of it from him. On the eminence is
erected a monument, by the Solomon's lodge of Free Masons, in
memory of the battle.
The long wharf at Boston is reckoned to be seventeen hundred
and forty-five feet, running in a straight line into the bay, and; on
this wharf are eighty large store-houses; all built of wood, and