built on an eminence, and seem by their situation to be too much
exposed to the rigorous winter season of this climate;,
The new theatre on the east side of the park is very elegantly
fitted up, and inUeh on the plan of Drury-lane, in London* but
proportionably on a much smaller scale. It is said there are some
very good performers on this stage; but as it was fresh painted, and
I found myself not well, I did not stay long there.
At some distance from New York is" a large public garden, arranged
for a Vauxhall, and sometimes in the summer season plays
are also performed here; the stage is built projecting from a house,
and the benches for the spectators are in the open air : the performers
correspond well with the indifference of the theatre. There
is a number of other public gardens for the recreation of the inhabitants,
but no walk is equal in beauty, particularly in point of
situation, to the Battery. Quite close to it is a public garden with
shaded alcoves, and a fountain in the middle of them; the walks
are lighted with coloured lamps, and a band of music playshere,
while ice creams, lemonade, and all other kinds of refreshments are
to be had.
It was at this time advertised that a Mr. Fullard would shew how
an enemy's ship might be blown up by an unexpected' attack from
under the water, and that he had bought an old large ship and
anchored her opposite the Battery, to shew the public this explosion,
which collected a great conflux of people on the parade ; but
after observing two ineffectual trials to blow up the ship I left thé
place: I have since, however, heard, that on the third trial it succeeded
; but the people felt themselves much disappointed, as they
saw nothing but what they well knew before, that gunpowder could
blow up a vessel. As this ship, however, made no resistance, and
such a length of time was consumed in the operation, it cannot possibly
answer the intended effect against an enemy,
Mr. Fullard has been more successful in an experiment to build
a vessel to go against utide ; iti is ddne by a steam engine bringing
in motion two large wheels, which ami »situated outside of the
vessel in the ■maddl^/in: the form of a water-millwheel. I went with
two ;sea captains: toAshfe vessel, and both said, she was about one
hundred and fifty tons, and that the, steam; engine and . the ovea
took up so much that she would be able tp carry only-a cargo of
sixty tons; b u t the intention is not so much fonusing her in the
carriage Of goods, as far a packet to go uf) -theriyer Mississippi.
Mr. F. has already made several short excursions with good effect;
and that this invention may be attended with complete success is
iriuch to be wished.
Mr. E. Smidt has a country house most, charmingly situated, and
with him and his family, I have spent many days in very pleasant
society. But I have been several times much indisposed here, which
I principally ascribe to th e .rapid change of-the weather; -for instance,
the thermometer of Fahrenheit was one day 94 degreos, and
the next day 72; the next day following 65. And should I have
been obliged to stay the winter season here, my constitution would
probably have suffered very much by i t : but a brig has been advertised
as sailing to Lisbon, and Mr. Wheaton has told me that he
and his friends had not the least doubt I'would remit their advances,
when I should arrive in Europe, and were willing not only to furnish
me with all my further wants in this country, but also for my passage
to Europe, if I should not wish to postpone* it any longer. As an
embargo in all the United States is expected soon to take place, I
accepted, therefore, more readily their - present kind offer, and directly
agreed with Capt. Hunter for my passage for Lisbon, in the
brig Unity, and the captain thinks tO sail in a few days.
On my departure from the United States, I will give you some
remarks on the general character of the inhabitants, as far as I had
opportunity to observe it, «in a tour through different states, in
an acquaintance*with many families of this nation, and even in