formed an oblong square, of two miles long and one mile broad. Some considerable deviations, however, have been made from this plan, as a great number of persons have been induced by the conveniency of the situation, to build their houses at the bottom of the bank, and though the city was indeed begun on the side next to the Delaware, it has not been carried on towards the Schuylkil, as was first intended; this, however, may be easily accounted for, by contemplating the great dissimilarity between the two rivers.

The generality of the houses, within the boundaries of the city, are constructed of brick. Many of those, which have been recently built, are airy, light, and convenient; but the old parts of the town are exactly the reverse. There are, indeed, but few houses in Philadelphia, whose dimensions or architecture are particularly worthy of attention. The largest and most remarkable one, is erected in Chesnut-street, but as it is at present in an unfinished state, though 50,000 guineas have been lavished upon it, it is described as a heavy mass of brick and pale-blue marble, equally destitute of elegance and simplicity.

Exclusive of the new bank of the United States and the Presbyterian church, the public edifices are heavy piles of brick and blue marble, by no means congenial to a refined taste. The church, situated in High-street, is embellished with a beautiful portico, supported by six Corinthian pillars; but the view of this building is greatly obstructed by the market-place, which stands immediately opposite, in the centre of the street. The other buildings, most admired by strangers, are the state-house; the house of the president; the bettering house; the hospital; and the prison.

The state-house, situated in Chesnut-street, and appropri ated to the use of the legislative bodies, excites the admiration of the spectator, whose memory reverts to the small space of time that passed between the building of the first cabin in Philadelphia, and the erection of this edifice. Attached are the city and congress halls, in the former of which, the courts of justice are held, including the supreme court of the United States and that of Pensylvania. The latter is used for the

transaction of business by the congress. It consists of two rooms, the lowermost, about 60 feet long, and void of any decoration, is occupied by the representatives of the lower house; and the higher story, called the senate chamber, is fitted up in a style of superior elegance.

The original plan of the building, denominated the president's house, is said to have been drawn by a private gentleman, in the vicinity of the city; but a committee, assembled for considering the plan, and directing the work, reversed the position of the stories, placing the lowermost at top, by which means the decorative pilasters seem to be suspended in the air. It was also contrived that the windows of the grand apartments should open towards the back part of the adjacent houses, instead of facing an extensive area, in front of the edifice, as was first designed. At the time of Mr. Weld's researches the building was incomplete, and as the seat of government is removed to the city of Washington, it will in all probability be applied to some other purpose than the residence of a president.

The bettering house, erected at some distance from the houses of the city, is a large, brick edifice, embellished with extensive gardens. At this place the hapless sons and daughters of indigence are supplied with comfortable food and lodg ing, by the overseers; and many aged persons, who have experienced the inconstancy of fortune, find an asylum within these walls, from the severity of the winter. During their temporary residence they are permitted to walk out whenever they please; and, providing their behaviour is consistent with decorum, they experience but little restraint. This admirable institution is maintained by an assessment on the inhabitants of the city.

The hospital is described as one of the most excellent in the uriverse, on account of its airiness, excellent accommodations for invalids, and the surprizing neatness that reigns in every part of the building. It is not yet completed, but one wing and a portion of the centre were sufficiently attractive, to claim our author's admiration, and the other parts are in great forwardness. This building is two stories high, and underneath

are several cells for the reception of lunatics. The institution is expressly designed for the alleviation of human misery, whether in mind or body; and though it is prudently decreed that no person shall be admitted whose diseases are contagious, yet the attending physician is authorized to attend such patients, and to supply them with requisite medicines, without demanding any remuneration. The situation of this hospital is within the boundaries of the city, though upwards of a quarter of a mile distant from any other habitation. In the year 1793, the sum of 10,000l. was granted, by the legisla ture, for the purpose of enlarging it, and adding a foundling and lying-in hospital. The same year, its productive stock was computed at 17,0657. currency; and we add with pleasure, the annual contributions are extremely liberal.

The prison is a stone building of great extent, containing a series of solitary cells, that are all vaulted, to prevent the communication of a sudden fire, and supplied with large yards, surrounded by high walls.

According to the penal laws, recently enacted at Pensylvania, no persons are to be deprived of their existence, but such as have ensanguined their hands with the blood of their fellow creature. All other crimes are punished, according to their magnitude, by solitary confinement, for a certain number of years. This excellent mode of chastising the guilty is not only designed for an expiation of past enormities, and an example of terror to the unprincipled part of mankind, but likewise for the reformation of the unhappy culprit, who, on his first delivery to the jailor, is obliged to wash, and, after being furnished with clean and decent clothing, is thrown into a cell, about three yards long and four feet wide, where he is secluded from the sight of every human creature, except the man appointed to administer to his necessities; and even he is forbidden to exchange any conversation, unless upon some case of emergency. If a prisoner proves refractory, or if he has for feited his liberty through some atrocious act of wickedness, he is then secured in a cell, where the sweet light of heaven is perpetually withheld from his view. This is the most severe punishment that can be inflicted, as he is then left to his own VOL. II.---(27)

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heart-wounding reflections, immured in gloom and solitude, and vainly endeavouring to shun the horrors of a clamorous and polluted conscience: a situation well calculated to reduce the most obdurate criminal to penitence and humiliation.

Twelve citizens, elected annually for that philanthropic purpose, are called the inspectors of the jail, who cheerfully undertake the troublesome task, without the most distant view of lucrative emolument, and who visit every quarter of the prison twice a week. A just opinion is thus formed of the state of the prisoners, and the treatment of each individual is regulated accordingly. The prisoners are compelled to bathe twice a week, requisite conveniences being procured, and likewise to change their linen. Such as are confined in the solitary cells have no other allowance than bread and water; but those who are employed in any kind of labour have an allowance of broth, puddings, &c. besides a small portion of meat, that is distributed twice every week. Their only beverage is water, as no person is allowed to carry any other liquor to them on any occasion. This diet is found to be the best adapted to the use of the criminals, as it at once enables them to perform their appointed work, and preserves a humility of mind congenial to their situation. The prisoners usually work at their accustomed trade, if it can be carried on in a jail. A separate ward is set apart for tailors, shoe-makers, carpenters, &c. and the yards are occupied by smiths, stone-cutters, and nailors. The strictest decency and good order are maintained by the overseers, who prohibit all laughing, singing, and useless conversation, under the dreaded penalty of solitary imprisonment. The females are kept separate from the men, and have such employments given them as are deemed the most suitable to their sex and abilities. Divine service is performed regularly every Sunday, when every culprit is obliged to attend; and they likewise receive much benefit from the salutary instructions of the chaplain, who frequently converses with them upon subjects of the greatest importance. The weekly visitors likewise contribute their warmest exertions to those of the minister, and the prisoner, when liberated, re-enters the theatre of the world with expanded ideas, a humble spirit,

and habits of sobriety: and, on his emancipation from a place which may be more aptly termed a penitentiary-house than a jail, the benevolent men, who have snatched him from impending ruin, and, by a well-timed philanthropy, wrought an important change on his callous heart, now exert themselves to find him an immediate employment. For such persons as are sick, there are proper accommodations and excellent advice, and the strictest attention is incessantly paid to the health of the prisoners.

Our author observes, that prisons are established in every county in Pensylvania, but there are none at present that will bear a comparison with that of Philadelphia, whither offenders are frequently sent from other parts of the state, on account of its superior excellence; and which is so admirably conducted, that, instead of proving a burden, as is generally the case, it produces a considerable addition, annually, to the revenue. -The streets of Philadelphia intersect each other, at right angles, according to the original design of the founder; the principal one is about 100 feet wide, and the others vary from 15 to 80. They are all paved in the middle with pebble stones, and a foot-way of red brick is constructed on each side, for the accommodation of passengers.

Beyond the boundary of the oblong square the houses are said to be in the liberties, as the corporation has no jurisdiction over that part of the town. The streets are here destitute of that uniformity which constitutes the chief architectural beauty of the city.

The population, including native citizens, English, Irish, Scotch, French, and Germans, is computed at 50,000 individuals. The generality of the inhabitants are engaged in some sort of business; and even those who have retired to enjoy the fruits of their industry, are continually watching for an advantageous purchase of lands, which, in America, may be justly denominated an article of trade.

The women, while blest with youth, are extremely pretty; but, in the course of a few years, their complexions suffer a materia! change, their teeth exhibit signs of a speedy decay,