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at no distant day, as the main line, with its numerous projecting branches, now is.

Three miles above Schuylkill Haven we reach MOUNT CARBON, which was formerly the terminus of the Reading Railroad. A large quantity of coal is also shipped from this place, from which several lateral railroads extend to the coal mines in the vicinity of Pottsville, Port Carbon, St. Clair, Tuscarora, and other mining districts. The handsome cottage on the slope of the hill on the opposite side of the river, is the residence of Mr. Walker, superintendent of this section

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of the railroad. The stone octagonal building in front of it, is his office. On the left, and near the railroad, is the Mansion Hotel, now conducted by Mr. Head, one of the most distinguished caterers on the American continent. His reputation, in connection with hotels, is so well established, and so preeminently superior to what is ordinarily associated with country inns, that no remark of ours could add one jot to its value. While proprietor of the Mansion House in Third street, Philadelphia, his guests-always few in number-comprised some of the most distinguished and opulent citizens which the country could boast. His wines were recognized as indisputably superior to those of any public or private gentleman in the city, while his table d'hote literally groaned beneath the sumptuous dishes spread out upon it.

This hotel has recently been materially enlarged and improved.

It is the only establishment, in this part of the country, specially adapted for the accommodation of summer visitors to the coal region -being large and airy, and sufficiently near Pottsville to render it readily accessible, and sufficiently distant to avoid its dust and business excitements. It has an extensive and beautiful park attached, with bowling house, and other arrangements for out-door amusements. The location, as may be supposed from a glance at it, is extremely cool and pleasant in the summer, as well as quiet and retired. The nights are particularly refreshing, and sleep is to be enjoyed, after the heat of the day, with a vigor perfectly unknown in the crowded city. Some time since, the family of Iterbide, formerly Emperor of Mexico, and the family of Mr. Tucker, the distinguished President of this road-(and the Emperor of American Railway Managers) made this hotel their annual summer quarters.

POTTSVILLE, nearly a mile above this hotel, is the great theatre of the anthracite coal trade. It is situated principally on the northern slope of Sharp Mountain, which constitutes the boundary of the coal formation. The present population is about eight thousand, included in which are some of the most active merchants, coal operators, and business men to be found anywhere in the State. The citizens are remarkably intelligent and enterprising, and there is probably no place in the commonwealth where the people combine a greater amount of practical intelligence with the accomplishments of travel and scholastic learning. The evidences of their industrial energy are scattered broadcast throughout the coal region-above as well as below ground. Schuylkill county presents a perfect net-work of railroads and canals, and there are probably upwards of one hundred and fifty miles of the former laid down below the surface of the earth. At nearly every turn in the road, the stranger will hear the loud puff of the colliery steam-engines, and the shrill whistle of the locomotive resounding through the narrow valleys and passes of mountains. Pottsville itself contains several large machine-shops, as well as a railroad and bar-iron rolling mill, recently erected. All the stationary steamengines used in the coal regions are made here or in some of the adjacent villages. The heavy machinery used in the railroad mills at Phoenixville and other places, was produced here, and it is probably a sufficient compliment to her mechanics to say, that their productions are properly appreciated where they are subject to the severest test, which is in their own immediate locality.

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