Boston is about four miles in circumference, in shape an oblong, or nearly circular. It is almost surrounded by water, being joined to the main land by a narrow neck, extending in the direction of Roxbury, to which the buildings join. It is only separated from Cambridge and Charlestown by Charles' river, and from Dorchester and South-Boston by a part of the bay, over which there is likewise a bridge. These lie south, Cambridge lies west, and Charlestown lies north, or nearly so. Boston contains 1 new state-house, 1 old do. a court-house, a hall for police, Fanueil hall, a prison, an alms-house, a house of correction, a hospital, a dispensary, a theatre, a circus, a custom-house, a city library, a law library, an athenæum, a museum, 2 market-houses, 6 bridges, 3 wharves and the mall, an observatory, and 7 banks. It has also 32 houses for public worship, viz. 12 Congregationalists and Unitarians, 4 Episcopalians, 4 Baptists, 4 Universalists, 3 Methodists, 1 Roman Catholic, 1 Friends, 1 New-Jerusalem, 1 Seamen's chapel, and 1 African. The wharves of Boston are among the first public buildings in the city, and a subject of admiration to all who visit them: they extend to a great distance in the water, to wit, central and long wharf, 1,240 feet. The India wharf is also of considerable length. These wharves are lofty brick houses, with a street on each side, for the lading of vessels, the water being too shallow for vessels to come near the shore, as they do at New-York. The buildings on those wharves surpass any idea that can be formed of symmetry and proportion: so uniform in height, that no line can be drawn with more exactness; particularly central wharf, the whole of the buildings being four stories high, built of the best burnt brick, and occupied for stores. I mean the wharves are all four stories high, and of brick, but the central wharf being more recently built, is more showy. Nothing can look more grand than these wharves stretching out into the bay to such an amazing length. The state-house requires little more to be said. It is called the new state-house, to distinguish it from the old one. It stands upon a lofty eminence, called Mount Vernon, at the head of the mall.* It is built of brick, and very

* Pronounced Mal by the citizens.

high in proportion to its relative size. It has a splendid dome and cupola of astonishing height, with stairs leading many a weary round, out upon the top. It fronts the mall, with a colonnade of singular beauty. The legislature of the state holds its sessions in the state-house; the treasurer of the state, the adjutant general, and secretary of state have their offices there. The governor and council also sit in the state-house. The interior is not very splendidly decorated, but quite enough so. The legislative halls are on the second story, and are very simple indeed; the members sitting upon semi-circular seats, without desks; the speaker's chair is distinguished by no frippery or pomp. From the centre is suspended a costly brass chandelier, which was presented to them by a relation of mine!-His name, and the date of the year it was presented, is engraved upon it. This unexpected memento, which was lowered for my inspection by my conductor, filled me with emotions which may easily be imagined. In strolling through the building, I came across several relics of the continental war, which deeply interested me. I remembered that war!-I remembered the uniform!-A hat worn by the Light Infantry, another of a non-commissioned officer, one of the caps worn in the tents, one or two knapsacks, all of humble materials; the hats were small, coarse, round crown, bound round with coarse ferret, such as our dandies would disdain. Besides these, there was a bayonet, a spur, and the hilt of a sword; all were rusty, and showed the marks of time. They were brought to Boston from West Point, and are carefully preserved in the office of the adjutant-general. Having mentioned the mall now the second time, I may as well dispose of it, while I am in the neighborhood, and have it full in my eye, nothing but a street between us. Moreover, in disposing of it, I dispose of the most interesting part of the city. The mall (which is often called the common,) is an extensive plot of ground, enclosed and designed for the amusement of the citizens: it is very large, comprising between 11 and 12 acres, nearly square; it has a gentle descent from the state-house to the water, which spreads out into a wide sheet at its lowest extremity. It

is planted with beautiful flourishing trees, and has a large pond fed by a spring in the centre. Near this pond stands the celebrated great elm, a drawing of which has been eagerly sought by the neighboring cities; this tree was planted by Mr. Quincy, the father of Mrs. Scott, the widow of the celebrated Hancock, who signed the declaration of Independence, the same family who gave name to Quincy, the residence of the venerable John Adams. It is a tree of great size, but not very high; the top, however, branches out in great luxuriance. The city of New-York has offered a premium for the best drawing of this tree, and several artists are now engaged in the performance: such is the renowned "mall." But the mall must be seen and enjoyed, to obtain an accurate idea of it. Here the citizens repair in sultry weather, to breathe the refreshing breeze from the ocean. Here may be seen the young and the old of both sexes, particularly of an evening; the gay dresses of the ladies are now fluttering in the wind before me. The spruce beau, the pert apprentice, the statesman, and the beggar, all tread the mall in the pride of independence; but I must quit this pleasing scene for one less pleasant.

Old State House.-The old state-house is a large brick building, at the head of state-street, which runs east and west; it stands about the middle of the city, has a cupòla, and looks venerable from age. It is now used as a masonic hall, and sundry public offices are kept in it. Formerly the general court, (as the legislature is called in Massachusetts,) held their sittings in it.

Fanueil Hall.-At the foot of state-street, a little to the left, stands Fanueil hall, famous in history as the rallying point from whence the adventurous sons of freedom hurled their thunderbolts upon inordinate ambition. Fanueil hall is a large building of brick; the basement story is now, and always has been, used as a markethouse. It is open on all sides, and filled with butchers and butcher's meat; the second story comprises the hall, with one or two small offices at one end. The upper one,

or third story, contains the city arms. The hall is kept locked up, except upon particular occasions, such as the fourth of July, or Washington's birth-day, or some ex

traordinary meeting of the citizens. The clerk of the market opened the door, and left me to contemplate, in silence, this sacred cradle of American liberty-who, that has read the history of his country, has not dwelt with interest upon the soul-trying scenes which passed within these walls! The hall is of considerable length and looks as fresh as though it were finished yesterday. It is neat, but plain, and without galleries: gentle elevations appear on each side, in different rows, in the form of steps, reaching from one end to the other, upon which the listening crowd were wont to stand to hear the immortal Hancock and Adams. A full length portrait of Fanueil, who presented the hall to Boston, in an old fashioned dress, adorns the upper end of the hall, a little to the right of the humble chair, once filled. by virtue and undaunted courage! The floor on which I tread was once pressed by the feet of those illustrious. heroes!-yes, from that seat resounded a voice which shook Great Britain to her centre!-Liberty or death! Great souls-great in council, great in the field-transcendent men, well do you merit the plaudits of admiring ages! A wreath of flowers and evergreen hangs over the chair. I left the hall with deep impressions of the interest I took in its sanctity, and went above to view the arms. The city of Boston is divided into ten companies; each company is designated by different names, and different uniforms. The arms, &c. of every company, are deposited in a separate room; these are disposed in the neatest and most complete manner of any companies to be found. Each man has his gun, a cartridgebox, a knapsack, a tin cup, a hat, (or cap.) and canteen, so precisely disposed that they may equip themselves at a moment's warning. Each man has his accoutrements numbered; this number is legibly marked upon the wall where he must place his accoutrements, under penalty of fine. No mistake in these Bostonians. Drums, fifes, and colors all in complete order. The market is just under them; they have nothing to do, but fill their knapsacks and march.

Court-House.-The court-house stands between the old and new state-houses. It is a very handsome build

ing, I should say the handsomest public edifice in the city. It is built of white free stone, and the work is well executed. It cost $92,000. The courts sit in this building. The mayor holds his courts in it. It contains several offices, besides a law library, containing about 1,700 volumes entirely devoted to the subject of law!

Massachusetts general Hospital.-The general hospital is a vast building of stone, at the north west extremity of the city. It is handsomely ornamented with a glass cupola, and is the most spacious building in the city. It differs little from the Philadelphia hospital in the neatness and convenience of the apartments. The floors of the Massachusetts general hospital are painted; those of Philadelphia, New-York, and Baltimore are not. There are more patients in the same room in the former, neither are the insane admitted in this as in Philadelphia and Baltimore, a very judicious improvement. The asylum for the insane is in Charlestown, and makes a part of the general hospital, being under the direction of the same trustees, and subject to the same regulations. The general hospital was founded in 1811, but did not go into operation till 1818. Fifty-six gentlemen from different parts of the state, were incorporated by the name of the "Massachusetts general hospital," with power to hold personal and real property to the amount of $3000, income per annum. The charter constitutes the governor, lieutenant gevernor, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house, and the two chaplains of the legislature, a board of visitors semi-annually.

The corporation choose a president, a vice president, twelve trustees, a treasurer, and secretary by ballot, to serve for one year. The trustees choose (by ballot,) eight practitioners in physic and surgery, who are called consulting physicians. They likewise choose an acting physician, an acting surgeon, a superintendant, and matron, for each department, one of each for the hospital, and the same for the asylum for the insane.

The corporation meet annually, when all the doings of the trustees are laid before them. The trustees meet quarterly, when all reports, books, accounts, and minutes, relating to the general hospital are strictly examin