ed that they were effectually protected by the Constitution of the United States, which guarantees free toleration to all sects of religion, and this being their tenets, they were free to enjoy it. These were said to be either from the state of Maine or New-Hampshire, (I do not recollect which.) They called themselves the pilgrims. Their tenets were continual travelling and trusting to the Lord, or to chance, for subsistence. I have not heard of them since they were said to be grossly ignorant and immoral.

We passed the celebrated falls of Pawtucket, about 12 o'clock, at a small village of the same name. Pawtuck. et river forms the line between Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Pawtucket village is on Rhode Island shore: opposite to which are the falls. The river is quite an ordinary stream, not larger than Elk River, in Virginia, or Little Sandy, in Kentucky. The water falls over a rock, which constitutes a natural dam, running quite across the bed of the river, in a semi-circular form. The fall is said to be about fifty feet, nearly perpendicular. Of this, however, I was unable to judge, as the bridge, upon which we cross the river, is built partly over the falls, and by this means, the nature and beauty of the falls are almost wholly concealed. They are seen to most advantage below the bridge. Though the falls were to me a matter of little curiosity, they seem to variegate the scenery of the place, which is highly romantic. These falls are the means of much wealth to the citizens of Rhode-Island, by enabling them to establish sundry manufactories of cotton, iron, flour, &c. I rode over to see these factories during my stay at Providence. They are somewhat like the Waltham factory, but greatly inferior in the machinery. At Pawtucket the spinning part is performed by the movement of a machine, which requires the aid of two persons. They weave ticking, shirting, and sheeting. They also print calico, but it is miserable stuff. I found no person in the shops, or out of them, that was either able or willing to give any satisfactory information as to the capital stock, or quantity of cloth manufactured. One of those

who attended the looms, said they wove (that is, each loom) twenty yards per day.

Providence. Providence is a very romantic town, lying partly on two hills and partly on a narrow plain, about wide enough for two streets. It is divided by Providence River, (over which there is a bridge,) on both sides of which, on the margin, are the principal houses of business. On one side of the river the ascent is sudden, on the other, it is gradual. It contains 14 houses for public worship, a college, a jail, a theatre, a market-house, 8 banks, an alms-house, part of which is an hospital, and 12,800 inhabitants. The churches are very splendid, and the jail is tolerable; but the poorhouse does not deserve the name, and the hospital is a wretched abode, disgraceful to the town. I found about half a dozen prisoners in the jail, in all, some of whom were confined for debt. These, however, bore the marks of humane treatment. The poor-house is an old building, in the most unwholesome part of the town. There were about twenty paupers in it, the dirtiest set of beings I ever saw. I found five maniacs in the hospital, lying on straw upon the floor, which looked as though it had not been swept or washed for years. The citizens, however, are engaged in measures to render those establishments more comfortable. Providence is mostly built of wood, though there are many fine brick edifices in it. The Presbyterian church is ornamented with a handsome dome and collonade, and is one of the finest buildings in the United States. The streets are wide and regular, and most of them paved, with handsome side-walks, planted with trees. It is a very flourishing beautiful town, and carries on an extensive trade with the East Indies. They have, besides this, a number of coasting vessels employed in the cotton business. The town of Providence alone owns 6 cotton factories, 2 woollen factories, 12 jeweller's shops, where jewelry is manufactured for exportation. It has also, many iron founderies, where those iron looms for the cotton factories are made; likewise a bleaching establishment, where 12,000 yards are finished per day. It employs 60

hands and has a capital of $40,000. Rhode-Island is the greatest manufacturing state in the Union, having, at least, 150 cotton factories, and the whole business of these is done by Providence. Besides those articles, Providence manufactures various others. The citizens are mostly men of extensive capital. The firm of Brown & Ives is among the greatest in New-England. I made several attempts to visit Brown University, but was finally disappointed. I called several times at the house of the President, but never found him in. The buildings stand on the highest part of the town, in a beautiful situation, but they are not extraordinary, either for size or architecture. I saw but two old brick buildings, with much of the glass broken out of the windows, and every appearance of neglect and decay; and, worse than all that, I saw a specimen of the politeness of the students, which reflects no great honour upon the Institution. I am told it is well endowed, has a president and 10 professors, and averages 150 students. By a rule, the president and majority of the trustees must be of the Baptist religion. This sect is the prevailing religion of Providence.

Manners and Appearance.-The citizens of Providence are mild, unassuming, artless, and the very milk of human kindness. They are genteel, but not so refined as the people of Boston. Most of them are deeply and closely engaged in business, and they have not that leisure to improve by reading, which the Bostonians have; nor do they travel so much as the citizens of Salem. They are an industrious, enterprising people, and have all the hospitality and frankness of the New-Englanders. They are stout, fine looking men; the ladies, particularły, are handsome, and many of them highly accomplished. Both sexes are remarkable for plainness, and have a very independent carriage.

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History. Every one knows the story of Roger Williams he was not only the founder of Providence, but of Rhode-Island. Roger Williams was a clergyman, who came from England to Massachusetts in 1631; and being charged with holding a variety of errors, was for ced to fly from the state suddenly, leaving his house,

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wife and children, in Salem, and in the midst of winter took up his abode at Seekhonk, without the limits of Massachusetts. But Seekhonk being in the bounds of Plymouth colony, Governor Winslow advised him, in a friendly manner, to go on the other side of the river, which was uncovered by any patent. Accordingly, he and four others crossed Seekhonk river, in 1636, and was hospitably received by the Indians ;* and laid the foundation of the town, which, in gratitude to his Maker, he called Providence, after purchasing the soil from the natives. Here he was soon joined by others, who, like himself, fled from persecution. Among these gentlemen were Messrs. Coddingham and Fenner. From the mildness of their government and the free toleration in respect to religious opinions, Providence soon became the asylum for persecuted sects of every description; and is, at this day, the most mild and tolerant republic in New England. It is the only state in New England whose citizens are not compelled by law to support religion. All the other states oblige every citizen to pay so much annually, to support some clergyman, leaving the choice of the sect to the citizen; but at all events, he must support some minister, (as they call him.) To return: Williams and his friends suffered greatly from cold, fatigue, and want; having no friends among the human species but the Indians, who were ill supplied themselves. They, however, enjoyed liberty of conscience, which has, from that day to this, been inviolably maintained thoughout the state. So little has the civil authority to do with religion, in Rhode-Island, that no contract is binding between a clergyman and any society. Neither are the people compelled by law to support schools, and yet the dialect is less corrupt than in any part of New England, which I have seen: I mean that of the common people; all people of education speak alike, in every state. Rhode-Island leaves the human mind perfectly unshackled, the effect of which is visible in the independent deportment of the citizens. It has

* After such a lesson as this, it becomes us truly to send missionaries among the Indians.

also been noted for its patriotism and courage, since it has been a state, and has the honour of being the birth place of the celebrated General Green.

The Hon. Judge Martin, of Providence, has been at much pains to rescue from oblivion much of the biography of Mr. Williams and his adventurous companions, which he has committed to paper, and read a great part of it to me. I saw the place where this sage built his first rude cabin. I saw the hill upon which his remains are interred; being pointed out to me by the Judge, who is an enthusiastic admirer of the singular fortitude, talents, piety, and philanthropy of the founder of Providence. He walked with me to the spring from which he used to quench his thirst; where, weary and forlorn, an outcast from a society calling themselves christian, he could, at least, drink the waters of peace. It is the choicest spring I have seen east of the Alleghany. I spent much of the short time I stopt at Providence in the company of J. M. whose pleasant and winning man. ners, but particularly those of his lady, almost persuaded me to prolong my visit. All our talk was of Roger Williams. I saw an original letter, written by R. Williams to "Neighbour Whipple," dated the 8th of July, 1669. It was written in the old English style, and evinced great boldness of genius and energy of intellect, and disclosed the sentiments upon which he and his more rigid brethren differed.

Providence is also the residence of his Excellency Governor Fenner, a descendant of the faithful Fenner, who, with his life in his hand, accompanied his friend R. Williams, and with him took refuge among savages, from the cruelty of pretended christians. G. F. lives in the edge of the town, upon the same lofty eminence with the University, commanding an extensive prospect of the town, the surrounding country, and Providence river, which spreads out to a great width before his door, its glassy bosom elevated, as it were, above the horizon, which, with the shrubbery, lawns, and flower gardens of the Governor, almost rivals the scenery of Boston. He has the handsomest flower garden I have seen in my trav els. G. F. is a middle aged man, of good size, and great