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1 shape high in proportion to its relative size. It has a splenounded did 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 lebridge gislature 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

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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, how. ever, 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 flutter. ing 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 cupola, 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.

Fanucil 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. Fanucil 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 yes-
terday. It is neat, but plain, and without galleries: gen-
tle 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-tran-
scendent men, well do you merit the plaudits of admir-
ing 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 com-
panies; each company is designated by different names,
and different uniforms. The arms, &c. of every compa.
ny, are deposited in a separate room; these are dispos
ed in the neatest and most complete manner of any com-
panies to be found. Each man has his gun, a cartridge-
box, 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 un-
der them; they have nothing to do, but fill their knap-
sacks 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 exe cuted. 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!

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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 cu pola, and is the most spacious building in the city. It differs little from the Philadelphia hospital in the neat ness 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, nei ther 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. grand 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 chaplaius of the legislature, a board of visitors semi-annually.

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The institution has not as yet been able to extend relief to paupers; each boarder pays at least three dollars per week, every thing included.* My limited means of information has not enabled me to say what compensation (or whether any) is bestowed upon the members of the institution, except the superintendents, who receive a yearly salary.

Perhaps there is not an instance upon record, which affords the same evidence of liberality and public spirit, evinced by every class of citizens, in promoting this grand object. One thousand and forty-seven individuals subscribed of these, three gentlemen in Boston subscribed five thousand dollars cach! two hundred and forty-five gentlemen subscribed one hundred dollars each! and above that sum, one hundred dollars, which constitutes them members of the corporation for life. The "Massachusetts humane society" subscribed five thousand dollars. They have received in legacies sixty' thousand dollars. The state granted them the "old province house," yielding a yearly income of $2000. esident, These donations may give some idea of the wealth and allot, to benevolence of the citizens of Boston. This exceeds ballot,) New-York. The buildings of the general hospital, and: called lands attached to it, cost $184,173 45 cts. Annual aveacting rage expense of the hospital, $1,836; do. asylum, $1,nd mat. 217 36 cts. This extends to the year 1822: I found no ospital, later report on record. Three capital surgical operations have been performed in the hospital, since its comdoingsencement; viz. one of lithotomy, one of popliteal aneues meetrism, and one case of phymosis, all of which succeeded.

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