gation, there being a succession of rapids immediately above the town. A singular kind of bridge of five arches, and 200 feet span, is thrown across the stream; these arches are roofed in, and from them is suspended a flat bridge, whose principal beams rest upon the piers of the other bridge. The carriages and passengers cross the river on the lower one; but the upper arches give the appearance of there being one bridge built upon another. The town, at the commencement of the Revolutionary war, was in the possession of a party of Hessians and English, who were surprised, and 1000 prisoners captured by Washington, on the 26th December, 1776. He crossed the Delaware on Christmas night, when the severity of the weather had subjected his army to almost incredible sufferings. It was the first signal victory gained by the Revolutionists, and, occurring when many considered themselves engaged in a hopeless contest, gave them a confidence which ensured ultimate success, and was soon followed by the partial surprise of an English division at Princeton, ten miles farther. The main road crosses the field of action, on the high grounds at Stony Brook. Upon our arrival at Trenton, nine coaches were drawn up at the pier to receive the passengers from the steamer, and set off in their regular order (I had the misfortune to be in No. 6), and, keeping within a few yards of each other over a sandy road, such immense clouds of dust enveloped us, that it was only at intervals I gained a glimpse of the country through which we travelled. The College at Princeton, founded in 1738, is rather a fine old building, and we enjoyed an extensive view over the long flat which extends towards the ocean, during the few minutes we remained to change horses. This part of the country, and the state of New Jersey gener

ally, is celebrated for its cider, and very extensive peach orchards, farmers having accumulated large fortunes by the growth of them. We passed many upon the side of the road nearly twenty acres in extent, and every tree loaded with fruit. The soil also, being light and sandy, is admirably adapted for the growth of apples and flax; but the cultivation of flax has much decreased of late years, there being now not an eighth of the quantity grown which was some few years since exported from New York, so entirely has its use been superseded by cotton. The country also bears the appearance of being longer settled and more highly cultivated than more to the south. Twenty-six miles from Trenton we arrived at New Brunswick, a town consisting (with probably two or three exceptions) of wooden houses; and we hailed with joy the sight of the smoke of the steamer, which lay in the Raritan River awaiting our arrival. Half suffocated with dust, and parched with thirst, we jumped on board, every one scrambling for a whisk brush, a glass of brandy and water, or a wash-hand basin.

We here added greatly to our numbers, by the accession of 200 Irish labourers from a railway in the vicinity, who were all proceeding to celebrate the Declaration of Independence, and in less than an hour scarcely one of them could boast of retaining his sober senses; when the deck presented a scene which would have done credit to Donnybrook Fair. One poor fellow slipped overboard as we were putting off from the quay at New Brunswick, and lost his passage; for, the steamer not stopping its engines, he was obliged to struggle to the shore in the best manner he could amongst the cheers of his countryMan (with an exception or two, in such people as Leander and Lord Byron,) is always an awkward kind of

men.

animal when in the water, but I thought this one, with a large hat over his eyes, and bundle under his arm, of which he in vain attempted to retain possession, and but an ordinary swimmer, a most ludicrous and singular object.

For several miles after leaving New Brunswick, we proceeded up the Raritan, through some extensive salt marshes, where numerous people were busily employed in mowing. The river took most extraordinary curves through it, and, being exceedingly narrow, the vessels we were meeting appeared as if moving upon the dry ground, and those which were by the course of the stream three or four miles astern as if approaching from an opposite direction, only a few hundred yards distant. Perth AmI boy, thirteen miles farther, is a bathing-place of some note for the New York fashionables; and sometimes designated as their Brighton. It possesses an extensive and safe harbour, being situated at some distance from the open sea, on a bay of the Atlantic, formed by Staten Island (fifteen miles long and eight wide) on the one side, and by the Continent on the other.

The opening view of the Bay of New York, with its numerous vessels, batteries, and spires, is most magnificent. There is no rich back-ground, or lofty hills, or any single object which of itself is striking. It is the tout ensemble which is so pleasing. We saw it to the greatest advantage, within an hour of a mild and glorious sunset, when the placid surface of the bay was covered with almost innumerable sails, and the several islands, with their clean snow-white forts and batteries, were reflected upon its bosom as upon a mirror, and land and sea alike were tinged with a light and mellow haze. Numerous broad estuaries and rivers branch off from the bay, intersecting the country in every direction, which is sufficiently free from forest, and its

graceful undulations are richly diversified with beautiful villages and extensive farms. The spot whence we caught the first sight of the city was opposite to the Merchants' Marine Asylum, on the island-a building erected, as its name denotes, for the reception of the worn-out sailors of the merchant service; the superfluous funds, which are extensive, are most laudably appropriated for the provision of the widows of captains who have been subscribers to the institution. The site seems admirably well calculated to soften down the rigours of declining old age; as the veterans may enjoy a most delightful prospect of the city, and its forests of masts, with every inward and outward bound vessel; as also the views of Elizabeths-town and Newark, at the upper end of the Sound. Within twelve hours from our leaving Philadelphia, we landed at New York, a distance of ninety-four miles; and, after undergoing as much annoyance from the officious attentions of hackney-coachmen and porters as one would in the streets of London, I at last arrived in safety at the City Hotel, in Broadway.

Dogberry-First who think you the most desartless man to be constable? 1st Watch-Hugh Oatcake, Sir, or George Seacoal; for they can read and write.

SHAKSPEARE.

THE morning of the 4th of July was ushered in with none of those noisy symptoms which usually proclaim the celebration of some great national festival, processions and