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height; it is of a dark (but not of a black) color; the feathers are as fine as silk, differing little in texture from those worn by the ladies. This one was much injured, having had its tail pulled out. Its wings have nothing but the pinion, or wing bones, common to other fowls, covered with a sort of down. The leg bone of a full grown ostrich was standing by the other, which came up to its neck, two-thirds of its height! It was four feet in length, and as thick as a man's wrist: what then must have been the height of the ostrich! nine feet at least. There were lying by it two of the eggs; the largest was five inches in length, and four in width; they are smooth, and of a cream color. The hooping crane seems to be a candidate for size with the ostrich. It is nearly as large, similar in shape, but of a beautiful white. The oron bird, of Africa, is also very large, and exceedingly beautiful. It is of a deep shining black, with deep red cheeks, viz. turfts of feathers on each side of its head. The gaber, of Africa, is likewise large, four feet in height, it has a bill eight inches in length. But the pelican and the Patagonian penguin were to me greater curiosities. The pelican has a long bill, eight or nine inches, and from the under part hangs a pouch, extending from the tip end of the bill to the throat, the size of a beef's bladder, and looks precisely like one, being thin and transparent: It is said to carry its food in it. The Patagonian penguin is in shape like the old fashioned pudding bags, standing on its end with the pudding in it. It has neither legs or neck; its feet are stuck on one end of its misshapen body, and its head on the other. Besides these there were swans, geese, and a great variety of ducks, parrots, and a thousand others, the least remarkable of which is worthy the attention of the refined and the curious but it was the smaller birds whose plumage astonished me most. These beauteous little creatures abound in the museum, and afford the most pleasing and rational of all entertainments. Neither language nor pencil could paint that brilliancy of tint, or that delicacy of shade, which diversify their plumage. I was com pletely surfeited, the eye riots in beauty. The description of those birds in books gives you scarcely any idea

of them.

Amongst the curiosities, the Chinese and Persian shoes deserve attention. The shoe of a full grown Chinese lady, is about the size of a child's, of two years old! They have a plate of iron inside, but are richly embroi dered on the outside with gold and silver; they are of different shapes, but are all very large at the instep, owing probably to the foot being pressed close with iron.

The Persian shoes, or rather slippers, are a singular curiosity; they are made of something as hard as iron, but were so covered with gold and silver that it was impossible to tell the principal material. The slipper tapers off from the ankle to the toe, nor does it stop there; a crooked substance, of the same material, issues from the toe, and turns up to the instep, in the form of a bow. They are very heavy, and look like any thing but convenient. The Chinese hats are plaited of cane, and differ in size. One of those in the museum was two feet in the brim: those worn by the females are extremely small, and seem to be platted of fine grass-they are in shape like a tunnel. The Persian caps are made of feathers of different colours, and of the richest hue. They are made in the form of a wreath, in which is displayed great taste and elegance-these I understood were worn by men. Another great curiosity was a pair of pantaloons made of the intestines of the whale. They came from the north-west coast, where they are said to be worn by the inhabitants. And here too was a complete Spanish barge. It was remarkable for its great length in proportion to its width, something like a canoe, being very narrow men were sitting in it, in the act of rowing; though, believe me, they made but little progress. I shall notice but two more of the cabinet; one was a work-basket, the work of a female Indian, curiously plaited of fine grass, in which both beauty and skill were eminently displayed; the other was the shoe and stocking of the Irish Giant Obrian, who measured eight feet seven inches and a half in height. They were presented to the museum by Fitzgerald, and are perfectly sound and fresh; the size may easily be imagined. I was so much exhausted going through the apartments, that I was unable to measure either, but from the looks of the

stocking, his leg must have been as thick as a common woman's body, (it was of coarse silk.) It strikes me that it was a foot across the calf. The shoe was enormous, and what made it appear more so, near it lay the shoe of Simon Pap, the dwarf, who was but twenty-eight inches high. His shoe was three inches and one half in length. It is a pity they did not stuff the skin of the giant; his figure astride of the mammoth, would have capped the climax.

Of all the portraits, I was particularly struck with those of Commodore Perry, Doctor Rush, Latrobe, and Albert Gallatin. There was something peculiarly engaging in Com. Perry; his countenance was placid, steady, and thoughtful. That of Dr. Rush, was mildness itself; the face reminded me of Mary, Queen of Scots, the same benignity, blended with a different sweetness. The portrait of Latrobe, shows genius, benevolence, openness, and penetration; it has more expression than I ever witnessed. Gallatin; his dark eyes, soft, mild, and winning, his countenance diffused with that captivating modesty which ever distinguishes a great mind. How often have I hung with delight upon that overwhelming eloquence with which he lightened (without thunder) the walls of congress hall, whilst he was a member of that body; putting a host of enemies to flight. The republican party of the United States, (whether they be right or wrong,) owe much of their success to Albert Gallatin. I saw too, the misguided Meriwether Lewis, in wax-work, clothed in his Indian dress, but never having seen him, (or indeed any of those I have mentioned,) I could not judge of the likeness.

The museum was founded by Mr. Peale, in 1784; this indefatigable man has done more since that time, than one would suppose could be done by a whole nation-the collection is endless. Ores, fish, crocodiles, serpents, monsters, amphibious animals, insects, shells, marine petrifactions, and coins of the whole known world, are here exhibited daily; the sight of which is well worth ten times the money demanded. I saw in the museum a Roman coin, dated 283 years before Christ; it appeared to be of copper, and about the size of our cents; like

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wise, the under jaw of a whale, which was about seven feet wide. I had not the pleasure of seeing Mr. Peale, but was much gratified in the acquaintance of his son, and by seeing a full length portrait of the old gentleman, painted by himself-it stands in the museum. young Mr. Peale is a small man, upon whom, however, nature and art have lavished their favours; I met with him in the museum, and received from him those marks of politeness and attention, which none but the learned and the refined know how to bestow; I was charmed with his conversation, which proves him to be, not only a man of classical education, but of much taste and reflection-" For he is gentle born." After paying once, you have free liberty of the museum as often as you choose to call.

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Prison. The prison of Philadelphia is celebrated throughout the world. I had often heard of it, and was now within the reach of that gratification which interesting objects inspire. Having obtained a letter of admis sion from Mr. Bradford, one of the trustees, I waited upon the keeper, who resides in prison. The keeper, I thought, seemed little obliged to Mr. B. for giving him this trouble, and finally refused to admit me into some parts of it. The prison is 500 feet in length, and 296 in width. It consists of two vast buildings, with a large space between, which is enclosed with a high stone wall, and open at the top. At one end of this yard is that part of the prison designed for women, at the other, stands that for men. The sexes are on no account permitted to mix or visit each other. In that part appropriated to women, I found 84 females, from which to 480, is the usual number, and from four to five hundred men. The women were in a very long room, in two lines, one on each side of the room, leaving a space between; they sat on long benches close to the wall, and every one with a little wheel, (viz. a flax wheel) before her, spinning as fast as though they were spinning for a wager. One side of the room was lighted by windows, the other side was divided into lodging rooms, where they slept at night. These rooms were furnished with neat and comfortable beds; they have another large

room where they eat, besides a kitchen to cook and wash in. Several of them were employed in cooking, washing, and cleaning the prison. Several black women. were amongst them, and all well clothed, and cheerful: one of the blacks asked me for money; I inquired of her what was done with her when she did not perform her task? (they are all tasked so much per day ;) she replied, "that they put her in a dark room, where she could see no body, and fed her on bread and water; 'But,' said she, laughing, I be bound da never gets me dare again.' The whole establishment was remarkably clean. These females spin, weave, and make their own clothing: they also make coarse carpeting, which is sent to the stores for sale. The men work at their respective trades. I did not visit their prison, being refused admittance by the keeper. I saw a number of them, however, at work in the yard, from the door of the female department; they were engaged in cutting and splitting stone. The whole of the prisoners eat three times a day, as follows:-" Rye coffee and bread, for breakfast; meat and soup for dinner; mush, molasses, and water, for supper." None but criminals are confined in this prison. The prisoners are overlooked with great care, by men appointed for that purpose. I was attended by one of those men through several parts of the prison; he had the principal charge of the wothis man is one of the most amiable of his sex. He appeared to possess that soft and undisguised charity, that meek-eyed philanthropy, so requisite to one in his place he spoke to those females, not with the authority of a callous, unfeeling task-master, but with the mildness of a brother. All was peace and stillness, no strife or loud talking was heard throughout the prison.

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Hospital. Of all the benevolent institutions of Philadelphia, the hospital is the most interesting; both it and the prison are nearly in the heart of the town. There were few in it when I called; and after what has been said of the humanity and benevolence of the place, it would be needless to give a minute description of it. It is a very large building, disposed into apartments similar to that of Baltimore, but has a handsome botanical gar

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