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Page 3, speaking of Philadelphia, he says, "The city makes a poor appearance, as nothing is visible from the water but confused heaps of wooden storehouses, crowded upon each other." His travels were published in 1798; and who that has ever visited the eastern part of our city at that time, and long before, would suppose Mr. Weld had ever seen it? Did he write from mere recollection, careless whether he wrote truth or falsehood, so that he could furnish the people of the unit ed kingdom with a book, and himself with the profits; or did he knowingly write a falsehood? I will not say he did the latter, though I cannot well conceive how he could possibly commit so gross an error.

Page 12. "Amongst the uppermost circles in Philadelphia, pride, haughtiness, and ostentation are conspicuous; and it seems as if nothing could make them happier than that an order of nobility should be established, by which they might be exalted above their fellow-citizens, as much as they are in their own conceit. In the manners of the people in general there is a coldness and reserve, as if they were suspicious of some designs against them, which chills to the very heart those who come to visit them. In their private societies a tristesse is apparent, near which mirth and gaiety can never approach." Perhaps one who is not well acquainted with the manners of "the uppermost circles" in other cities beside the one in which he resides, has no right to determine on the correctness of the remarks in the first part of the foregoing passage; but I think I may safely pronounce it, if not false, something so much like it as scarcely to merit a distinction. I very much question if Mr. W. mixed much with society of any kind, particularly the higher classes, for he would have found by far too much good breeding, urbanity, and affability, and too little "pride, haughtiness, and ostentation," to justify a remark so destitute of truth and candour. With respect to the second observation, I must

observe, that I have been resident in Philadelphia too long not to know that there is as little truth in this as in the other: with a few exceptions, every foreigner may rest assured of being treated by our citizens as they are treated by him; if he is affable, he will find them so; if his conversation is free and unrestrained, he will find theirs no less so; if he laughs, they will laugh with him; and if he weeps (but Mr. W. forgot to mention this), they will weep with him; nor will they stop here, for they will wipe away his tears, and anoint his face with the oil of gladness. What he means by a tristesse I cannot tell, but I am certain it is a something not very common, for he says mirth and gaiety can never approach it. Now I have been in very many companies, where mirth and gaiety was ever a welcome and cherished guest, when his presence was not inconsistent with propriety and decorum; but this man delights in misrepresentation, when speaking of this city and its inhabitants, as will be plainly seen hereafter. Page 17. "I must here observe, that among the generality of the lower sort of people in the United States, and particularly amongst those of Philadelphia, there is a want of good manners which excites the surprise of almost every foreigner. I wish also that it may not be thought that this remark has been made merely because the same deference and the same respectful attention which we see so commonly paid, by the lower orders in Great Britain and Ireland, to those who are in a situation somewhat superior to themselves, is not also paid in America to persons in the same station it is the want of common civility I complain of, which it is always desirable to hold between man and man, let their situations in life be what they may, and which is not contrary to the dictates of nature, or to the spirit of genuine liberty, as it is observable in the behaviour of the wild Indians that wander through the forests of this vast continent, the most free and independent of all hu

man beings. In the United States, however, the lower classes of people will return rude and impertinent answers to questions couched in the most civil terms; and will insult a person that bears the appearance of a gentleman, on purpose to show how much they consider themselves on an equality with him. Civility cannot be purchased from them on any terms; they seem to think that it is incompatible with freedom, and that there is no other way of convincing a stranger that he is really in a land of liberty, but by being surly and ill-mannered in his presence.

In what light the manners of the people in Philadelphia appear to foreigners I know not; perhaps they may be surprised to find less good manners here than in Europe; a proposition, however, which I do not fully assent to. But is Mr. W. to determine in what good manners shall consist? Notwithstanding this very good-natured gentleman is so very obliging as not to expect the Same deference, &c., here, which is found in Great Britain and Ireland, he bas discovered a want of common civility! Ah, Mr. Weld, however you may attempt to qualify it, a falsehood so gross will never go down; it will still remain an abominable and nauseating falsehood, only to be relished and digested by such slaves as yourself, who, while in the land of potatoes, are humble and unassuming; but, when landed on a shore where they are unknown, they assume all that arrogance and pride they complain of; and when it is proudly and properly repelled by an independent and indignant spirit, they are only paid in their own coin. Every one who has been here knows, and, if candid, will readily admit, that even among the lowest classes a civil answer may be obtained on very easy terms-by asking a civil question; and be assured, sir, every one will attribute the bad treatment you met with, if such was the case, to its proper cause, a want of civility in yourself. The people of America are not yet reduced to the

wretched expedient of showing their freedom by their incivility; nor have they occasion. Thank heaven, they have the substance of liberty, and they care not though as impertinent a fellow as yourself should run away with the shadow; however, I would not advise you to publish your arrival in the public prints, when next you condescend to visit Philadelphia, for should you, depend on it, the contempt you merit will follow you in every walk, and cross you in every path.

Page 74. "The farmer also, who rents fifty acres of arable land in England, lives far more comfortably, in every respect, than the farmer of Pennsylvania, or in any other of the middle states, who owns 200 acres of land; his house will be better furnished, and his table more plentifully covered. That the farmers do not live better in America, I hardly know whether to ascribe to their love of making money, or to their real indifference about better fare; perhaps it may be owing, in some measure, to both; certain it is, however, that their mode of liv. ing is most wretched." As to the manner in which the farmers of England live, all the information I have collected, and I think my sources correct, gives the "lie direct" to Mr. W.'s assertions. And respecting the causes which induce the farmers of Pennsylvania to live so wretchedly, he need not be at the trouble to investigate; he need neither ascribe it to their love of making money, or to their real indifference about better fare: it is owing to neither, for it is not the truth: the farmers of Pennsylvania live as well as any people in the world, if living well consists in having good houses to live in, and tables well loaded with the wholesomest productions of their native soil. If they have not many luxuries, it is not because they cannot have them, but because they do not want them; and surely the farmers of England cannot boast of enjoying a luxurious life, if authors of reputation may be relied on; and I think almost any one

is entitled to more credit than one who deals so largely in falsehood and misrepresentation.

Page 65. After complaining of the taverns, the provisions, and the incivility of the hostlers, "who," he says, "are so sullen and disobliging, that you feel inclined to do every thing yourself rather than be indebted to them for their assistance," he adds, "nor will money make them alter their conduct; civility, as I have before said, is not to be purchased in America; nevertheless, the people will pocket your money with the utmost readiness, though without thanking you for it. Of all beings on the earth, Americans are the most interested and covetous."

The first part of this passage contains merely a repetition of what he has before asserted; it is therefore unnecessary to notice it: but who but Mr. W. would have hazarded the last assertion? This is an infamous attempt to degrade the people of these states to the same place with the most contemptible of mankindmisers: but deeds are better than words to prove the falsity of the charge. I refer to our public charities, to the assistance so generally and mutually afforded in times of public as well as private calamity. With this trait of their character he could not be unacquainted, and yet he says, "Of all beings on the earth, Americans are the most interested and covetous."

Page 23. After speaking of the bold and extensive prospects about Chesapeake bay and the Susquehannah, he says, "The generality of Americans stare with astonishment at a person who can feel any delight at passing through such a country as this." The people of America are not more insensible to the beauties of nature, in their rudest and most uncultivated forms, than the people of other countries; but to leave fancy and imagination out of the question, the friend of his country must be excused if he should admire waving fields of ripening grain, and rich meadows furnishing subsist ence to large droves of sturdy cat

tle, to lofty mountains, falling_cascades, rocky promontories, and extensive forests. I have selected but a small portion of the falsehoods of this writer; but, judging from those errors which I am able to detect with my slender means of information, I have no doubt but he has been guilty of many more which have escaped my notice.

My memory furnishes me with a few more of his errors, proceeding from misinformation, or a less excusable cause. Speaking of this city, he says, "In the summer season, poultry is not killed till a few hours before it is intended to be eaten." He ought to have known, that most of the poultry is killed, not because it is already engaged by persons who incline to use it, but is sold publicly in the market, where it frequently hangs more than a few hours exposed for sale. "Milk," he says, ❝ will not, in the same season, keep more than two hours." There are few indeed who are not sensible of the erroneous nature of this remark. "During the heat of the day," says he, "the houses are in general shut up, and no more light is admitted than is absolutely necessary: nobody stirs out but those who must, and of these, such whose business does not make it inconvenient, carry umbrellas. In the evening, however, the people crowd about their doors, take their walk, and pay visits, till about ten o'clock; at eleven every one (I suppose he means most of them) are at home, and no city in the world is quieter at that hour."

The greater part of these remarks are true; but more people expose themselves to the summer's heat, without cause, than he is aware of, particularly on Sundays and holidays, as every one who has resided in Philadelphia must have observed. Any one who has never been here, when reading the above passage, would form an opinion very different from the truth; he would be apt to conclude that in the day time, in summer, our streets were very nearly empty; yet such is far from being the case. But Mr. Weld did

not mention, that of the people of this city, a very large portion are of that description who always have business out of doors, at all seasons. Yet I do not blame him much for this omission, for other travellers are equally to blame in making general observations. A traveller, speaking of Palermo, says, "During the prevalence of the siroc wind, nobody stirs out but those who are compelled to do it." Yet, as he has not told us how great a portion of the population are compelled, we may make a gross mistake in picturing to our minds an idea of the appearance of that city, at the above-mentioned season.

VALVERDI.

Philadelphia, Dec. 5, 1805.

For the Literary Magazine.

SWEDES IN PENNSYLVANIA.

By Mr. Collin.

THE first colony from Sweden came in 1634, and was increased at several times till 1654. It was next year conquered by the Dutch, who had a prior and far stronger establishment on North river, but fell, with this, under the British dominion in 1664. Sweden could not retake the country from Holland, because it was at war with several great powers, and afterwards ceded its claim to England, by a treaty, in which property, civil rights, and free exercise of religion were secured to the people.

The Swedish government had no farther expectation of political or commercial benefits from them, but yet continued a very generous care for their spiritual welfare, by a regular succession of missionaries, detraying the whole expence of their voyages, furnishing a part of their support, and pensioning them when they returned, until they got suitable preferments. As their number was generally three or four, and the greater part of them went home within ten years, the total expence

has amounted to ten thousand pounds sterling. The missionaries had, as all the Swedish clergy have, a learned education. By their zealous exertions, six churches have been built, and landed estates acquired, whose increasing revenues became the principal funds for supporting divine worship. They spared no pains for preserving the language, but it declined from the following causes. The original population was but small, and had no accession from Sweden after the separation. An account of all the families, taken în 1793, makes the number of them about 200, and the whole number of men, women, and children, about 1000. The choice of land, and of situations for hunting, fowling, fishing, and water-carriage, had occasioned wide scattering from the first main settlement about Christine creek, up and down Delaware on both sides, and on the streams that flow into it, at that early period: a few families had even gone to Elk river, and Egg harbour. In the course of time, many families joined in forming distant settlements, as about Malatton, now Pottsgrove, and on Maurice's river, in New Jersey. The missionaries could not often visit these remote parts, and a great portion of the people that lived above ten miles from the churches, could not frequently attend the public worship.

Schools were practicable only in the closer neighbourhoods. This dispersion opened a speedy admission of other people, and in proportion to their increasing number, frequent intermarriages. The greater part of the children from these learnt nothing, or very little, of the language. Not a few of the Swedes were grossly negligent of their mother tongue, especially those parents who spoke it well, and yet did not instruct their children in it. The continual operation of these causes, compelled the missionaries, sixty years ago, to preach occasionally in English; and within the last thirty years in some places generally, in others altogether. At present very

few natives of the Swedish race understand the language. The mission has also ceased in the states of Delaware and New Jersey.

The facility of the Swedes for learning and speaking the English language contributed to the loss of their own; yet many of other nations, that lived amongst them, learnt it well, especially many Dutch families, that became so incorporated with the Swedish congregations, that the national distinction was entirely effaced, and their descendants in general did not know their origin. Some of these, with others of German, English, Welch, Scots, Irish, &c. pedigree, nay, even some negroes, have spoken Swedish, though the majority of pure Swedish parentage have totally lost it.

The Swedish church in Southwark, Philadelphia, was consecrated the 2d of July, 1702, and styled Gloria Dei. Divine worship is there performed, once every month, in the Swedish language. The majority of attendants are natives of Sweden, some of them settled here, and others temporary residents, and the greater part of both are seamen. Natives of Denmark and Norway, of both descriptions, also frequent it, as they receive almost equal benefit from the service by the similarity of language. Since the independence of the United States, their commercial intercourse with these nations is pretty considerable. In some years four Swedish vessels, and as many Danish, have come to Philadelphia; and their number will probably increase.

For the Literary Magazine. ARKWRIGHT'S COTTON SPINNING.

THE preparation of vegetable and animal fibres to form them into garments by weaving is very well known. The fibres themselves must first be properly disposed by combing or carding, after which treat

VOL. V. NO. XXVIII.

ment they are in a state ready to be spun. The card is a kind of brush made with wires instead of hair, the wire not being perpendicular to the plane, but all inclined one way in a certain angle. From this description, such as are totally unacquainted with the subject may conceive that cotton wool, being stuck upon one of those cards or brushes, may be scraped with another card in that direction, that the inclination of the wires may tend to throw the whole inwards rather than suffer it to come out. The consequence of the repeated strokes of the empty card against the full one must be a distribution of the whole more evenly on the surface, and, if one card be then drawn in the opposite direction across the other, it will, by virtue of the inclination of its wires, take the whole of the wool out of that card whose inclination is the contrary way. Without entering more fully upon the description of a process so common, we may make a few similar observations with regard to spinning. This is of two kinds; in the one the carded wool is suddenly drawn out during the rapid rotation of a spindle, and forms a loose yarn. In the other process the material is spun by a well known small engine or wheel, which requires the spinner to draw the material out between the finger and thumb of each hand. If we suppose the machine itself to be left at liberty, and turned without the assistance of the spinner, the twisted thread, being drawn inwards by the bobbin, would naturally gather more of the material, and form an irregular thread thicker and thicker, till at length the difficulty of drawing out so large a portion of material as had acquired the twist would become greater than that of snapping the smaller part of the thread, which would accordingly break. It is the business of the spinner to prevent this by drawing out the material with one hand, if the operator be skilful, but if not, with two, that is to say, by holding the material be

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