Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-11-30
EXTRACTS FROM DICKENS NEW
WORK.
PHILADELPHIA.

Dl1lLADEILPHlA.
The Journey from New York to Philadel-
phia, is made by railroad and two ferries;
and usually occupies between five and six
hours. 1t was fine evening when we
were passengers In the train; and watching
the bright sanset from little window near
the door by which we sat, my attention
was attracted to n remarkable appearance
issuing from the windows of the gentleman's
car Immediately in front of us which sup
posed for some time was occasioned by
humber of industrious persons inside rip
ping open feather beds, and giving the feath-
ers to the wind At length it occurred to
me that they were only splitting, which was
indeed the case; though now any number of
passengers which it was possible for that
car to contain, could have maintained such
playful and incessant shower Of cxpec-
toration. anlstil at loss to understand;
notwilhstandingthe experience in all saliva
tory phenomena which | afterwards ac-
quircd.
l made acquaintance; on this journey,
with mild and modest young quaker, who
opened the discourse by informing me, in
grave whisper, that his grandfather was
the inventor Of cold draw castor oil.
mention the circumstances here, thinking it
probable that this is the first occasion on
which the valuable medicine in question
was cvsr used as n conversational aperent.
We reached the city, late that night
Looking out Of my chamber window, before
going to bed | saw on the opposite side Of
the way, handsome building of white
marble, which had mournful ghost-like
aspect dreary to behold. | attributed this
10 the sombre influence of the night, and
on rising in the morning looked out again,
expecting to see its steps and portco throng-
ed with groups ofpeoplc passing in and out
The door was still tight shut, however; the
same cold cherries air prevailed; and the
building looked as if the marble statue of
Don Guzman could alone have any bust
hess to transact within its gloomy walls.
| FASTENED to enqnre its name and purpose
and then my surprise vanished. 1t was
the tomb of many fortunes; the Great
Catacomb Of investment, the memorable
+. S. Bank.
The stoppage Of this bank, with all its
ruinous consequences, had cast (as was
told on every side) gloom on Philadelphia
uiiuci thc ucp iCSStllS eucCt vi WHICH, IL Nct
labored; It certainly did seem rather dull
and out of spirits.
1t is a handsome city, but distractingly
regular. After walking about it for an
hour or two, felt that wonld have given
the world for a crooked street. The COL
lar of my coat appeared to stifien, and the
brim of my hat to expand, beneath its
Quakcrly influence. My hair shrunk into
n slick short crop, my hands folded them
selves upon my breast Of their own calm
accord, and thoughts of taking lodgings in
Mark Lane over against the Market Place,
and of making large fortune by specula-
lions in corn, came over me involuntari-
~.
Philadelphia is most bountiluly provi-
dcd with fresh water, which is showered
md jerked about, and turned on, and turn
oil off, everywhere. The Waterworks,
which are on a height near the city, are no
less ornamental than useful, Being taste
fully laid out as a public garden, and kept
in the best and neatest order. The river
is damned at this point. and forced by IFS
own power into certain high tanks or reser-
voirs, whence the whole city to the top
stories Of the houses, is supplied at very
trihing expense.