Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-03-10

and the ladies returned to the parlor. Mrs.
Ellsworth took her knitting, Lydia resumed
her sewing, and Clementine seated herself at
the window, that she might see what was
passing in the street. She had very erro-
,neous idea that in presence of quakers all
conversation on gay subjects was interdicted,
and she was much surprised when Mrs. Ems
worth and Lydia, with the kind and conside-
rate feeling that distinguishes their sect. en-
couraged her to converse on topics, that, be-
ing familiar to her, they supposed would give
her the most pleasure to talk Of. In short
time Clementine became herself perfectly at
ease with both mother and daughter, and
found herselfrelating all the particulars of
juvenile ball at which she had made one Of
the company, shortly before she left Balti-
more, and describing new play she had seen
there the preceding autumn; nor did sim
gle disappearing remark from either of her
auditors remind her that such amusements
we're not sanctioned by the society Of Friends.
At tea, which took place at very early
hour, and which was made by Mrs. Ems
worth herself, "a bright tea kettle boiling all
the time on chatting dish beside her,) the
table was covered with clean cloth beauti-
fully white and fine, and set out with several
different relishes, two large plates of excel
lent buckwheat cakes, and basket. of buns
made by Lydia. Clementine saw that she
should live well during her visit, prospect
by no means displeasing to girl of fifteen.
After tea, Mr.. Ellsworth, drawing out one
of the little mahogany brackets from the side
of the fireplace, set candle and shutters up
on 1t, and read aloud to the family (who were
at work round large stand) very amusing
tour in Europe, recently publised.
Next morning, the weather being remark
ably fine and mild, Mrs. Ellsworth and Lyd-
ia went with Clementine to see Vests cele-
brated picture of Christ healing the sick, in
the house built by the citizens Of Philadel-
pha for its reception. Ccmen.ine at first
thought it very strange to visit public places
unaccompanied by gentleman. She was
not then aware that quaker bonnet is con-
sidered sufficient evidence Of respectable
ty, and sufficient safeguard against imper-
thence; and that escorted by quaker fe-
male any lady might travel unmolested from
one end of the Union TO the other.
At the first glance of Vests picture, Cle-
mentine did not think she should like it, but
her companions explained it so well, and
pointed GU, its beauties with so much natural
taste and feeling that though they stayed near
two hours, she was sorry to leave il. They
afterwards went through the hospital, which
Clementne thought the most perfectly neat
place sheshad ever seen, and she particular
ly admired the manner in which the floors
were sanded in borders and flowers. She
could not, however, suppress smile at the
statue of William Penn in the hospital gar
den, and it is certain that the quaker habit
appears to no advantage in bronze or marble
Thou art amused said Mrs. Ellsworth
to her. as they came away, at the quaint
and formal appearance of the founder Of
Philadelphia, and believe tina, Statue 10
look we'll should always be enveloped in a
mantle or some sort of loose drapery tina,
will hang in gne folds; for instance, like the
marble efigy of Benjamin franklin, over
the door of the City Library, that l pointed
out 10 thee as we passed. And the habit Of
Friends, as worn in the time of Charles the
Second, was perhaps still less becoming than
it is now. Still, would not wish that this
statue were otherwise, for it has the merit Of
truth, and gives US an idea Of William Penn
as he really looked. 1t is not great many
years since few persons were still alive
who had actually seen him."
Seen William Penn!' exclaimed Gle.
mentine, is it possible Z
'Yes,' replied Mrs. Ellsworth, and
myself have often seen an old woman named
Barbara Niebuhr, who recollected the frs
landing of William Penn, at which time, a.
she said, she was sixteen years old. She
had been brought to America by her parents
who were Germans, and had accompanied
some Swedes that formed settlement on
the western side of the Delaware, a few
miles below what is now Philadelphia. This
woman, as is often the case, had perfect
recollection of the most striking events OF hel
early life, while her memory could not retain
the occurrences of later times. For many
years she sold cakes and molasses candy al
a stall in Chestnut street, near the steps Of
the Bank of North America, and have of.
ten in my childhood laid out cent with her
Afterwards she sat in market with herbs, and
continued in that occupation the remainder
of her life. When a century old, she had, as
thou mayest suppose, the appearance Of OK
IRENE age.~ She was bent nearly double $
her teeth had long since been entirely gone,
and her hair was white as snow. Afterwards
her hair all came out, and grew again, per-
fectly black, and resembling that of young
person. saw her frequently after the Sec
ond growth of her hair. Though poor in ap-
pearance, she was said to have amassed some
money. She lived in very old ruinous house
in one of the alleys, and finally died in con.
sequence of very serious hurt she received
from the stairs falling with her. DR.. Priest
ley visited her when he was first in Phila-
delphia. and published an account Of her in
one of the ne Hspapers. He heard from her
lips description OF the arrival Of William
Penn and his friends, and Of the wilderness
then inhabited only by Indians and wild ami
mails, and which is now an elegant and pop
ulous city,
Clementine said she could,scarcely realise
the fact of the square in which they were
now walking having been savage forest in
the memory Of any person but recently Dead
and that chestnut, walnut, spruce, and pine