Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-05-25
EXTRACT OF LETTER FROM THE EDI-
TOR, DATED
COLUMBIA HOUSE,
philadeIphin. Mnu 81. 1850.

COLUMBIA HOUSE,
Philadelphia, May 81, 1850.
The month Of May has, thu, far, had all
the characteristics Of that most tickle Of all
mon,hs-Arril, changeable, cold and un-
pleasant. In the country this change of
weather is generally attended with no other
consequences than ennui and disagreeable'
ness, which, it is always sure to prcdnce.-
In the city it Is otherwise, where the busi-
ness operations Of various traders and shop
keepers is sometimes seriously affected, BY
bad or unreasonable weather.
Philadelphia is destined, ere long, to be
the largest city in America. II is rapidly ex-
tending its dimensions in every direcion.-
The next census will, most probably, show
that its population exceeds 400, 900. 1t has
always ranked as the greatest manufacturing
city in the Union The in,erminable steam
engine can be heard putting and laboring IN
every nook and corner in almost every di-
reciion. In the manufacture of iron, such as
heavy machinery, steam engines, locomo-
tives, &c, there seems TO be an immense
amount of business The spirit of improve
ment is abroad, and in the city proper, many
a handsome edifice has to give way, 10 make
room for new building Of a more capacious
and stylish character. Many Of the late
buildings have been, and are now, construct
ed Of granite which gives them an imposing
and massive appearance. In Chestnut street,
below third, DR.. Jayne's new building attracts
great deal Of attention, by its massive col
umns Of granite with which the whole front
is composed. The columns for the fourth
story are nearly up. The weight of these
columns will average from to 10 tons. The
cost of the building, it is said will exceed
100000. In various parts of the city stores
are run up as if by magic. One of the hand
soonest and most capacous stores in the city,
is the extensive wholesale dry goods estab-
lishment of our en,erprising friends, Eckel
RaiGuel & Co., at the corner of Third and
Branch streets. 1t is a double building five
stories high, and extends about $50 feet back:
and is filled, from the cellar 10 the attic, with
goods. Another handsome building, six
stories in height, has lately been erected at
the corner of 9th and Market, by Mr.. P. R.
McNeille, who occupies the front part as a
clothing establishment. In Chestnut street,
there are many splendid and extensive stores,
exceeding, in this respect, any thing have
ever seen in New York and Boston, except.
ing perhaps Stewards great palace in the for
mer city. The citizens of Philadelphia an
ticipate great increase of trade on the COM
pleuon of the Pennsylvania Rail Road. This
will no doubt be the case, but road to Erie
would more than double it.
The fluctuations and changes of busnes.
are sometimes curious and interesting. Eve
ry few years seems to turn up something
new Ten or fifteen years since, few would
have thought of growing rich on the ice
cream business. Yet a vast amount Of money
has been made made in that branch of bust
ness No conception can be formed of the
immense amount made and consumed in lhi:
city. One enterprising confectioner alone
Mr.. Lewis in Eleventh, below Race street
makes, on an average, abou, four hundred
quarts per day, during the summer season.
The slavery question, in Congress, seem:
TO be entirely eclipsed, at present, by The
Galphn claim, and the expedition to Cuba
The Galphin claim has turned out TO be nc
small maiier and will prove a rock, upor
which the Cabinet and the President mus
split. The Cuban expedition turns ont 10 be
f no humbuG and will soon develOpe itself.