Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-12-16
MAHIN & CL LEMENS.
ORIGINAL.
Correspondence.


There is livery little news Of consequence
stirring just now. The steamer, due sew
eral days age, has not yet arrived, and fear
are entertained that something has befalle
her. Mitchell, the Irish patriot, is the lior
in New York at present. suppose he viii
be here soon.
Philadelphia is one of the healthiest pla
ces in the Union. The air is pure and fresl
almost like the country. The deaths fo
the week are LAT.
1t was about 1852 that this city was lait
out. The first settlers came over the yeal
previously, in the " Sarah and John," Capt
Smith. The city now extends from South.
wark to Richmond about five miles and
from the Delaware to the Schuylkill-some-
thing over two miles. The streets are wide
and straight, and cross each other at right
angles, running north and south and east
and west. PENIS original design was to
leave Front street free, and allow no build
ings to be erected upon it. This would
have afforded q beautiful promenade, as
well as a fine view of the Delware.. But
this plan was not carried out. What is now
the crooked Dock street was once beauti-
ful brook, running through the heart of the
city. In old times vessels came up this
creek as high as third street.
The old State House in Chestnut street, is
an object of great interest to the stranger;
and though it has often been repaired, the
old model and appearance are still pre-
served. 1t is substantial brick edifce, and
its original cost was $500 (s2S, ,OO0). In
the east room of the first story the mighty
Declaration of independence was passed by
Congress, July 4th. l776.
When a stanger enters this room for the
first time, an unaocountable feeling of awe
and reverence comes over him, an every
memento of the past his eye rests upon
whispers that be is treading upon sacred
ground. Yes, everything in that old hall
reminds him that he stands where mighty
men have stood; he gazes around him, al
most expecting to see Franklin or an Ad-
ANS rise before him. In this room is to be
seen the old "Independence Bell" which
called the people together to hear the Decla-
ration read, aud also n rude bench, on
which Washington, Franklin and Bishop
White once sat.
1t is hard to get tired of Philadelphia, for
amussnents are not scarce. We have what
is called q " free and casY," at the saloons
on Saturday nights. At /. free-and- easy, a
chairman is appointed, Who calls on any
of the assembled COMPANY for song or
recitation, and as there are plenty Of sing
ers and spoutcrs, one may laugh himself to
fits at a very small expense.
Ole Bull, Julien, and Sontag have -four
ished and gone. and left the two fat women,
one weighing 164, nnd the other 169 pounds,
to astonish the natives" stepped in to
see one of these the other evening, and was
disappointed. Shells pretty extensive
piece of meat, but not much to brag about;
however, suppose che would bring fair
price in the Cannibal Islands. She is a
married woman II ! were her husband,
think could yield with becoming forttude
to the dispensations of Providence, il He,
in his infinite goodness, should see fs to
take her away! With this human being of
the elephant species, there is also '.Swiss
Warbler bah earnestly hope he may
live to see his native land for the first time.
W.