Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-03-31
COM M UN I1A TIoMs.
For the Advertiser.
NOTES BFaHHE WAY.
s,..NEw YoRK,

leaving. Securing comfortable seat, conve.
nicnt to stove and windoysI eyed the vanishing
city with curiosity and iHsFest, at the same time
wondering why such want of the spirit of i'm.
provement and city PRIDE fingered about the
place.
From Washington tofRAtimore nothing Of in.
tercst presented itself Bythe way. Within the
cars there was comfort saiet and stale monot-
ony. sought entertainment in one of Arthurs
popular works "ThssII17itnercd Hcart'-and
found in it as true picture Of domestic life, its
pleasant and unpleasant FEATURES, as mortal pen
can paint All the unmarried, aoho intend to
marry, should read it, ifsshey would see a true
, type of what awaits them, and learn to make
wcdlock "dvide life,s lila and double its Gelici.
ties
Arrived at Baltimore, IEas sorry to find ii too
dark even to gain a passing view, save that pre-
scented by gaslight; so I::aaas content (hopins a
future time to take up there, to let itpass u"no'
ted pro tcmpore. Froln5shere to Philadelphia
nothing pleasant transpiEsd, save at Havre de
Grace. where, while crossing the susqnehanna
we found some fine oystef:and got a sip at the
"cup that chccreth Notwithstanding" These
having strengthened thc:ihner man, took cour
age, and rent to s7ccp-foESyou know it requires
courage and WEAKNESS combined for one to sleep
in railroad coach oscillating SUMMERS
were permanently interrupted by the yell of the
brakeman, "Philadelphiasn with his head thrust
in at the door. This so4ded like good news
from far country" for tHs was my first point
OF tarrying. At the Girard House I found all
that is necessary to recupsratc fully natures ex
haustcd powers, foundtlis city full Of inter
ost too much 50 topass tffnnoticcd, yet toOmuch
to attempt to tell your readers the hall. Twill
Gull from my notes such portions as think will
prove Of interest, and should you think so, or
otherwise, they are yours.
will not say more of its history than is suli-
cient to convey an idea ofits wonderful growth
and prosperity. 0nlyz9hundred and seventy
eight years ago it was al untouched forest, over
which roamed savage aud beast as lis only ten.
ants. In the year 1861 the: first settlers arrived
from London, in the sAipsGtsarah" and "John,
under Captain Smith. Iise year following, vii.
amsPem'Fi proprietor, arrived,
landing at "Blue Anchor; possessing grant OF
the entire State Of Pennsylvania. Here is 10 be
dated the commencement of its rise and pro-
gpess. Steadily have these continual. till now
the city corporation embraces an area Of 10
square miles, corcrcd with $4,000 dwelling
houses, which are ,cnantcd by Gj9 600 nhab
ants, as gathered lrom the latest statistic re-
cords of the city. 1t is proper to add that thcac
county, they having been consolidated in lSj!.
Independence Hall WIS the first place risitcd.-
This is in the east room Of the old State House
Everybody knows that here is the place: above
all others, from its associations with ihe past,
thai interests the American. Our country has
many places rendered sacrc,l by such assoca
tous, bat this, to me- possesses them in IN cm
uent degree. While standing in this 'rrc Of
oIdcn times, strange sensations Possessed me-
Every thing in The f9Gnl contributed to hcishtsn
these iec!!iiigs, | cuud see band Of patriotic
men, pomicrin. with serious counlcmances on
the magnitude Of the step prop3sed, while fear
;'u ap,r,hcnsions wavered the determination of
Sumc, lest no good should be the result. y
dr;ltI.likc silence rcigns. But bark 1t is sud
denly brvken! Sec that aged sire ;trise.* lie
stan'!s slscchrsS, and "casts Il look oi inexprts-
sij.c interest aud unconquerabr determination
Oh lis irow-pu;riols. He breaks SILENCE, and
thus addresses them: "Therc is II tile in the al:
E,irs 81 l.e.. IL niche Of time; we perceive ii
now before U.s. That noble instrument upon
Your table shuuld be subscribed this very mora
ing by every member i'll the room. lie who will
not respond to its call is unworthy the name oi
freeman Although these hairs must descend
into tho tomb, would rather. infinitely rather.
they should descend ily the hand of the public
cXcrujonur, than DESERT at this crisis, the sacred
carlsr Of my country" This scintillason OF pn-
trio,ism ignites the smoking mass, und forth.
with tue noble deed is DONE We SEE these
buld men peril all in the sacred cause Of lib.
erly." John Hancock takes the pen, aud delib.
eralry traces his name i'll large bold hand,
then rises, saying There John Ball can read
my name wilhuAt spectacles, and may now dou.
bic his reward ior my head. That is my def
ance !-l,ut did not intend to dwell so long
upun what is SO familiar TO all. Suffice it to say
that this building ii preserved unaltcred: nmem-
orr Of that event, save some alterations in the
upper rooms, just as it was then. No stranger
will fail to find it Il place Of interest who is ac
qu;.inted with its history.
| found the Custom House magnificent mar
bic structure, with two beautiful ,ton!tl Zach Or
namenteA With e;slt iia.ed columns Of the Doric
order, y feet high, feet inches in diameter
supporting heavy entablaturc of the same Or
der in imitation Of the celebrated Parthenon at
Athens 1t was built at an expense of $780,
0OO and was formerly the United States Bank.
Seeing bank buildings pretty thick, while in
search Of other places, | had curiosity enough
to ascertain how many there were, and the
amount of capital. found as many as seven
teen in the city, with capital Of Sl4 4."SST,OOO "SS
Besides these thero are Numerous savings banks.
One of the seventeen, the Bank of North Amer.
lea, is the first bauk ever established in the Uni
ted States. TWAS done by Congress in ISL.
Having noticed the deposltories of weekly
! warsh,n tl occurred to me- :: WHY not not;co