The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1867-01-29

the left. find ourselves in the only room which
visitors care to see. A glance shows that it is
National gallery. The entire walls are COW
cred with portraits of celebrated persons, prin-
cipally men of the Revolution, with the wives
Of some of them. But the eve at once falls
upon a large, cracked bell, surmounted hv an
American eagle, and supported by an appro-
pirate pedestal of six feet height, which is sur
rounded bv an iron railing. The scenes con-
nected with the first reading of tire Declaration
of Independence, and the part performed by
this old bell, are recalled, and we fam would
lnger, thinking of those days OF both Joy and
sorrow, but our attention is attracted to a full
statue of " Washington, directly opposite the door
where we entered. The Father of Our Country
stands before u.s. So modest, vet so noble :!
So mild and friendly, yet we have read of him
facing the enemy'S fire, alone thus inducing
his retreating troops TO rally and conquer. But
time will not allow Us to continue these reflect
ious here. The impression rs too distinct TO be
forgotten, and viii furnish food tor leisure
thought. On, and about the pedestal are me-
mentoes of the late war few bomb-shells,
cannon-balls pieces of remarkable ships, build
ings, trees, DC. Prominent in view, are lfe-sze,
full length portraits of William Penn, and La
favette One smaller, full-length, steel engray-
ing of Washington deserves notice. Approach
ing it, we read that it is woven in silk a
closer examination does not reveal the fact vet
it is indeed product of the loom. t was ex-
ecuted in France, and presented by the manu-
facturcrs, who at the same time sent one 10
New York, and one to Boston. just think of
it. The loom rivaling the pencil | leave you
to imagine how it was done. We will now
obtain tickets, free Of charge from the Pres-
dents desk, and ascend to the steeple. From
this lofty position we can see nearly the whole
city. On the east is the Delaware, upon which
may be seen yariops sailing craft, while on the
opposite shore is Camden, n. J. Far to the
northwest is Girard College. II is upon ele-
waited ground. and as the view from its roof is
far superior to this. We will go there, pausing
only TO notice that the bell--whOse mouth Is
five feet in diametcr--is secured i'll a fixed po-
sitiOn, and is rung by a peculiar arrangement
connected with the tongue; Will outside is a
large hammer for tire-alarms, and opposite one
connected with the clock. The faces Of the
clock are translucent, and at night are illumi-
mated.
Returning diagonally across the regular
squares to the northwest, is a street called
Ridge Avenue, Iteommences at 9th aad Vine,
-pease find the place. from this point we
take the street cars, or rather they take US, dl-
rcctly to the southeast corner of the high stone
wall which surrounds the College grounds
IdSSin9 10 I!lC ehjTdlCe we register our names,
and are admitted, Now, for the first time, we
become conscious Of the great magnitude of the
building. 1t IS composed Of marble and stone
of similar appearance, is entirely surrounded
by steps and broad verdndah, over the latter
Of which the roof extends, at the height of forty
or fifty feet, and Is supported by immense
fiuted columns. / think the bases of these are
eight feet in diameter-large ornamental capi-
tals-the shafts composed OF blocks of from two
to four feet perpendicular length. The feeling
excited in the mind of the beholder who Is nm
accustomed to greater things, are those OF awe,
and proud satisfaction that man can accomplish
so much. As our ticket admits lis only to the
unoccupied portions, We must content ourselves
with looking in at the windows-duTing holt
days-whcre we see the furniture common to
the school room noting some valuable appa-
ratus in the laboratory. But we will ascend to
the top Of the building. On emerging, through
a small oriice left for the purpose our first eX-
presslons are OF surprise at the extent of the
root. Three or four good sized houses might
stand on either side The inclination is SO
slight as to cause no Inconvenience, being only
sufficient to insure the descent of the water
over the great white slabs, which are laid nearly
like shingles. But we quickly glance at the
sccrFe now open to our gaze South of US is the
pricipal part of the city a great, dark-loobiag
mikes. Numerous spires. reaching far sky ward,
may be seen in every part This great dome,
apparently so near, vet mile distant, is that Of
the Catholic Cathedral. Here and there Is
column of smoke or steam, suggestive of the
industry of the inhabitants. Beyond, is seen
the broad, sIy cr line Of the Delaware, extending
from the east far to the south The Schnvlkill
may also be seen passing through the city a
short distance west, and uniting with the Della
ware far below. Thus we see the whole city,
half enclosed by rivers. Looking FORTH we
see a broad stretch of most beautiful rolling
land. thicllIv dotted with houses, and as thickly
interspersed with green fields, and pleasant
groves. Far beyond what has been mentioned,
meeting the sky in the hazy distance and form
ing, as it were, frame for our picture, is what
appears to be 4 line of low, blue hills, uubfoken
throughout the entire circle. | suppose this is
really but the general face of the country, toe
far distant to be distinc tly seen. The whole
scene is calculated to impress us very strongly
with the idea that we have seen considerable of
the world at once,
A few squares south is theSt tate Pententiarv v
We viii visit the buildings, although we will
not be allowed to see the prisoners. A large
square is enclosed by a wall several feet in
thickness, and fifteen to twenty in height. In
the centre is an OCtagOnal edIfice, sides about
eight feet, from seven of which radate long
buildings, while opposite the eighth is the en-
trance. These buildings do not extend quite to
tho octagon, as they are too wide, but aie con-
nected by narrow halls which extend through
out their entire length, and upon both sides of
which are the cel's-little, narrow rooms, six or
eight feet by fourteen The second f4oors are
arranged in a similar manner and are occupied
by females. Each building has its own trade,
so that in ore are shoemakers, in another
weavers, DC. Convicts, upon their arrival, are
allowed to choose their employment Looms
carpenters or cabinet makers tools are placed
in the cells, and occupy a very large portion of
the spare room. Each prisoner has his regular
daily task to perform, the amount being merely
sufficient to pay for board and clothes. Many
of them do over-work, and are paid for it. Even
a feIon is not deprived Of the privilege of earn
inc mnnev thnnrh many are meither sEilLful