The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1873-11-27
Quuaker CITY Correspondence
PHIL.n Nov. 24th. I873.

1t would be hardly falr TO drop TINS
subject of ssFairInouhs, without re-
ferrihg to two or fhree more of its at
fractions. The most important of
these is the mansion in which Robert
Morris had his home durfngthe rev.
olutionary struggle. It is situated on
the summit of g Lemon hill /" half
mile from the eastern entrance. Here
the great ffnancier broodea over the
poverty of his country, and devised
means for her redemption. Here he
received his illnstrious guests, Han
cock, Franklin, Adams and Washing
ton; and from here he was led away
to prison, the victim OF the unjust
laws by which men were locked up
lest they should earn the means to
discharge their debts But the builds
ing is now used for a restaurant,
where Indifferent refreshments are
dispensed at correspondingly high
prices peeuliarity that is quite gem
eral hereabonts.
Crossing the river and continuing
on westward, we come to the " Bel
mont mansion,D the home of Richard
Peters, the poet, who was also the
first Secretary of the board of war.
Here he lived and was visited by
nearly all the great men of the day,
OF whom Lafay cite has left memento
in the shape of Butternut tree plant
ed by himself in 1924. just below, on
the river bank, is srTom Moore's' cot
tageg But, alas, there seems to be
weakness for restaurants on this, as
well as the other side Of the river,
and they, too, have gone the way of
all historical buildings in the valley of
the aWissahickon." And now, down
stream to the AFairmont WaterworksD
situated to the left of the Green street
entrance. These were first put into
operation in 1892. Seven enormous
Turbine water. wheels furnish the
power for raising thirty-fye million
gallons of water to the. reservoir
above every twenty-fonr hours. Be
sides these there are the Spring Gar
den, and ManaYunk works. These
three furnish the wafer for the entire
city-eighty-foar million gallons per
day. 1 think, however, il a stranger
was to note the number of lager beer
saloons down town. he would aFOn=
der what they did with so much water.
Nevertheless, facts and figures are, as
the old lady remarked of her sex,
stubborn things" 80 slslf- Isaf
Philadelphia might with propriety
be termed the Historical city of tho
Union, as il contains more relics of
the past than any other. The most.
ancient building in the city, is s'The
Old Sweedes Church" built in 100.
1t is still used as a achureh, and stands
in cemetery, among tombstones of
all dates from 100 down to yesterday
It is on Swanson street, bslow Chris
tian. Another relic, of rather uucer-
tain antiquity, is s.Penn's Cottage" "
situated on Letitia street, few doors
below Market, and is now the Wm..
Penn hotel. IC is a little two-story
brick, very unpretentions in appear
ance. A few steps from this. on the
southwest corner of Front and Mar
ket Streets is small brick house, now
used as a tobacco store; but q hum
dred years ago, it was the famous
eLondon Coffee House." where all the
dignitaries of the city were wont to.
congregate and drink each others
health IN cups ofgbot coffee. But
things now are net as they fused to
was.7 ssThe city fathers" now assem-
Bile in state at the "Continentalp and
contribute their mite to the city debt
of fiftymillions, and they don't pledge
each other in hot coffee, either, Oh,
no. Jersey lightning, straight IS
At 239 Arch street, the FIRST AIneri-s
can flag was made. fsE so 81 z3igas.
On Second street, north Of Market.
stands "Christ Church., occupying
the site of the first church erected by
the followers of Penn, in 1885. 4 The
present etliffce, however, was finished
in 1854. Here " ashing gton Y wogshipp led:
The bells in the ahighistower aree the
oldestini Americas They joined with
thesold estate House beil"7 IN pro-
claiming liberty throughout the land.
From, the tower one hundred and
fifty feet ihzheight,- can be obtained
oneiof the hnest views of the city. .
= .3.sa o. 5sa, s : saalIia 1a191 i, ACRE. 81 I