The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-05-17
4 RARE 0LD BOOK.

 volume which, in the judgment of an antiquarian at least, would naturally be considered as possessing consldera- ble interest and some value as curios- ity. It Is a geographical work, the "Preface to the First Edition" bearing the date, Hartford, May 12, 1795," be- ing just a century old. Its title is "a short but comprehensive system of the Geography of the World, by way of question and answer. Principally de- signed for children and common schools. By Nathaniel Dwight, Hart ford Printed by Hudson &s Goodwin. Sold by them at their bookstore, oppo- site the North meeting house; by I. Beers, New Haven; by B. Talmadge & Co.,, Litchfield; by T. c. Green, New London; and by Andrew Huntington, Norwich" It contains but three maps, folded between the leaves, namely: A Chart of the Eastern Continent" a Chart of the Western Continent" and a Map of the United States of Ameri- ca" each bear the imprint "Amos Doo- little, Sculp., New Haven" On the lat ter map, what is now known as the state of Maine was then called the District of Maine" New England com prising only five instead of six states proper; while a portion of the territory now comprising the state of Ohio was then called New Connecticut" The country extending westward from New Connecticut was then known as the Northwest Territory" and was in- habited mostly, if not altogether, by the various Indian tribes. It was also the paradise of that now almost extinct quadruped the American bison, and other native animals which a develop ment of the country has served to greatly diminish in number. Judging from the curtailment of this map on the west. that portion of country lying on the Pacific coast and extending to the eastward as far as Louisiana which state was much larger than at then sort of terra incog- nita, about the same as is the region around the North Pole to us at the present day. At that period there were only sixteen states proper in the Ameri- can Union, the capital being Philadel- phia. It was then in contemplation, however, to remove the seat of govern ment to "a place called Washington, on the Potomac river" Tennessee was then known as Tennessee Govern ment" not yet having reached the dig nity of statehood.
 In the chapter which treats of our own state we find this answer to the question, What is the state of manu- factures in Connecticut?" '"They are when compared to some others of the United States, considerably advanced, and are still improving Most families make the greater part of their wearing (think of this, o ye great of New HavenD land there are several considerable manufactories of cloths in various parts of the state; glass, several sorts of iron ware, pa- per, powder, cotton and wool cards, | and several other important and useful | articles are manufactured for exporta- tion."
 And thls Is what we find descriptive | of our justly proud City of ElmsR
 "It is about forty miles southwest of | lying on a large bay which extends about four miles from the shore. It contains between four and |
  public worship, three for Congregation- alists, one for Epicopallans, two col eges and a handsome state-house" The Vandal had not yet made his ap- oearance This probably refers, how sver, to the original structure, which Mr Montgomery had no hand in demol- shing.) "These houses" the author 'are generally built with yood but in general are handsome, and | several are elegant. The streets of this ,ity all cross each other at right an- ylesIt is the most regular eity in New England. The number of it's inhabi- ants is about four thousand. It is sit- lated on handsome plain bounded on hree sides by mountains, and Is place # considerable trade" We wonder If description of our city in this year of ,ur Lord 1895 will strike Its inhabitants IS oddly hundred years hence.
 This ancient volume was the proper y of James Perkins, of Woodbridge, called by his towns people Uncle Jlm," who died at an advanced .ge several years ago, and was his geo. -raphical textbook while a youth. It s now in very good state of preserva- ion, evidencing careful usage on the art of its former possessor. On the whole 1t is a very interesting relic of the lays long past, before steam railroads, lectric telegraphs, ocean cables and he many other wonderful scientific riumphs of latter times were even reamed of. Fl. T. P.
 New Haven, May 8, 1895.
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