duce it; which may be easily done; for good barley is raised here, and hops grow wild. Apples, pears, plums and cherries thrive well. Peaches are not so good as in the southern states, although the trees last longer. Perhaps the inferiority of the fruit may in some degree be in consequence of want of care respecting the kind; for I do not find any grafted. The trees are all raised from the stones. However, as this tree was originally brought from a southern climate (mala Persica), the presumption is that it finds in Maryland or Virginia a more congenial situation. Susquehanna is in the secondary formation. The stone is principally grey or reddish shistose sandstone, and clay slate, in some instances mingled with a small proportion of calcareous earth; but I believe none has been found in which the latter predominates.

On some of the branches of Wyalusing, one of the streams of this county, there is an appearance of salt; and a small quantity has been made very pure and white. It is supposed, that it might be manufactured extensively and profitably. Some persons are now at work, in digging a well for it on the waters of Silver Creek. The salt at present used here, is brought from the salt works in the state of New-York, a distance of eighty miles to the north of this, where it is made in great quantities, and sold at half a dollar per bushel.

Small specimens of iron ore have been shown to me, and there is reason to believe that more might

be found if search were made below the surface, In one place, for more than a mile in extent, the needle of the surveyor's compass cannot be made to traverse; yet no one has been at the trouble to search for the cause. I do not know of any coal in this county; but near the southern boundary of it, coal resembling the Welch culm, or Kilkenny coal, is found in great abundance.

Susquehanna was formed into a county in 1812, and there are now within its limits, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven taxables; which, at a computation of five and one third inhabitants to each taxable, and which I am informed is a common one, give ten thousand one hundred and seventeen inhabitants within the limits of the county. From this statement you will see, that you are not invited to a wilderness.

LETTER IV.

Rivers, Streams, and Lakes.

THE Susquehanna river rises in the state of NewYork, and runs nearly a south course, till it passes the Pennsylvania line, about twelve miles from the Delaware river. It then turns to the west, and repasses the state line, near the twentieth milestone; and after receiving the Chenango and Owego riv

ers, it turns again to the south, and entering Pennsylvania near the fifty-seventh milestone, continues a general south course, passing Harrisburg, the seat of government in Pennsylvania, till it enters into the Chesapeake Bay. In its course it receives several other rivers as tributaries. It is a clear and beautiful river, but rather too shallow when the waters are low. In the spring and autumn, immense quantities of grain, boards, timber, salt, and gypsum, are sent down it to market. There are many flourishing villages on its banks. One of these, called Wilkesbarre', is beautifully situated in the valley of Wyoming, which has been immortalized in the song of one of our poets. But

"On Susquehanna's side, fair Wyoming,"

is now so safe from Indian, or any other warfare, that perhaps there is not an inhabitant of the valley, who could be induced to believe that all the powers in the pay of the allied sovereigns could reach it, if the attempt were made in hostile array. On looking at the map, you will perceive that the Susquehanna makes a large bend round this county, from which the streams flow into it in all directions. From a field within half a mile of me, the eye can trace the line of hills the whole extent of this great sweep, which on the north is twelve miles, on the west thirty, and the same distance on the south. The small streams are very abundant; and there are a number of beautiful little lakes, of

various sizes, from half a mile to a mile long.— These are generally at the heads of the streams; where the hills, sloping gradually, form a kind of basin. Their waters are extremely pure, and abound with fish of different sorts, as the trout, perch, pike, sunfish, chub, mullet, catfish, and eel. The rivulets, or brooks, are in the United States called creeks; and in this county their waters are as pure as the springs. Trout abound in them, as may be best seen by the result of a day's fishing with the rod and line, in the outlet of Silver Lake, by two gentlemen, at three different times. The first time, they caught twenty-seven dozen; the second time, twenty dozen; and the third time, thirty-five dozen and an half. alive, this would be enough to hanna. There is no hard water here; every stream will wash; and the thirsty traveller may drink pleasantly of every brook or lake.

If old Walton were bring him to Susque

It is considered to be of immense advantage to Philadelphia, to draw the produce of the lands watered by the Susquehanna to that city; and different companies have been incorporated by the legislature for the purpose of uniting that river with the Delaware and Schuylkill, which flow by the wharves of Philadelphia. Much labour has been done on a canal, intended to connect their branches; and companies are now engaged in improving the Schuylkill, Lehigh, and different rivers on the rout,

by dams and locks; which promise to be very successful in their result.

It is not, therefore, by our own labour alone, that we are likely to be benefited; the legislature, as well as individuals, are actively employed in facilitating the means of transporting our produce to the sea side, from which our distance is now but a ride of two or three days.

LETTER V.

Game.

DEER are very numerous in the woods, and frequently commit depredations on the young grain. Venison, indeed, is so abundant, as to be the cheapest meat here. You will get the best haunches for two pence per pound. Deer are commonly shot with a rifle ball, or chased by dogs; in which case, it is usual, in order to avoid their pursuers, to betake themselves to some stream or lake. In the latter case, they are easily overtaken by means of a boat. There appears to be a great certainty in taking them, whenever they are wanted, in this way; for I heard a hunter, whom Mr. Rose sometimes employs, say, that he brought his dog to Silver Lake, twelve times last fall, and each time caught a deer. There is a good deal of amusement for a