138 TRAVELS IN THE CONFEDERATION 



and best of American inns. Ever} tiling is good, and 

 so much the better because in so obscure and small a 

 place a comparison is not to be expected with other 

 taverns of the same size or even larger. This house is 

 seldom without guests. + Besides those travelling on 

 business, Philadelphians often come to the place on 

 pleasure excursions, as well to admire the excellent 

 institutions and edifying methods and industry of the 

 Brethren as to find good entertainment at the tavern. 

 At this house I made the acquaintance of the Baron 

 Hermelin, + a learned Swedish mineralogist, who had 

 come over to visit the mines of America and with 

 other business in view. He had spent some time in 

 the various mines and smelting-houses of Jersey, but 

 as a consequence of the incidental fatigue and the un- 

 commonly hot season had contracted a serious illness, 

 which induced him to come to this place. He was now 

 restored through the efforts of the skilful Mr. Otto. 

 His observations, if it seems good to him to communi- 

 cate them to the learned world, will be of very great 

 importance to all mineralogists, but especially to the 

 Americans, for no one before him has given the sub- 

 ject such attention or has been so equipped with the 

 requisite intelligence. 



The Leheigh, at the time of the spring rains and 

 thaws, often rises suddenly to a considerable height ; 

 according to a measuring pole set up at the brewery, 

 as much as 7-8 feet any year, and once n feet, per- 

 pendicular height. This fresh always lasts for some 

 time and helps the flat-boats, laden with grain and 

 other produce, to pass the rocks and shallows which at 

 other times obstruct the navigation of this stream ; the 

 Leheigh flows into the Delaware and so affords (dur- 



