FROM PHILADELPHIA 139 



ing the spring freshes) a convenient passage to Phila- 

 delphia. In the Leheigh and tributary creeks are 

 found Muscles (a thin-shelled mytilus a good deal like 

 that living in European ponds) which at times contain 

 pretty large and clear pearls. Recently a man of this 

 region sold more than an ounce of them at Philadel- 

 phia. To find a few good pearls many muscles must 

 be opened. The muskrats lighten the labors of the 

 pearl hunters. These beasts are great lovers of the 

 muscle. They hold their feasts preferably at still reaches 

 of the stream, on the sand or on rocks jutting into the 

 water. If they find pearls they spit them out. Certain 

 people observed the circumstance and made use of it 

 they examined the sand of such places and found with- 

 out trouble many pearls ready shelled. 



We visited the certainly remarkable farm and factory 

 buildings of this place. A well constructed oil and 

 flour mill. The oil mill is new-built, having been burnt 

 a few years ago, and in an incendiary way, it is sup- 

 posed. On the topmost floor of the mill a crane is so 

 fixed that by the mill machinery itself the heaviest 

 loads can be drawn up without further trouble. A 

 lucrative tannery, with tan-mill attached. A con- 

 siderable dye-works, where they dye red and blue to 

 excellent effect. 



Since Bethlehem stands on a height composed of 

 limestone, a single spring, but a strong and beautiful 

 one, must supply the whole place and all the houses 

 with water. This spring lies far below at the foot of 

 the hill and near to the river. An excellently con- 

 trived water-works, (suction and pressure), raises the 

 water through copper pipes to a water-tower, standing 

 some distance away on the hill near the larger buildings. 



