RETURN FROM PITTSBURG 369 



along the opposite bank it is reckoned eight miles ; the 

 road is level and proceeds through long woods, among 

 which only a few tobacco-fields are to be seen. All the 

 fences were hung with the freshly pulled tobacco- 

 leaves, so as to let them wilt a little before taking them 

 to the drying-houses proper. 



It is known throughout America that the common 

 sort of people in Virginia speak markedly through the 

 nose ; and it is not imagination that we could already 

 observe this on the way to Alexandria. But a great 

 part of the New Englanders are also given to this 

 habit, which is at bottom nothing but custom and 

 imitation. 



Alexandria, formerly called Belhaven, was settled 

 later than Georgetown but grew incomparably faster. 

 Like Georgetown it stands on the high and almost 

 perpendicular banks of the Potowmack, which for the 

 great convenience of shipping not only ebbs and flows 

 at this place but also somewhat about Georgetown. 

 From Alexandria to the mouth of the Potowmack, 

 where it falls into the Bay, the course of the river is 

 about 150 miles ; and it is as far again from its mouth 

 to the bottom of the Bay ; thus from here ships have 

 some 60 German miles to sail before they reach the 



j 



ocean. The situation of the town is, as said, not only 

 very high towards the river, but rather elevated above 

 the surrounding country, open and agreeable and better 

 placed for defence, should the necessity arise, than 

 many other Virginia towns. The streets are straight 

 and there are some 200 not unpleasing houses ; the 

 number of the inhabitants may be about 2000. This 

 was next to Norfolk, even before the war, one of the 

 wealthiest and most respectable towns in Virginia ; its 



