UNITED STATES. 17 
of this coldness of appearance in the rooms might be done away with, 
were more furniture introduced than is usually to be found even in the 
houses of the wealthier classes, where we miss many of those objects of - 
taste and luxury rather than of utility, which nevertheless minister in 
uo small degree to the comfort and cheerfulness of our apartments 
whilst relieving their vacuity.* It is customary here and in the other 
large towns of the Union, to close the shutters or. outside blinds, from 
an early hour. in the morning till late in the afternoon, keeping the 
rooms nearly in darkness. By this precaution great coolness is 
secured, but whole streets so shut up convey a melancholy feeling of 
desertion, as if some fearful visitation had befallen the inhabitants. 
About sunset every shutter and sash is thrown open for the admission 
of air, till now so rigidly excluded, and the animated hum of voices 
succeeds to the death-like stillness of the past da 
August 27th.—Went to Woodlands, formerly the residence of Wm. 
Hamilton, Esq., a gentleman much devoted to arboriculture, and who 
formed a collection here of all the American timber-trees he could 
procure, of which many fine specimens are now standing. The place 
is situated on the west of the city, and near the Schuylkill, by Gray's 
ferry, and is at present in progress of being laid out for a publie. 
cemetery. "The grounds are extensive and finely diversified with gentle 
risings and groves of stately trees, but, together with the house, are 
in a neglected state. Cuphea viscosissima was abundant in grassy places 
and in full flower, and Spiranthes tortilis grew under the trees in some 
plenty. This much resembles our S. autumnalis and grows in. similar 
places, but is a much taller and slenderer species with a more lax 
spike, and the root-leaves disappear before the flowers expand. Tri- 
cuspis seslerioides, Andropogon nutans and A. scoparius, several species 
commercial inns is absolute seclusion. In private residences, more attention is paid 
to coolness and other essentials to niet and convenience, which the trave E and 
Me publie of America seem neither to look for nor require in their not always 
emporary .domiciles 
* This pr caf im of the ine for white is universal, and I suspect derived 
from the Dutch settlers. It is in their steam-boats, the ‘hulls and upper works 
pos white, are seldom of any livelier srg than bes palest French grey or other 
eutral tint to be just visible.. Their most sumptuous building, the capitol at Wash- 
peres is prin conformably to this Sa wem whilst the residence of the chief 
magistrate of the pad is familiarly known as the “ White-House," from the daz- 
mus aspect of its exterior 
VOL-I D 
