WHEELIN. 81 



at Pittsburgh, it ranks as the Birmingham of 

 the states. It furnishes a great proportion of 

 the steam-boat machinery used in America, 

 and trades with the southern and western 

 states by means of steam- vessels, of which I 

 counted thirty of large dimensions, lying at 

 the different wharves along the banks of the 

 river. The town seems busy and flourishing, 

 but is rendered disagreeable by the smoke of 

 its numerous furnaces. 



Thinking I had had quite enough of the 

 American stage, I proposed going to Wheelin 

 by water, the distance by that conveyance be- 

 ing ninety-five miles, which is forty miles more 

 than the distance by land, but after having 

 had my luggage put on board a steamer, I 

 found there was, from the present shallowness 

 of the water, great difficulty in getting down 

 the river, and that I might be stuck fast in the 

 channel for some days. I therefore had my 

 luggage disembarked, and on the 15th of June 

 once more placed myself in the stage, expect- 

 ing certainly no greater enjoyment than 1 had 



