POTOMAC. 91 



the States, and along both its banks are nu- 

 merous fishing stations. To describe the great 

 beauty of its scenery, would be very much to 

 repeat a description of what is to be seen on 

 all the great rivers and lakes of America, I 

 had visited. I think it may correctly enough 

 be said that, if any one to whom the scenery 

 of the Thames above London is familiar, were 

 to fancy the contexture of its natural objects 

 very much increased in magnitude, and viewed 

 in an atmosphere of great lustre and tranquil- 

 lity, he might form a tolerable notion of the 

 richness and grandeur of the summer scenery 

 of an American river. 



At five P. M. I landed at a wharf sixty miles 

 from Washington, and thence proceeded by 

 stage to Fredericksburgh, over nine miles of 

 road as abominable as can be imagined. 



For the remaining distance of sixty miles I 

 placed myself on the railway, and at half-past 

 eleven reached my destination at Richmond, 

 having in fourteen hours travelled one hun- 

 dred miles by railway, sixty by water, and nine 

 by the stage. 



