22 SIR JOHN SINCLAIR OF AMERICA. 



appellation I found he well merited. A dirty-looking girl 

 opened the door of a house in one of the principal streets, 



and desired me to occupy a seat in the passage until 



came down stairs. The passage was about five feet wide by 

 forty in length, and so dark that objects were not distinctly 

 visible in the lightest part of it ; and in this hole, on a plain 

 wooden chair, I sat for upwards of a quarter of an hour before 

 the gentleman made his appearance. During this interval of 

 suspense, I debated with myself the indignity offered me 

 according to British notions, and whether I ought to leave 

 my dungeon in disgust ; but on reflection I resolved to submit 

 to any thing, short of insult and imposition, that might come 

 in the way, whilst amongst the Americans, for the double 

 purpose of seeing character -and ensuring personal comfort 

 knowing 1 how disagreeable it would be to act at variance with 



o o 



the manners and customs of a nation, and vain to expect to bring 

 the population to my way of thinking on such matters. The 

 gentleman at last made his appearance, and conducted me to 

 a room, without saying a single word about the delay he had 

 occasioned, or the situation in which I had been placed ; and 

 from his manners being easy and polite, I was led to conjec 

 ture that sitting in the dark lobby was a common occurrence 

 with his visitors. My reception was flattering, his offers of 

 service extensive, and conversation, which was chiefly agricul 

 tural, more fluent than profound. 



Rain continued to fall in torrents during the night and 

 next day, which prevented us visiting the celebrated botanic 

 gardens belonging to Colonel Ker, to whom we had letters. 

 With the aid of a street coach, we, however, reached Fair 

 Mount, where public works which supply the city with water 

 are situated. The machinery is propelled by water from the 

 river, part of which is raised to an elevated reservoir, from 

 which the city receives a copious supply for every purpose. 

 The reservoir is surrounded by a pale fence, enclosing well- 

 kept walks, accessible by flights of steps. The beauty of the 

 spot and surrounding scenery deserve a visit from every person 

 of taste, even although they disregard the machinery of the 

 works. 



From Fair Mount we drove to the Naval Yard, which we 



