86 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 



seemed on the verge of starvation. Often was 

 my heart moved to compassion as I viewed their 

 dilapidated clothing, many of them being almost 

 naked, while in their countenances want and mis- 

 ery were depicted. As I passed the settlements 

 and, prompted by pity, gave them some dona- 

 tions, I saw their faces brighten as I placed the 

 money in their tawny and wrinkled hands, while 

 their expressions of thankfulness more than re- 

 warded me for the gifts bestowed. In passing 

 through this State I formed many classes, meet- 

 ing with even better success than I anticipated. 

 Leaving Maryland, I entered the little State 

 of Delaware, renowned for the extent of its 

 orchards and the excellence of its peaches, which 

 fruit forms the most profitable crop of the State, 

 and is unequaled by any grown elsewhere. The 

 country here also is level, but in many parts so 

 sandy as to weary the traveler, whose animals 

 often labor through sand to the depth of six 

 inches, while the scorching rays of the sun, re- 

 flected from the sand, add much to the discom- 

 fort of a journey through this State. 



