WESTETIN CANAL. 25 



pcrit'ct stcLtc of preservation, and the epicures of 

 the south will be treated with new and untried 

 dishes of the highest flavor. 



The west is the favorite region of the peach 

 and the plum. x\nd these and other kinds of 

 fruits of the very best quality will be conveyed on 

 the canal 1 liave seen in various places, a plant 

 of fine appearance, which I am told produces ex- 

 cellent fi'Liit of the size and color of a small orange. 

 It is, if I mistake not, the podophyllum peltatuni 

 and is commonly called mandrake, or May apple. 

 This country also contains different species of 

 wild plums of fine quality. The opening of 

 a market for grain will prevent its conversion 

 into ardent spirits — the curse of morals, and the 

 bane of domestic felicity. Whiskey now sells for 

 eighteen cents a gallon. What a temptation to 

 inebriety ! a man may now keep constantly drnnk, 

 fort hree or four shillings a week. Nothing but a 

 heavy excise can banisli the use of this deleterious 

 poison. 



Cattle which are fattened for the market can be 

 transported on the canal with less expense and 

 with more celerity, (and without any diminution 

 of flesh) than by driving. 



In one word, new uses and striking advantages 

 will daily present themselves to observation from 

 this great operation. It is alleged that the canal 



