AMERICAN CHARACTER. 219 



of New-York in translarting its Dutch Records — 

 and through the munificence of David Parish, 

 the great banker, he will be enabled to have 

 transcripts of the records of the Dutch West India 

 Company to fill up an important chasm in the his- 

 tory of this great state. 



Thus, my friend, I have made a great discove- 

 ry. In a secluded, unassuming village, I have 

 discovered the most learned man in America, cul- 

 tivating, like our first parent, his beautiful and 

 spacious garden with his own hands — cultivating 

 literature and science — cultivating the virtucg 

 which adorn the fire side and the altar — cultiva- 

 ting the esteem of the wise and the good — and 

 blessing with the radiations of his illumined and 

 highly gifted mind, all who enjoy his conversa- 

 jtion, and who are honored by his correspondence. 



LETTER L. 



Utica, September, 1820. 

 My Dear Sir, 



In the course of my tours, I frequently meet 

 with extraordinary characters — indeed, I think 

 that there are more persons of this description in 

 this, than in any other country. Eccentricities 

 and peculiarities of conduct will always prevail 



