AMERICAN CHARACTER. 219 



of New- York in translating 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- 

 fy. 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 ihe aJtar — cultiva- 

 ting the^esteem of the wise and the good— and 

 blessing with the radiations of his illumiu'id lad 

 highly gifted mind, all who enjoy his conversa- 

 tion, and who are honored by his correspoDdence, 



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, tljan in any other country. Eccentricities 

 and peculiarities of conduct ^ill always prevail 



