NORTH CAROLINA. 457 



Natural curiosities. ...On the summit of a mountain, in Burke 

 county, about 17 miles from Morgantown, is an immense rock called 

 the Table rock. It is 500 yards long and 300 wide. This vast steep 

 is by computation, more than 100 yards in its average height, above 

 the surface of the mountain. The prospect from the top is very ex- 

 tensive. The front side, and each end of the rock, are perpendicu- 

 lar. The sides of the mountain, below the front, are perpendicular 

 to a considerable distance below. The opposite side descends from 

 the summit, gradually for 120 yards, after which the descent is more 

 steep, to the base of the mountain, on the margin of the river Linville. 

 The rapid falls of this river, many miles above, are seen from the sum- 

 mit. There is a deep fissure in this rock, the entrance to which is 

 at its highest end. The passage is about thirteen feet wide, and the 

 sides are straight and perpendicular. After descending by a flight 

 of natural steps, a considerable distance, there is a rock in the pas- 

 sage, nearly similar to a water wheel, from the massy top of which, 

 the spectator, in looking upwards, has a prospect resembling that of 

 the natural bridge in Virginia, except that the walls are nearer toge- 

 ther, more perpendicular, and uncovered above. 



The Ararat, or Pilot mountain, near Salem, is reckoned among 

 the natural curiosities of North Carolina. It is near a mile in height, 

 and surmounted by a stupendous rocki having very much the ap- 

 pearance of an irregular fortification. In Rowan county there is a 

 curious subterranean wall. Its length has been traced 300 feet, and 

 its height is from 12 to 14. When first discovered, it was supposed 

 to have been a work of art, but subsequent observation has determin- 

 ed it to be a natural production of basalt. There is a natural well in 

 Duplin county, which serves as a drain to the surrounding tract- It 

 is 50 feet in circumference, and about the same in depth. In rainy 

 seasons, it receives the unabsorbed water of the neighbourhood, and 

 conveys it off, by a subterranean passage, the outlet of which is not 

 known. 



Chief towns. ...Newbern is the largest town in North Carolina, 

 and was formerly the residence of the governors, one of whom (go- 

 vernor Tryon) built a splendid palace on the banks of the Trent river, 

 which has been burned. There are several brick dwellings, some of 

 which have claims to elegance, but the principal part of the houses 

 are of wood. There is a brick church for the Episcopalians, and two 

 of wood, for the Methodists and Baptists. The other public build- 

 ings are, an Academy, Court-house, and Masonic Hall. The latter 

 combines under its roof a Theatre, Assembly room and Lodge room. 

 The latter room contains portraits of many of the most distinguish- 

 ed members of the lodge. The theatre is handsome, but has no 

 company, and itinerants receive but little encouragement to visit it. 

 The court-house is a new building, three stories high, with a hand- 

 some spire. Newbern has about 3600 inhabitants. Wilmington is 

 the principal sea port in the state, and contains 37-58 inhabitants. 

 Edenton was formerly the residence of the provincial governors, and 

 a place of considerable trade, but it is on the decline. It contains 

 1709 inhabitants. Fayetteville, situated on the waters of Cape Fear, 

 is the most commercial town in tlie state, and the principal market 

 for tobacco. It has risen from the forest in the space of a few years, 

 and now supplies a large part of the state with foreign merchandise. It 

 contains near 2000 inhabitants. Windsor is an old town on Cushie 

 tiver, rather on the decline, famous for shipping great quantities of 



