177 
bridge, which leads over Conestoga creek. This bridge resem¬ 
bles those in Ohio, though much lighter; it cannot last long. The 
arches in Ohio are formed of eight or ten planks placed over each 
other, and united by screws, so that the bridge seems to rest on 
springs, resembling those of carriages; whereas, here the arch 
consisted of a single crooked fir tree. In the evening I received 
a number of visits, among which I may mention one from a mem¬ 
ber of congress, Mr. Buchanan, whose speeches in congress are 
received with much applause, and a Mennonist, Mr. Witmer, 
who showed me a contrivance, invented by himself, to cool 
wine. 
On the 28th of May we left Lancaster, at five o’clock, A. M. 
The turnpike was in a good state, and we advanced on an average 
five miles an hour, so that we reached Philadelphia before seven 
o’clock in the evening, after travelling sixty-four miles. Be¬ 
tween Lancaster and Philadelphia, we passed through Sanders- 
burg, Paradise, Sadsbury, Coastville, I) ownings town, and Warre; 
between these there are yet a number of settlements and taverns. 
The streams are Conestoga creek, near which they are digging 
the navigable canal, Peegnea creek, two arms of the Brandywine, 
and last of all the Schuylkill at Philadelphia. Upon the whole, 
the country is not hilly; we had only to ascend Mine ridge, on 
which we rode for several miles. 
The whole country is cultivated in a most excellent manner, 
and covered with handsome farms; many barns look like large 
churches. The fences were often supplied by dry stone walls, 
or live hedges. A well-built hospital stands not farTrom Lan¬ 
caster, to which an avenue of Lombardy poplars leads, here 
much admired. The country about Brandywine is classic ground, 
on which much blood was shed during the revolution. We 
passed near to Valley Forge, where the great Washington 
was encamped with his corps, whilst the English held Philadel¬ 
phia. The farther we proceeded, the more clearly we saw that 
we approached a large city, for the number of elegant country- 
seats increased, and people in handsome attire met us on foot, on 
horseback, and in carriages. In Philadelphia we again took 
lodgings at the Mansion-house. 
Thus I was once more on well known ground, in beloved Phi¬ 
ladelphia. During the few days which I could pass here, old 
acquaintances were renewed with pleasure, and new ones form¬ 
ed with new interest. At the same time I saw several things 
which had escaped me at my former visit. Mr. Huygens, who 
had hitherto been my companion, now left me, and returned to 
his friends at Washington. 
I rode to the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, with my old friend Mr. 
Vol. II. 23 
