Page:American Historical Review, Volume 12.djvu/95

 JouDial of John Mair, ijgi 85 pose the cultivation of hemp and expect from every appearance great success, the circumjacent country is beautifull, being mostly pasture ground, for as yet they do not grow corn in common, importing most of their fiower from Philadelphia. None of their publick buildings are much worth noticing, their Market both for fish and flesh is prittv abundant but wants the neatness of the other cities. I made frequent excursions on Horseback, to the contiguous towns and villiages. from the Church at Dorchester' there is a charming view of a fine country the Harbour which is render'd more beautifull by its being replete with small Islands, and the town, the road lead- ing to Cambridge over the Xeck and returning by Charles town is very pritty. the Colledge is a good building, and on a good foundation, there is a small river navigable for sloops up to it. it is about 4 Miles from Boston. I frequently went to see Bunkers hill which is con- tiguous to Charles town which during the war was burn'd down, nor has it since recover'd its former size or splendour. the Inhabitants in general are very hospitable, but do not give much into the pleasures of the table dining early and doing as much business after as before dinner, nor do the ladies come much into company, some of them are very pritty, but want the polish of language, and the easy and eligant manner polite education gives. the 8th. of June I took leave of Boston and went in the stage to Hart- ford, this is the only mode of conveyance in the united states, and is bad enough especially when crowded, for their numbers are not stinted and both there and at their Inns people are bundled together like sheep going to Market; the country we pass'd through is beautifully varied well waterd and has several small lakes or ponds, in general hilly, the road tolerable and capable of being made very excellent, replete with towns and villiages in short a very thick setled country for the first 60 Miles, after which the soil being bad (a loose sand) there is much wood left standing, and the settlements but thin, till near Springfield on the river of Connectacut, where the Stage is ferry'd over, from thence to Hartford (the Capital of Connecticut) the country is very rich, and mostly a plain, so that the Towns and villiages allmost e.xtend to one an- other. Suffield, and Windsor are both handsome towns, and are in- habited by Gentn. retir'd on their Ests. Hartford is a pritty extensive town, the streets very long, but not pav'd, some of the houses are neat enough but all are built of wood, it stands on the Connectacut river and has a small river running through the town into it, it ships horses, cattle etc for the W : I : and a quantity of hay of the Southward, they also breed a number of Jilules in this country a branch of commerce which is dayly encreasing. from the Balcony of the church Steeple one has a charming view of the circum- jacent country, than which nothing can be more rich and beautifull. we hir"d a carriage from hence next day, and went to see Middletown. ' Meetinghouse Hill.