Page:American History Told by Contemporaries, v2.djvu/117

No. 32] religions, it is almost impossible to give them any precise or determinate character. The women are handsome and agreeable ; though rather more reserved than the Philadelphian ladies. Their amusements are much the same as in Pensylvania ; viz. balls, and sleighing expeditions in the winter ; and, in the summer, going in parties upon the water, and fishing ; or making excursions into the country. There are several houses pleasantly situated upon East river, near New York, where it is common to have turtle-feasts : these happen once or twice in a week. Thirty or forty gentlemen and ladies meet and dine together, drink tea in the afternoon, fish and amuse themselves till evening, and then return home in Italian chaises, (the fashionable carriage in this and most parts of America, Virginia excepted, where they make use only of coaches, and these commonly drawn by six horses), a gentleman and lady in each chaise. In the way there is a bridge, about three miles distant from New York, which you always pass over as you return, called the Kissing-Bridge, where it is a part of the etiquette to salute the lady who has put herself under your protection.

The present state of this province is flourishing : it has an extensive trade to many parts of the world, particularly to the West Indies ; and has acquired great riches by the commerce which it has carried on, under flags of truce, to Cape-Francois, and Monte-Christo. The troops, by having made it the place of their general rendezvous, have also enriched it very much. However, it is burthened with taxes, and the present public debt amounts to more than 300,000!. currency. The taxes are laid upon estates real and personal ; and there are duties upon Negroes, and other importations. The provincial troops are about 2600 men. The difference of exchange between currency and bills, is from 70 to 80 per cent.

Before I left New York, I took a ride upon Long Island, the richest spot, in the opinion of the New-Yorkers, of all America ; and where they generally have their villas, or country houses. It is undeniably beautiful, and some parts of it are remarkably fertile, but not equal, I think, to the Jerseys. The length of it is something more than 100 miles, and the breadth 25. About 15 or 16 miles from the west end of it, there opens a large plain between 20 and 30 miles long, and 4 or 5 broad. There is not a tree growing upon it, and it is asserted that there never were any. Strangers are always carried to see this place, as a great curiosity, and the only one of the kind in North America.