Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 4).djvu/147

 {120} Eight miles below Old-town creek we were carried through Le Tart's falls at the rate of six knots an hour, but the rapid, which it ought to be called more properly than falls, is not more than half a mile long.

Captain or squire Sears's house, opposite to which we landed our passengers, is very pleasantly situated on the left shore, commanding a view of two islands above the falls, the nearest one in cultivation,—the opposite shore variegated with low hills and valleys, woods, cultivated fields and farm houses, a new water mill which he is building on the right bank of the rapid, and the river below, taking a sudden bend from N. W. to N. E. by N.

A mile and a half lower down we observed a large barge on the stocks in the woods on the right bank.

Four miles from the falls we came to Graham's station, which is a fine populous settlement, extending about three miles along the left bank of the river, from West creek to Wolfe's farm house, which is charmingly situated on a cliff. The Ohio side opposite is also well settled.

On passing Wolfe's we asked a man at the door who it was that lived there: He informed us, and {121} civilly invited us to land and quench our thirst at a fine spring on the beach; but we declined stopping, as we had filled our water cask at Pickets's mill.

There is a ferry across the Ohio about the middle of Graham's station, which connects a road from Big to Little

practice of a few families, in which he might have lodged; and which might have altered their usual mode of eating and drinking, in order to accommodate the supposed habits of this great traveller, he being a native of France, where it is well known coffee is much used after dinner. How much more would the publick be benefitted by the remarks of travellers on the manners and customs of countries, would they divest themselves of their prejudices, passions, and partialities, and confine themselves to the relation of simple truths. Methinks a traveller who intends to publish his travels, ought to be a philosopher, in the true sense of the word.—]
 * [Footnote: custom of a people; and think it probable he drew his conclusions from the particular