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 This is all matter of ridicule and amusement to a person possessed of the least philosophy. There is also a very numerous class, which assumes a certain air of superiority throughout this whole country—I mean the lawyers. They (even their students and pupils) arrogate to themselves the title or epithet of esquire, which the uninformed mass of the people allow them; and as, by intrigue, they generally fill all the respectable offices in the government as well as the legislature, they assume to themselves a consequence to which they are in no other way entitled.

The profession of physick is also on a very respectable footing in this town. There being four established physicians.—Doctors Bedford, Richardson,[40] Stevenson, and Mowry,[41] all of considerable practice, experience, and reputation.[42]

I shall defer an account of the situation, history and present state of Pittsburgh, until I have finished {72} my tour to the westward, when I shall have obtained more information on so important a subject.

CHAPTER IX

Departure from Pittsburgh—The Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers—Brunot's island—unfortunate death of two gentlemen—Baldwin's mill—Neville's island—Middletown—Logstown—Beaver creek—Beaver town—Fort M'Intosh.

On the 18th July, 1807, accompanied by my intelligent and valuable friend A, I departed from Pittsburgh, in