Sketches of History, Life, and Manners, in the United States (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1826 edition. Excerpt: ... and activity. Here you see no one stirring, either in the fields or about the houses. And here I am sorry to re- y mark, for the first time, since I commenced travelling, a bad disposition, and want of principle in the people, dangerous to unprotected travellers; it is hazardous both in the stage and at the inns. The inn-keeper, where we breakfasted after leaving Hartford, is the greatest ruffian I ever met with in any country, and in every respect unworthy the public patronage. We had ruffians in the stage, and the driver himself was one of the rudest, savage looking men I have seen. There was but one man in the stage who might be said to be a gentleman; and by our joint threats we made out to arrive safe at Worcester, about three o'clock P. M., having left Hartford at six A. M. For several miles before entering Worcester, the country is nothing but one mass of stones. Nothing but stone fences in this country, from Albany, with slight exceptions, to this town; and I am told they are universal in the New-England States. They add much to the scenery of the country, by laying it off in squares, by the regularity and symmetry of their appearance. Worcester.--Worcester is a very handsome town; very much like Springfield, and about the same size. The streets are wide and straight; the houses DEGREESof wood, principally, ) are painted white; and though planted with trees, it has not that rural air which the luxuriant olms give to Springfield. It has a very pompous courthouse, resembling the President's house at Washington city, 4 churches, a prison, an alms-house, 2 banks and 2,962 inhabitants. But it is chiefly remarkable for the residence of one of the most distinguished families in Massachusetts--I mean the Waldo family--judge Lincoln, (same...