On topics like these, our simple forefathers were almost silent. Yet we have on record some "fond dreams of hope" of good Mrs. Sybilla Masters (wife of Thomas) who went out to England in 1711-12, to make her fortune abroad by the patent and sale of her "Tuscorora rice," so called. It was her preparation from our Indian corn, made into something like our hominy, and which she then strongly recommended as a food peculiarly adapted for the relief and recovery of consumptive and sickly persons. After she had procured the patent her husband set up a water mill and suitable works near Philadelphia, to make it in quantities for sale. There was much lack of consumptive people in those robust days. Possibly some one may now take the hint and revive it for the benefit of the sufferers and themselves!

About the year 1739, I saw much said in the Gazettes of the newly discovered virtues of the Seneka rattlesnake root, and while the excitement was high, Dr. John Tennant got 100£. from the Virginia colony for proving its use in curing the pleurisy.

In October, 1745, Francis Torres, a Frenchman, (probably the first, and for a long time lonely and neglected quack in our annals) advertises the sale of the Chinese stone with some powders, both to be applied outwardly, and to effect strange cures indeedall ably proved by his certificates. The stone was a chymical preparation; when applied to the bite of a rattlesnake or any such poison it cured immediately. It could draw off humours, cancers, swellings, pains, rheumatisms, toothach; greatly mitigated labour pains, and pangs of the gout, &c. Might it not be a good investment to again introduce some from China! Such a stone would prove the philosopher's stone-like Midas' finger, converting what it touched to gold!-the usual desideratum in those who sell.

Location of first Hospitals, &c.

When city physicians made their calls on foot, it was obvious it was a convenience to have their hospital and poorhouse much nearer than they now are. The hospital therefore, a two-story house of double front still standing, was the hired house of Judge Kinsey, on the east side of High street, fourth house west of Fifth street, having then much open ground and fruit trees in the rear. The poorhouse at the same time, was near the centre of an open meadow extending from Spruce to Pine, and from Third to Fourth streets.

In the time of the war, as has been told under its appropriate head, they made use of several empty private houses for the reception of the sick soldiery by the camp fever. The house of the present Schuylkill Bank, at the south east corner of Sixth and High streets, then deserted by the tory owner, lawyer Galloway, was filled with those feeble men of war. At the same time, the large building in Chesnut street (late Judge Tilghman's) was also so used.

Yellow Fever of 1793.

No history of Philadelphia would be complete, which should overlook the eventful period of 1793, when the fatal yellow fever made its ravages there. It is an event which should never be forgotten, because, whether we regard it as a natural or a spiritual scourge, (effected by the divine power) it is a circumstance which may revisit us, and which therefore, should be duly considered, or we suffer it to lose its proper moral influence.

The medical histories and official accounts of that disastrous period are in print before the public, and in general terms give the statement of the rise, progress, and termination of the disease, and the lists of the weekly, monthly, and total deaths: but the ideas of the reader are too generalised to be properly affected with the measure of individual sufferings; therefore, the facts which I have preserved on that memorable occasion are calculated to supply that defect, and to bring the whole home to people's interests and bosoms.

Let the reader think of a desolation which shut up nearly all the usual churches; their pastors generally fled, and their congregations scattered; the few that still assembled in small circles for religious exercises, not without just fears that their assembling might communicate the disease from one to the other. No light and careless hearers then appeared; and no flippant preaching to indulge itching ears-all, all was solemn and impressive. They then felt and thought they should not all meet again on a like occasion; death, judgment and eternity then possessed the minds of all who so assembled.

Look then, in which way you would, through the streets, and you saw the exposed coffins on chair-wheels, either in quick motion, or you saw the wheels drawn before houses to receive their pestilential charge. Then family friends or mourners scarcely ever accompanied them; and no coffins were adorned to please the eye; but coarse stained wood of hasty fabric received them all. Then graves were not dug singly, but pits, which might receive many before entire filling up, were opened. In the streets you met no cheerful, heedless faces, but pensive, downcast eyes, and hurried steps, hastening to the necessary calls of the sick.

Then the haunts of vice were shut up-drunkenness and revelling found no companions-tavern doors grew rusty on their hinges the lewd or merry song was hushed-lewdness perished, or was banished, and men generally called upon God. Men saluted each other as if doubting to be met again, and their conversation for the moment was about their several losses and sufferings.

The facts of "moving incidents" in individual cases prepared for the present article have been necessarily excluded from lack of room, but may hereafter be consulted on pages 210 to 213 in my MS. Annals in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

CULTURE OF SILK.

FROM the commencement of our annals, at different periods of time, the advantages of silk culture has been recommended attempted.

As early as the year 1725, James Logan, in writing to the Pem family, recommends "the culture of silk in this country as e tremely beneficial and promissing." He says "iron-works also promise well." In the next year he speaks of silk sent to England saying "he is glad it proves so good, and he doubts not, in time, the country may raise large quantities."

In 1734, Governor Gordon addresses the Lords Commission of Trade on various objects of produce, &c. and speaks in strong terms of his expectations from the culture of silk as a fit retur to Great Britain" for their usual importations; he says the tree is so natural to our soil, and the worm thrives so well. Some among us have shewn its practicability by making some small quantities,

In the year 1770, the subject was taken up in Philadelphia and adjacent country with great spirit. It was greatly promoted by the exertions of the American Philosophical Society, stimulated by the communications from Dr. Evans and Dr. Franklin in Europe. Application was made to the Assembly for the establishment of a public filature at Philadelphia, for winding cocoons, and the mar agers to have power to grant premiums, &c. equal to about 5004 per annum, for five years. The necessary incipient funds, equal to 900£. were furnished by generous individuals on subscription, being generally 2£. each, some 15€. and Governor John Pe 20£. With such means the filature was opened in June, 1770, af a house in Seventh street, between Arch and High streets, and rate of premiums were announced.

It appears that in the year 1771, about 2300lbs. were brought there to reel, and that of it 1754lbs. were purchased by the ma agers in about two months, in July and August; nearly two thirds of this had been raised in New Jersey. At the same time much discussion of the subject appeared in the gazettes, and many berry trees were planted in New Jersey and the counties around the subject, and especially after the war had begun, when the for The ladies in particular gave much attention to eign fabrics of silk were cut off from their use. As early as the

mul

year 1770, Susanna Wright, of Lancaster county, at Columbia,

made a piece of mantua of 60 yards length, from her own cocoons, of which I have preserved some specimens* in my MS. Annals in the City Library, page 165 and 170. She also made much sewing silk. Mrs. Hopkinson, mother of the late Francis Hopkinson, raised much cocoons. A woman in Chester county raised thirty thousand worms. To give eclat to these colonial designs, the Queen gave her patronage by deigning to appear in a court dress from this American silk. The best dresses worn with us were woven in England. Grace Fisher, a minister among Friends, made considerable silk stuff; a piece of hers was presented by Governor Dickinson to the celebrated Catharine Macauley. The daughters of Reuben Hains in Germantown raised considerable, and his daughter Catharine who married Richard Hartshorne, wore her wedding dress of the same material-preserved on page 230 of the MS. Annals. The present Mrs. Logan was among those who in the time of the war raised their own silk in conjunction with several other ladies, to provide for their personal or family wants.

In 1772, Robert Proud, our historian, makes a MS. memorandum of his visit to James Wright's place at Columbia, where he saw 1500 worms at their labour, under the charge of "the celebrated Susanna Wright." They said they could raise a million in one season, and would have undertaken it with suitable encouragement.

About the present time, the culture of silk begins again to awaken the public attention. A few families in the country are engaged in it. A Holland family on the Frankford road is making it their exclusive business on a large scale; and in Connecticut whole communities are pursuing it, and supplying the public with sewing silk.

* It received the premium of the Society,

SHIPS AND SHIP-BUILDING.

PHILADELPHIA has long been justly renowned for her superior excellence and elegance of ship-building. None of the colonies equalled her; and perhaps no place in the world surpassed her in her skill and science in this matter. At the present day other cities of the Union are approaching her excellence. When Samuel Humphrys, sen. was lately in England he was offered, it is said, a great sum to remain and execute models for the British Navy. In early times they used to construct at Philadelphia great raft ships, of much larger dimensions than the late renowned ones from Canada, called the Columbus and Baron Renfrew, and which in the present day, have been regarded as nonpareils. A little before the war of Independence, the last raft ship was built and launched at Kensington. Our great raft ships were generally constructed for sale and use in England, when our timber was more plentiful and cheaper. They would carry off" 800 logs of timber, competent to make six ships of 250 tons each." An eye-witness, who saw one of those mammoth fabrics descend into her destined element, said she bent and twisted much in launching, but when on the water looked to the eye of the beholder much like another ship in form, &c.

The ship-yards used to occupy the river banks, beginning about Girard's wharf above High street, up to Vine street, and as population increased, extended northward. As early as the days of the Founder, the ship-yard of William West was began at Vine street. The activity of ship-building there, by which he enriched his posterity, was wonderful. He had generally more orders than he could supply, (so says his present grandson) and mostly required for English and Irish houses abroad. William Penn's letter of 1683, says, even then, "Some vessels have been built here and many boats."

In July, 1718, Jonathan Dickinson writes to his correspondent, saying, "Here is great employ for ship-work for England. It increases and will increase, and our expectations from the iron-works 40 miles up Schuylkill are very great." The same writer calls a ship sometimes a galley, and a small vessel a hoy,—of such he

One was launched in 1774-5 at Slater's wharf, a little south of Poole's bridge, and was navigated by Captain Newman.