to try the coal in their grates and furnaces, and even to hire journeymen to give it a fair trial, after publishing handbills, in English and German, with a minute description of the manner of kindling and treating it. In 1812, Col. George Shockmaker took nine wagons, loaded with coal, from the Schuylkill mines to Philadelphia, and succeeded in selling two of them. It was with difficulty that he could persuade any persons to try the remainder, which he left without selling. The amount of foreign coal imported into the United States, in 1846, was 156,853 tons, worth $378,597; which is very small, compared with the above estimate for the supply of anthracite from the mines of Pennsylvania. PHILADELPHIA.-This city was originally confined to a point on the western bank of the Delaware, five miles above its confluence with the Schuylkill, and about one hundred from the ocean. The river is of sufficient depth for the free admission of vessels of the largest size; but the navigation is subject to a long interruption, by ice, during the winter months. The city now extends quite across the broad, level space to the Schuylkill, a distance of about two miles, while the northern and southern districts, and several adjacent villages, having received portions of the increasing population, now contain, together, a large, compact mass of houses, with a population inferior to no city in the United States, except New York. Almost without a single exception, Philadelphia is laid out on a plan of perfect regularity. The streets are perfectly straight, and those running north and south are crossed at right-angles by those running east and west, at equal intervals. The former are distinguished by the cardinal numbers-First, Second, Third, &c., beginning near the Delaware, as far as Independence square, in the centre of the city; and between the western limits and that point, by the designation of Schuylkill-First, Second, Third, &c. The principal cross-streets are named after trees, as Walnut, Chestnut, &c., except the central, which is Market street, and one or two others. These principal streets so far alluded to, form fine, large squares, which are subdivided by streets of a second class, and inferior breadth, of which those running east and west bear the names of shrubs and inferior plants. Philadelphia is distinguished by its neatness, as well as uniformity, and contains many institutions of science, learning, and beneficence, as useful as they are honorable to the inhabitants. Philadelphia is remarkable for a neat and pleasing style of building. Hundreds of houses, of the first class, have basements and steps of white marble; and the pavements, which are generally wide, are carefully washed and swept. Great cleanliness prevails through a large part of the city, although the surface of the ground is so flat as to be rather unfavorable. Sewers have been constructed to a considerable extent, and the good habits of the people are the chief cause of this important feature in their city, which is favored by the absence of great thoroughfares, the passage of carriages being confined to no particular streets. Markets. The principal markets are concentrated in Market street, in which a long line of buildings, well planned, and built for the purpose, extends about a mile, and is proverbial for convenience and neatness. Abundant supplies of the best articles of food are displayed, with neatness and in good order, while sufficient room is allowed to buyers and sellers. For good meat, butter, and some other products of the fine agricultural districts in the neighborhood, Philadelphia has long been celebrated. South of the city lies an extensive tract of fertile meadow-land, where rich pastures and fine gardens abound; the benefits of which are enjoyed by the inhabitants. The large draught-horses, reared with great care by the Dutch farmers, for use in their heavy wagons, are seen in great numbers. The Philadelphia Library is one of the earliest, most extensive, and valuable, in the country, and was founded by the exertions of Benjamin Franklin, about the year 1727, when a little common." club of young men was formed by top of the basement story with six beauFranklin, and used to meet in Pewter- tiful Corinthian columns; the capitals Platter alley, for reading and debate, worked by the best Italian artists. This and commenced the collection by giving portico is of the height of two stories, their own books. Several of the mem- and communicates with the "exchangebers afterward became distinguished room," by means of nine separate winmen, particularly Thomas Godfrey, the dows, which may be used as doorways. inventor of the mariners' quadrant. A hall passes through the centre of the Fifty new members were added in 1730, building, from Dock to Third streets, and, in 1742, Thomas Penn incorporated and another likewise communicates with it. The colonial legislature, in 1769, this from the north side. The basement comprehended several other libraries story is fifteen feet in height, is arched with it, under an act conferring upon it throughout, and has twelve doorways on its present name. "This," says Frank- the Third-street front and flanks. On lin, 66 was the mother of all the North the right or north side of the hall, is the American subscription libraries, now so postoffice, seventy-four by thirty-six feet, and on the left are several insurance offices and banks, and the session-room of the chamber of commerce. flights of stairs, one on each side of the hall, ascend to the second floor; at the head of these is the entrance to the exchange-room, which is on the east front, extending across the whole building, and occupying an area of 3,300 superficial feet. The ceiling, extending to the roof, is of the form of a dome, and supported by several marble columns. Its pannels are ornamented with splendid fresco paintings, representing Commerce, Wealth, Liberty, &c., beautifully executed, appearing to have as striking a relief as sculptured work. The roof of the building is oval, and surmounted by a circular lantern that rises forty feet. The American Philosophical Society, opposite the Philadelphia Library, is another of the principal institutions of the city, which claims Franklin as its founder. In 1743, he formed a small society for the purpose of pursuing curious experiments and inquiries; and, after its decline, and that of a second, commenced in 1750, the American Philosophical Society, and the American Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. These two societies were combined, in 1769, under a common title, and Franklin was elected president. Provision was made, by David Rittenhouse, to observe the transit of Venus. Several subjects of great public importance were carly considered by this society, which show the science and benevolence of the members. The American Historical Society, which has distinguished itself by the publication of the writings of their late president, Mr. Duponceau, was formerly only a department of the Philosophical society. The Exchange is situated at the corner of South, Third, and Walnut streets, and on the angle formed by the intersection of Dock with Walnut and Third streets. It was built in 1833, by the merchants and citizens of Philadelphia. It is constructed entirely of marble-is a rectangular parallelogram in form, ninety-five feet front on Third street, by one hundred and fifty on Walnut street. On Dock street, however, is a semicircular projection, ornamented from the Two The Customhouse, located in Chestnut street, is a splendid edifice of white marble, on the plan of the Parthenon of Athens, except that the side colonnades are wanting. The Girard Bank is a marble building, with six beautiful Corinthian columus. A portion of it is represented in our engraving of the exchange. The Bank of Pennsylvania, opposite the Girard bank, has two fronts, on Second and Dock streets, each with six Ionic columns. The Statehouse, containing the halls of the old Congress, is interesting from its associations with the important period of the Revolution, and especially with its commencement. Independence hall, the apartment east of the entrance, |