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William Priest - Travels in the United States of America
serves him for a kitchen and wash-house. I have observed buildings in this state in the heart of the city;
but they are more common in the outskirts. Our friend Wright is exactly in this situation; but I am afraid
it will be many years before he will be able to build in front.
The buildings in this city are about two thirds of brick, and the rest of wood. The foundations of the
former are in general of a species of marble; the bricks are uncommonly well manufactured; and these
buildings are more firmly constructed than in Europe. Those of wood are the reverse, which you will
easily credit, when I inform you, that when a house of this description is offered for sale, it is by no
means understood, as in England, that the land on which it stands is included in the purchase.
They have a method of removing these buildings entire. A house travelling in this
manner through the streets of the city is to a European a truly grotesque and extraordinary sight.
During the time the British troops had possession of this city in the last war, they were much distressed
for fuel, and obliged to cut down all the wood they could meet with; upwards of a thousand acres of
peach and apple orchard were destroyed, belonging to one family. This destruction of the trees has
materially hurt the prospects for three or four miles on the Pensylvania side; the opposite Jersey shore
(except the plantations) is one entire forest.
Philadelphia is at present supplied with water from pumps, placed in different parts of the city; but a
company of adventurers are bringing water from above the falls of Scuylkill, in the manner of the New
River in London: but mean to improve on sir Hugh Middleton's plan, by making their aqueduct also
serve the purposes of inland navigation.
The inhabitants are in general very fond of theatrical representations; their new theatre is an elegant
building, from a design the subscribers obtained from London, where the principal scenes were painted
by Richardson and Rooker. The receipts of the house have exceeded one thousand six hundred dollars.
The fair Philadelphians are by no means so fond of walking, as the English ladies; not that they have
any great dislike to a trip into the country, but it is not fashionable even for a
maid servant to make use of her legs on these occasions; the consequence is, that there are 806
two and four wheeled machines entered at the office, and pay duty, as pleasure carriages, most of
which are for hire; and yet the inhabitants do not exceed 50000, of whom there are not three individuals
but follow some profession, trade, or employment. In a few days I shall have an opportunity of sending
you a publication, which will give you a more ample account of this city than you now receive from
Yours, &c.
Since writing this letter, the seat of government of the state has been removed to Lancaster, as being
nearer the centre; for the same reason, that of the general government of the United States, will, in the
year 1800, be removed to the federal city, now building in the district of Columbia.
Several uniform and elegant rows of houses have lately been built.
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Philadelphia, March 7th, 1794.
DEAR SIR,
It is a general observation with respect to the English, that they eat more animal food than the people of
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