Produced by John R. Bilderback and PG Distributed Proofreaders
[Illustration: PETER BROWN'S ARMS.]
Commencing in the Year 1793, and Ending in 1797. With The Author's
Journals of his Two Voyages Across the Atlantic
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BY WILLIAM PRIEST, Musician,
Late of the Theatres Philadelphia, Baltimore and Boston.
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CAPPRICCIO con——
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LONDON:
Printed for J. Johnson, No. 72, St. Paul's Church-Yard
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1802.
Bryer, Printer, Bridewell Hospital, Bridge Street.
An elegant writer observes that a preface may be dispensed with in anywork, if the author (either from his humility of justice) think that hisstyle be calculated only to put his readers to sleep. Though I do notthink the publication of the following sheets will materially affect theprice of opium, I cannot intrude this volume on the public withoutinforming them, what all my friends will vouch for the truth of, viz.—that on my return from America, in 1797, I wrote the work in its presentform for their perusal; and, that conscious of my want of talent as awriter, I resisted all their entreaties for its publication, till withinthese three months.
The public, I presume, will not be wholly disappointed; the extracts Ihave made from Jefferson, Belknap, and other american writers, areworthy their attention: I have no other merit than having placed them ina tolerable point of view.
"The God of Truth, and all who knowme, will bear testimony that, from mywhole soul, I despise deceit, as I do allsilly claims to superior wisdom, andinfallibility, which so many writers, bya thousand artifices, endeavour to maketheir readers imagine they possess."
Introduction
JOURNAL—Gravesend—why so called—Deal—Falmouth—Pendennis castle—agale—a hymn—the gulph weed—sun set at sea—dolphins and flying fish—first account of the yellow fever—arrival in the Delaware—on shore inthe Jerseys—Woodbury—melancholy visit to Philadelphia—arrival atAnnapolis
ANNAPOLIS—why so called—extract from the charter—situation—loss of thetrade—accounted for—Annapolitans partial to theatrical amusements—produce of Maryland—tobacco—wheat—new species of manure
JOURNEY TO THE CAPITAL—filial affection of the negroes—fried squirrelsand coffee—Baltimore—the mighty Susquana—intrepidity of a slave—howrewarded—Wilmington—Brandywine—grist mills—the battle—Chester—arrival at Philadelphia
TWO ANECDOTES—a gentleman blacksmith not ashamed of his origin—a highsheriff doing his duty
PHILADELPHIA—state of, in 1681—Penn's arrival in 1701—intended plan ofthe city—not observed—situation—advantages of exports—entries in 1793—buildings how constructed—houses removed intire—new theatre—pleasurecarriages—removal of the state government to Lancaster
MANNER OF LIVING OF THE PHILADELPHIANS—breakfast—dinner—supper—badeffects of such diet—relishes in stile at an American tea-garden
BACK SETTLER—arrives at his purchase—builds his huts—manner of clearingthe land—Indian corn—advantages of—the black and grey squirrels—attacked by the