The Convention was organized by the appointment of the following officers: President, Reuben H. Walworth, of the State of New York. Vice Presidents, Roberts Vaux, of Pennsylvania; John Tappan, of Massachusetts: Timothy Pitkin, of Connecticut; Peter D. Vroom, of New Jersey; Judge Hall, of Delaware; John C. Herbert, of Maryland; Col. Lumpkin, of Georgia; William A. M'Dowell, of South Carolina. Secretaries, Mark Doolittle, of Massachusetts; John Marsh, of Connecticut; John Wheelwright, of New York; Lyndon A. Smith of New Jersey; Isaac S. Loyd, of Pennsylvania; Judge Darling, of do.; Robert Breck enridge of Maryland; Daniel W. Lathrop, of Ohio. After supplication that the blessing of Almighty God might rest upon the labours of the Convention, and guide and direct it by his wisdom in all its deliberations, the Circular of the American Temperance Society calling the convention was read, setting forth the object for which it had assembled. The names of the members from each state were then called, exhibiting in all 401. Of whom 1 was from Maine, 5 from New Hampshire, 3 from Vermont, 21 from Massachusetts, 7 from Rhode Island, 15 from Connecticut, 65 from New York, 42 from New Jersey, 139 from Pennsylvania, 11 from Delaware, 24 from Maryland, 11 from Virginia, 4 from North Carolina, 1 from South Carolina, 3 from Georgia, 11 from Ohio, 11 from Kentucky, 3 from Tennessee, 4 from Indiana, 6 from the District of Columbia, 3 from Michigan, 1 from Illinois, 1 from Missouri, and 1 from Alabama. President. Resolved, That a committee be now appointed, whose duty it shall be to prepare and digest business for the Convention, and report such subjects as in their opinion ought to claim its attention. Resolved, That said committee consist of seven,Whereupon the following named gentlemen were appointed:-Justin Edwards, of Massachusetts; Amos Twitchell, of New Hampshire; Charles Griswold, of Connecticut; Edward C. Delavan, of New York; Gerritt Smith, of do.; Hugh Maxwell, of do.; S. K. Talmage, of Georgia. Resolved, That all motions be committed to writing and submitted without discussion to the committee to prepare business. Resolved, That members of Congressional and State Legislative Societies be invited to a seat as honorary members of the Convention. Resolved, That the deliberations of this body be each day opened with prayer. The standing committee reported the following resolution, which, after amendment, was adopted. Resolved, That the Convention meet each day during its session at 9 o'clock, A. M., adjourn at 1 o'clock P. M. and assemble again at half past 3 P. M. The committee to provide a place for the meetings of the Convention-Report, that they have obtained the Fifth Presbyterian church, in Arch above Tenth street, whereupon it was Resolved, That when this Convention adjourn, it ad. journ to meet at this place, whence it shall move in procession, headed by its officers, to the place designated by the committee. On motion adjourned. Afternoon.-The Convention organized at the appointed hour, and in pursuance of the resolution adopt. ed at the former session, proceeded to the Fifth Presbyterian church. The following resolutions reported by the standing committee were then considered and adopted with amendment. Resolved, That no member of the Convention be allowed to occupy more than ten minutes in the remarks he may make before the Convention at any one time, and that he shall not be allowed to speak more than twice, on any subject or question without in either case obtaining the unanimous consent of the Convention. Resolved, That notice be given in the Churches and newspapers of Philadelphia, that a Temperance meeting will be held in the city next Monday at half past 7 o'clock, P. M. for the general attendance of the citi zens and others. The standing committee reported a series of resolutions, the following of which were severally considered, and after some amendments, adopted. all men to abstain from the use of ardent spirit, and from 1. Resolved, That in our judgment it is the duty of the traffic in it. all who are acquainted with this subject, unite with 2. Resolved, That it is in our view expedient that Temperance Societies. tion the formation of the American Congressional Tem3. Resolved, That we regard with peculiar satisfacthat should similar societies be formed by the Legisla perance Society, and express our decided conviction tures of each State, they would greatly benefit our country and the world. 4. Resolved, That the regulation adopted by the National Government for discouraging the use of Ardent Spirit, in the Army and Navy of the United States, is a mark of wisdom and paternal care in the rulers of the people over the individuals employed in their service. 5. Resolved, That the abolition of the practice of furnishing merchant vessels with Ardent Spirit, or employing men who drink it to navigate them, would greatly promote the interests of the country. 6. Resolved, That Temperance Societies in all mechanical and manufacturing establishments, while they would promote the pecuniary interest of all concerned in them, would also in various ways promote the good of the public. 7. Resolved, That the formation of a Temperance Society in each ward of every city, and in each district of every county and town in the United States, would tend powerfully to complete, and to perpetuate the Temperance reformation. 8. Resolved, That each State Society be requested to take the direction of the temperance cause within its own limits, and to employ one or more permanent agents, to visit periodically every part of the State, and to devote their whole time and strength to the promo tion of this work. 9. Resolved, That each family in the United States be requested to furnish themselves with some temper ance publication. 10. Resolved, That the increase of temperance gro cers, public houses and steam-boats, in which Ardent Spirit is not furnished, is highly auspicious to the interest of our country, and that the friends of human hap piness by encouraging such establishments in all suitable ways, till they shall become universal, will perform an important service to mankind. 11. Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to all emigrants who contemplate removing in a body from who contemplate removing from one part of our own foreign countries to the United States, and also to those country to another, before their removal to form themselves into a Temperance Society. On motion, Resolved, That the committee of arrange ment appointed by the Pennsylvania State Temperance Society to provide for holding this Convention, be re quested to make suitable provision for the meeting to be Resolved, That the committee to prepare business, Resolved, That the reporters of the daily papers of this city be allowed a convenient place for the object in the Convention. stain from the use of it, they would render themselves still more eminently useful." 17. Resolved, That it is expedient that the friends of Temperance in all countries unite their counsels and their efforts to extend the principles of Temperance throughout the world. 18. Resolved, That the fundamental and highly salutary influence which the promotion of the cause of TemResolved, That the Sexton of this church be appoint-perance must have on the purity and permanence of cied doop-keeper to this Convention. On motion adjourned. SATURDAY, May 25th.-The Convention met at the stated hour, and was opened with prayer by Dr. Hewitt, of Connecticut. The minutes of the preceding day were read, and with some alterations, approved. On motion, Resolved, That the Secretaries have power to make such verbal corrections in the minutes and Resolutions, as will best express their meaning. The consideration of the remaining Resolutions reported by the committee at the former session was then resumed, and the following, after some amendments, adopted. 12. Resolved, That it be recommended to Temperance Societies and the friends of temperance of every description, to obtain as full and accurate statistics as possible, and embody them for the benefit of the community in their Annual Reports-to be communicated at the simultaneous meetings-especially on the following points, viz: What is the population? What number belong to Temperance Societies? How many have been added to them the past year? How many Groceries and how many Taverns in which How many continue to sell, and what quantity is now used? How many drunkards have been reformed? How many are now drunkards? How many distilleries have been stopped, and how many are now in operation? How many deaths is there reason to believe were caused by intemperance? vil institutions, demand for it the countenance and active co-operation of every real patriot. the intellectual elevation, the moral character, the so19. Resolved, That the influence of Temperance on cial happiness, and the future prospects of mankind, is and the united, vigorous and persevering efforts of all such as ought to obtain for it the cordial approbation the philanthropic and humane, of every class, age, sex and country. The committee further reported the following resolution which was adopted, 20. Resolved, That the associations of young men have been powerful auxiliaries to the Temperance cause, and should all the young men in the United States, and especially in the literary Institutions, unite in Temperance Societies, they would render themselves benefactors to our country and to the world. The committee reported a resolution setting forth the object to be attained by Temperance Societies, which was under discussion, when the time having arrived, the Convention adjourned. Afternoon. The Convention assembled at the appointed time-and resumed the consideration of the fol lowing resolution, reported by the committee at the former session-which, after deliberate examination, was unanimously adopted, 21. Resolved, That as the sole object, of the American Temperance Society and those numerous State, and other Temperance Societies, which have been formed in accordance with it, throughout our country, ever has heen, is now, and ever ought to be the promotion of Temperance, to this object alone all their efforts ought to be invariably and perseveringly directed. The committee reported the following resolutions, which were read and adopted, 22. Resolved, That the Medical Profession be reWhat proportion of pauperism and of crime is occa-quested to inquire whether substitutes for alcohol may sioned by strong drink? not be found, and its use be dispensed with in medical How many criminals were committed the past year | practice, and to give the results of their investigation to who drank no Ardent Spirit, and how many who did drink? the public. 23. Resolved, That the influence of the female sex 13. Resolved, That Temperance Societies and the in favour of the Temperance cause, has had a highly friends of Temperance throughout the country, be re-salutary effect upon all classes in the community, and quested to hold simultaneous meetings on the last Tuesday in February, 1834, to review what has been done during the past year, to consider what remains to be done, and to take such measures as may be suitable, by the universal diffusion of information and by kind moral influence, to extend and perpetuate the principles and the blessings of temperance, over our land. especially upon those who are the hope of future ge nerations, the children and youth, and that should the influence to which they are so justly entitled, be unitedly and universally exerted in favour of this cause, they would do much to perfect and to perpetuate the moral renovation of the whole human family. 24. Resolved, That as the question has arisen among 14. Resolved, That a correspondence be opened the friends of Temperance and Agricultural improvewith National Temperance Societies and friends of tem- ment,-What shall be done with surplus grains, providperance in other countries-for the purpose of procured they are not converted into Ardent Spirit? The ing as far as practicable, meetings, at the same time, for friends of human improvements be requested to investhe same purpose throughout the world. tigate this subject, and to present the results to the pub. lic through the medium of the press. 15. Resolved, That Editors of papers and other periodicals who from time to time publish information on the subject of temperance are rendering important service to the cause, and should all Editors adopt and pursue a similar course, they would render themselves the benefactors of mankind. of On motion, adjourned. MONDAY MORNING, May 27th.-At a stated hour the The minutes of the preceding day were read and ap- 16. Resolved, That the prompt and united testimony G. S. Hillard, of Massachusetts; Thomas P. Hunt, of North Carolina; Thomas H. Stockton, of Maryland; Lumpkin, of Georgia; Nathaniel Hewitt, of Connecticut. The standing committee reported the following resolution-which was adopted, Whereas, it has been announced that Henry Newman, a delegate to this body from the British and Foreign Temperance Society, has arrived in this country, and expected to be at the Convention, but is providentially prevented, therefore, Resolved, That we cordial. ly reciprocate the fraternal kindness manifested by the British Foreign Temperance Society in the appointment of the above mentioned delegate, and express our earnest desire and hope that the mutual confidence now subsisting between Temperance Societies in this and other countries may be perpetuated and increased, till intemperance and its evils shall have ceased, and Temperance, with all its attendant blessings, shall universally prevail. The President stated, that Stephen Van Renssalaer of the State of New York, had offered to defray the expense of publishing 100,000 copies of the proceedings of the Convention for gratuituous distribution-whereupon it was unanimously Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be presented to Stephen Van Renssalaer, of the city of Albany, and State of New York, for his liberality in proposing to defray the expenses of distributing 100,000 copies of the proceedings of this Convention. Resolved, That the President and Vice Presidents be a committee to communicate to S. V. R. the foregoing resolution. The standing committee reported the following resolution which was adopted, Resolved, That the formation within six years of more than 6,000 Temperance Societies, embracing more than a million of members, the relinquishment of the manufacture of Ardent Spirit by more than 2,000 distilleries, and of the sale of it by more than 5,000 merchants, the banishment of the poison from the United States Army, and to a great extent from the Navy, the sailing of more than 700 vessels in which Ardent Spirit is not used, the hitherto unparalleled exhibition of more than 5,000 drunkards within five years ceasing to use intoxicating drinks, and becoming-as all drunkards if they take this course, will-sober men, and many of them highly respectable and useful men-the uniform and universal progress of the Temperance Reformation, and wherever suitable means have been used for its advancement, are, it is believed, facts which call loudly for fervent gratitude to the Author of all good, and for united and persevering efforts on the part of its friends, to extend universally and to perpetuate the Temperance cause. A Resolution reported by the standing committee on the subject of a General Union, which was laid on the table at a former session, was now taken up, and on motion-Resolved, That the same be referred to a committee consisting of one member from each State represented in this body:-whereupon the following were appointed that committee, with instructions to sit immediately and report at the next session: Joseph C. Lovejoy, from Maine; Andrew Rankin, of New Hampshire; C. P. Walton, of Vermont; Mark Doolittle, of Massachusetts; Eli Ives, of Connecticut; Frederick A. Farley, of Rhode Island; John Wheelwright, of New York; McLane of New Jersey; Isaac S. Loyd, of Pennsylvania; Thomas J. Higgins, of Delaware; Christian Keener, of Maryland; W. R. Collier, District of Columbia; Ephraim Addon, of Virginia; Thomas P. Hunt, of North Carolina; Isaac W. Waddell, of South Carolina; S. K. Talmage, of Georgia; R. H. Bull, of Kentucky; John Seaward, of Ohio; Robert H. Chapman, of Tennessee; Peter Donan, of Missouri; N. M. Welles, of Indiana; Enoch Kinsbury, of Illinois; E. C. Trowbridge, of Michigan; Wm. T. Brantley, of Alabama. The standing committee reported a resolution which was under discussion till the hour for adjournment, when on motion the Convention adjourned. Afternoon.-The Convention met at the stated hour; and again took up the resolution which was before it at the former session-which was adopted as follows: Resolved, That in the opinion of this Convention, the traffic in Ardent Spirit as a drink, and the use of it as such, are morally wrong, and ought to be abandoned throughout the world. The committee to whom was referred the resolution on the subject of a General Union--Reported, That they had unanimously agreed to recommend the adop tion of the Resolution, as reported by the standing committee, which was under consideration, when on motion the Convention adjourned-to meet at the Hall of the Musical Fund Society this evening, at a quarter before 8 o'clock, in order to lay before the public, who have been invited to assemble there-a brief history of the progress of the Temperance cause. Evening.-At the time adjourned to, the Convention assembled at the place appointed-when G. S. Hillard, of Massachusetts, Thomas P. Hunt, of North Carolina, Thomas H. Stockton, of Maryland, and Nathaniel Hewitt, of Connecticut,-presented to the very large and attentive audience that had assembled, a brief but impressive history of the Temperance cause, together with an exposition of the principles on which it is established. After an appeal to the Female part of the assembly, by the President, the Convention proceeded to business, the Standing Committee reported that they had no further matter to lay before the Convention-whereupon it was Resolved, That the Standing Committee be now discharged. On motion Resolved, That the thanks of the Convention be presented to the Standing Committee, for ed to them by the Convention. the faithful and prompt discharge of the duties entrust Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of this Convention be presented to its President, Reuben H. Walworth, for the dignified, impartial and very acceptable manner in which he has presided over its deliberations. The President here expressed his grateful sense of this acknowledgment on the part of the Convention, and his satisfaction in having presided over its deliberations, when he withdrew.-Roberts Vaux, Vice Presi dent, from Pennsylvania, took the Chair. The Resolution reported by the Standing Committee and approved by the committee from each State, was then taken up, and after amendment adopted, as follows: Resolved, That the officers of the American Temperance Society, and of the several State Societies, are hereby requested to act as a United States Temperance Society, to hold mutual consultations, and to take all suitable measures to carry into effect the objects of this Convention, to embody public sentiment, and by the universal diffusion of information and the exertion of kind moral influence-to extend the principles and blessings of the Temperance Reformation throughout our country and throughout the world. On motion, Resolved, That the vital interests and complete success of the Temperance cause, demand that in all the efforts of the friends of that cause against the use of Ardent Spirits, no substitute except pure water be recommended as a drink. On motion, Resolved, That the thanks of this Conven. tion be presented to the Select and Common Councils of the city of Philadelphia, for their kindness and liberality in granting to it the use of the Hall of Independence. On motion, Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be presented to the Trustees and Congregation of the Fifth Presbyterian Church, for the use of their be looked upon in the light of a public benefactor. Be- The Convention then adjourned sine die. From the Commercial Herald. SKETCHES OF PENNSYLVANIA. No. 3. We stopped on Thursday at Downingstown. This is a pleasant, and thriving village, owing its prosperity to its position in the heart of Chester valley, and to the water-power of the Big Brandywine upon which it is situated. It extends for about half a mile on both sides of the Lancaster turnpike which passes the creek by a substantial stone bridge. The houses are built of limestone, generally rough cast, or pebble-dashed, and have universally the appearance of neatness and comfort. Several mills and factories are located on the creek, and it contains a number of stores and taverns. The turnpike crosses the Big Brandywine at the west end of the village by a substantial stone bridge of several arches. Just across the bridge another important turnpike begins, leading by the shortest route to Harrisburg. This road passes in about a northwest course to Waynesburg, in Chester county, then enters Lancaster county, and traversing its north-eastern section, passes Hinkletown and Euphrata-next cuts the northwest corner of Lebanon county, and entering Dauphin, unites with the turnpike from Harrisburg to Reading at Hummelstown on the Swatara. From Downingstown to Harrisburg by this route is sixty-seven miles according to the finger post. By the way of Lancaster, Mountjoy and Middletown, the distance between the same points is about seventy-three miles. The difference of distance is, however, more than made up by the advantageous location of the latter road. The Euphrata turnpike is too hilly for rapid travelling, and it is therefore used, principally by loaded wagons, to which by lighter tolls it offers some inducement. a just celebrity. It is to such men all countries owe their independence, and strength, and prosperity. The flourishing city of Wilmington is the product of the water of the Brandywine. On the Big Brandywine, four miles above Downingstown, is Mary Anne Forge, where iron is extensively manufactured. The two branches of the Brandywine unite about eight miles below Downingstown; and some two miles below the forks is the famous battle ground-if the affair of the 11th September, 1777, may be called a battle, when it was in truth nothing beyond a surprise, and a rout. We go back to Downingstown, and leaving it, travel on the Rail Road, now occupying the surface of the valley, and undulating occasionally as that surface requires, in a direction a little south of west, for a distance of eight miles, to Coatesville, where we cross the west branch, or Little Brandywine, by a viaduct 850 feet long, with piers 73 feet high above the water. This is indeed a stupendous structure. Its western abutment touches a projecting part of the North Valley Hill, which the Rail Road immediately ascends with the maximum grade of 28 feet in the mile. The scenery at this point has in it much of the sublime, as well as the beautiful. The Brandywine has just passed the North Hill, through a rude chasm, which seems to have been made by the force of the waters. Coatesville is a thriving and neat village, apparently containing about 60 houses. Within the last three years, it has increased rapidly, and put on an air of prosperity, and business, which promise to make it an important place. Ascending the North Valley Hill, the rail road and Lancaster turnpike lie side by side, for a short distance. They soon separate, however: the latter boldly climbing the hill, the former creeping gradually up its side. Ă heavy embankment, succeeded by a formidable deep cut, mark the scite of the rail road, immediately west of the Little Brandywine. The rail road continues to ascend the North Valley There is probably no stream of its size on the conti-Hill, crossing the head waters of Buck run, (a noble nent whose water power has contributed more to the mill stream,) and of Octorara, (a branch of the Susquewealth and comfort of the country, than the Brandy-hanna, emptying above Port Deposit,) until it reaches wine. From its source to its mouth, on both its branches its summit about the point of its junction with the Mine it is studded with mills and factories to which a popu- Ridge, of which it seems to be a spur. In the Mine lons and fertile country gives abundant employment. Ridge, near this point, at the head of a small branch Our imperfect knowledge enables us to enumerate about of the Octorara, is a remarkable gap, or indentation, twenty mills on the Big, and fifteen on the Little Bran- which lessens its elevation by about one-half. This gap dywine. Below the forks the hydraulic advantages are is the locality selected for passing the Ridge, and it still greater, and the manufactures more important. constitutes the second and last important summit beAmong these we would name that great one for the tween the Delaware and the Susquehanna. manufacture of Gunpowder owned by E. I. Dupont, The distance from Coatesville to the gap is something Esq. We had heard much of the fruits of Mr. Dupont's more than thirteen miles, of which ten miles have an enterprise, and knew how universally and deservedly ascending gradation as you proceed westward, at the sought after was his powder, but had no conception of rate of about twenty-eight feet in the mile. The elevathe extent of the works, nor how wild, and romantic, tion of the gap above tide water is five hundred and and beautiful is the country in which they are located, ninety-two feet. This is reduced by a deep cut of until we made him a passing visit. Our limits forbid a thirty-seven feet, so that the surface of the rail-road is description in detail. One thing deserves notice, how-five hundred and fifty-five feet above tide, or eight feet ever, as it has been the fruit of dear-bought and bitter above its level on the summit near the Warren. experience. For some time the amount of powder in a building, produced at several successive explosions a great waste of labor and of life. The remedy has been found to lie in multiplying the mills for grinding, glaz. ing, &c., and setting them so far apart as to confine the explosion to the mill in which it may take place. This multiplication of buildings gives to the bank of the stream, for a considerable extent, the appearance of a town; and the fine mason work, and bridges, &c. would justify the conclusion that they had been the work of some rich borough, under the direction of some prosperous, and public spirited corporation. A manufacturer of so much skill and probity, of an article so important to the defence of our country, may This deep cut, which occurs very near the Gap ta- An observant traveller, passing from the Atlantic to has an increased elevation, until you arrive at the great range, worthy of the name of a mountain, known in Alleghany mountain-the last of the series from which Pennsylvania as the Conewago and Lehigh Hills, and in you descend into the great basin of the Mississippi. Virginia as the Blue Ridge. We adopt the latter name, They are marked by distinct geological features, exert with a caution not to confound it with the Blue Mouna decided influence upon the character of the country, tain or Kittatiny, of which we shall have occasion to and of the streams; and govern, in an important degree, speak at a future period. No mountain range in the the course of all roads and improvements. A general United States is more distinctly marked, or more uniknowledge, therefore, of the great mountain ranges, is form in its general course, than the Blue Ridge. It indispensable to a tolerable acquaintance with the geo. crosses the Delaware below Easton, and follows the graphy, the resources, and connexions of the interior. south bank of the Lehigh to near Allentown; then passThe Mine Ridge, (as it is here called,) is the first of ing through Lehigh and Berks counties, crosses the the great ranges which can be distinctly traced, though Schuylkill just below Reading, to the Susquehanna bethe hills farther east show a decided conformity to the low Middletown, forming the Conewago Falls in that general plan. It bears various names in different sec- river; thence between Cumberland and York, and Cum. tions of the country, and is of various elevation, some-berland and Adams, to the southern angle of Cumbertimes almost disappearing, and then rising again abrupt- land county, where its course is changed from southly to a considerable height. Under the name of the west to due south. It next forms the boundary between Welsh mountain, it forms for a short distance the boun- Adams and Cumberland, till it crosses the Maryland dary between Chester and Lancaster, and afterwards line. Through Maryland its southerly course is contin between Chester and Berks. Pursuing a north-east ued between Frederick and Washington counties to the direction, it crosses the Schuylkill a little above Potts- Potomac, which breaks abruptly through it, forming grove, and the Delaware near the mouth of Durham the celebrated pass of Harper's Ferry. In Virginia, creek. From the Delaware, eastward, it is rather diffi. this mountain resumes its general south-western course, cult to trace its course as it there approaches very near, which is continued through North Carolina and into and is perhaps lost in the second great chain, known in Georgia; where it is finally lost near the head waters of Pennsylvania as the Conewago, and Lehigh Hill, and in the Chattahoochee. After leaving Pennsylvania on the Virginia as the Blue Ridge. Darby, who paid great north-east, it passes through Warren and Sussex counattention to this subject, thinks he has ascertained its ties in New Jersey, into New York, and reaches the course through the northern part of New Jersey, and Hudson at West Point. Orange county, in New York, till it forms the celebrat. We have been thus particular in describing the course ed highlands of the Hudson at West Point. The more of the Blue Ridge, because it forms one of the most regenerally received opinion, however, assigns the high-markable geographical features of the country, and is lands of the North river to the second great chain, of which we shall speak hereafter. equally important in a geological point of view. As an evidence how distinct this range is, it may be observed, From the gap, the Mine Ridge is traced with less dif- that from the Susquehanna to the north-west angle of ficulty in its course to the south-west. It passes between South Carolina, a distance of more than 500 miles, its the head waters of the Pequea and Octorara, and cross-general south western course, it every where forms a es the Susquehanna into York county-thence through line of demarkation between counties. Hartford, Baltimore, Anne Arundel, and Montgomery counties, of Maryland to the Potomac, where it forms the falls twelve miles above Georgetown in the District of Columbia, and enters Fairfax county in Virginia. Its further progress may be distinctly traced through Virginia, and North Carolina, and probably still further south. When we leave our position at the gap, we shall descend into the Pequea valley; the second great limestone formation of the state, and one requiring more notice than we have room for in the present number. No. 4. The Gap of the Mine Ridge, through which the railroad passes, is about two miles south of the Lancaster Turnpike. Its distance from the Susquehanna, by way of the rail road, is 29 miles; and from the Schuylkill at Peter's Island 49 miles. The Wilmington turnpike passes through the same Gap, uniting with the Lancaster turnpike, three miles further on at Slaymaker's tavern at Salisbury. From the Gap summit the rail road descends along the side slope of Mine Ridge, into the Great Lancaster or Pequea Valley. Seven miles from the Gap, it crosses Pequea creek, by a viaduct 145 feet long, and 18 feet high. For nearly all this distance, the graduation is descending at the rate of about 30 feet in the mile. At this bridge, therefore, it may be considered as having attained the general level of the Lancaster valley in which it continues, conforming to the undulations of the ground all the way to Columbia. The Lancaster and Pequea valley is an extensive range of rich and productive country, the basis of which is transition limestone, passing through the state in a general direction from north-east to south-west. Its southeastern boundary is the Mine Ridge, which we have just passed, and whose course we have endeavored to describe. On the north-west, it is bounded by a lofty Under this mountain, and between it and the Mine Ridge, whose course we described in our last number, lies a range of fertile country which we call by the general name of the Pequea Valley. Its breadth is from 15 to 20 miles-and it includes the most valuable land in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and North Caroli na. The Lancaster turnpike follows this valley from Slaymaker's westward to Lancaster. The turnpike between Lancaster and Harrisburg, crosses it nearly at right angles, and leaves it at Elizabethtown, 18 miles from Lancaster. The Conestoga, Pequea, and Chiques branches of the Susquehanna and the Monacasy,a branch of the Potomac, have a great part of their course in this valley. It includes a large portion of the counties of Lancaster, Berks, Lehigh, York, and Adams, in Pennsylvania; of Frederick in Maryland;, and of Loudon, Farquier, Culpepper, Madison, Orange, Albemarle, Nelson, Amhurst, Bedford, Franklin, and Patrick, in Virginia. It contains also the towns of Lancaster, Columbia, Mountjoy, Marietta, York, Gettysburg, in Pennsylvania; Fredericktown in Maryland; and Leesburg, Barboursville, Charlottesville, and Lynchburg, in Virginia. We have said that the range of country is a limestone formation. To the presence of that invaluable material, it owes its fertility and agricultural wealth. The lime. stone disappears as you ascend the boundary hills in all places where the ground rises considerably above the general level. That portion of the county of Lancas ter which it embraces, may be regarded as the most valuable land for agricultural purposes in Pennsylvania. In absolute fertility it is equalled, perhaps surpassed, by the Kittatiny Valley and by the fine alluvial bottoms on the west branch of the Susquehanna. But its per fect state of cultivation, and its proximity to a market, give it a decided advantage. of The term valley, as applied to the great range country lying under the Blue Ridge, is not strictly cor rect. A bird's eye examination from one of the boun |