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xvi JOURNEY FROM

not unfrequently seen alligators, but now they entirely dis-
appeared. We now found the cottages comfortably furnished,
and surrounded by small gardens ; the inhabitants possess
numerous hogs and cattle. We passed serveral respectable
dwellings, with luxuriant orchards and vineyards, that an-
nounced our approach to a more cultivated and richer popula-
tion than we had before seen.
When within a mile of Cincinnati; the elegant house and
extensive estate, called Elmwood, the residence of Thomas
D. Carneal, Esq. was pointed out to me, by a gentleman of the
country, as one of the finest residences in that part of America.
Passing the powder-works, and the bridge over the Deer
creek, a few minuted brought us opposite the city, where we
saw the glass-houses, paper-mills, foundries, and other demon-
strations of a flourishing, and rising commercial and manufac-
turing city. It was Easter Sunday, and the landing was
crowded with respectable, well-dressed people. We had only a
minute to view the front of this part of the city, with the steam-
boat landing, and the villages of Newport and Cavington on
the opposite side, befor we were landed, and introduced to
Col. Mack, proprietor of the principal hotel ; an establishment
of order, regularity, and comfort, that would do credit to any
city of Europe. The number and respectability of its guests,
proved at once, the estimation in which it was held in the
country. The dinner-bell summoned us at two o'clock, and
we found an assemblage of about seventy ladies and gentle-
men ; the former at the head of the table, with Mrs. Mack,
while the colonel was on his feet, attending to the wants of
his guests, and seeing that the waiters were attending to
their duty. The dinner was such, that an epicure, from
whatever part of the world he might have arrived, would have
had little cause to complain, as in no part of my travels have I
seen a table spread with more profusion, or better served ;
the only occasion of complaint with an Englishman would
arise from the wnat of warm plates, and a little more time
to have enjoyed the repast, twenty minutes only being
allowed by the industrious habits of this part of America,
for their principal meal. Little wine is used at the dinner-
table ; the guests, being principally merchants, who prefer this
mode of living, to housekeeping, return immediately to their
stores, or counting-houses, with a better relish for business
than is usually found after the enjoyment of the bottle. I
should have stated, that, befor dinner, we underweent the un-