sey, and proceeding in a N. E. direction, cross Hudson river between 40 and 60 miles from its mouth, and then passing through Dutchess, Columbia and Rensselaer counties, join the Taghkannuc range on the western border of Massachusetts. At the place where they cross Hudson river they are about 16 miles in width, and are called the Highlands. Several of the summits are here from 1,200 to 1,500 feet high, but there is no obstruction to the navigation of the river.

From the Highlands a range proceeds in a northerly direction, along the west bank of the Hudson, through the county of Ulster, into Green county, where it is known under the name of the Catskill mountains. These mountains are the highest land in the state. Roundtop, the highest summit, according to the measurement of Capt. Partridge, is 3,804 feet above the level of the sea. High peak, the next highest, is 3,718 feet above the sea. summits are about 20 miles west of the city of Hudson. From the Catskill mountains a ridge of hills proceeds in a N. W. direction across Mohawk river, where it forms the Little Falls; after which it continues its progress, diminishing in altitude, till it crosses the St. Lawrence into Canada.

These

The mountains in the northern part of the state, which lie around the sources of the Hudson, and form the height of land between the waters of lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence, are called the Peruvian mountains. The highest part of the range is in Essex county; Whiteface, in the town of Jay, commands a view of Montreal, 80 miles distant, and is supposed to be 3,000 feet above the level of the sea.

Lakes Lakes Erie, Ontario, and Champlain lie partly in this state. Lake George is a beautiful lake, 36 miles long and about 2 broad, between Washington and Warren counties. It lies south of lake Champlain, and communicates with it by an outlet 3 miles long, in which distance the water descends nearly 100 feet. The lake is surrounded by high mountains, and is much celebrated for the romantic beauty of its scenery. The water is deep, remarkably transparent, and abounds with the finest fish. Lake George was for a long time conspicuous in the wars of this country, and several memorable battles were fought on its borders.

Oneida lake, which lies chiefly in the county of Oneida, is 20 miles long, and on an average 3 broad. It receives Wood creek at its east end, and discharges itself through Oswego river into lake Ontario. There is a chain of small lakes lying south of Seneca river and communicating with it. The following are their names, beginning in the east; 1. Onondaga or Salt lake, in the county of the same name, is only 6 miles long and 1 broad; but on its borders are the celebrated salt springs, the largest and strongest in America. It discharges itself at its northern extremity into Seneca river. 2. Skeneateles, 15 miles long, also discharges its waters into Seneca river, through an outlet 10 miles long. 3. Owasco lake, in Cayuga county, is 11 miles long and communicates through Owasco creek with Seneca river. 4. Cayuga laks, lying between Cayuga and Seneca counties, is 40 miles long

It receives the waters of Seneca lake through Seneca river, which enters it at its northern extremity, and soon after issues from it again, forming the outlet of its waters. 5. Seneca lake lies west of Cayuga lake, and nearly parallel with it, at the distance of from 6 to 15 miles. It is 35 miles long and from 2 to 4 broad. It receives the waters of Crooked lake from the west, and discharges itself at its northern extremity through Seneca river into Cayuga lake. 6. Crooked lake is about 18 miles long. and communicates through an outlet at its N. E. extremity with Seneca lake. 7. Canandaigua lake is a beautiful collection of water about 14 miles long and on an average one broad. It communicates with Seneca river through Canandaigua river, which issues from the northern extremity of the lake.

Rivers.] Delaware river forms part of the boundary between this state and Pennsylvania. Niagara river connects lake Erie with lake Ontario, and forms part of the western boundary. The St. Lawrence separates New-York from Upper Canada. East river is the name given to a short strait, which connects Long-Island sound with New-York harbor.

Hudson river, the great river of this state, and one of the best for navigation in America, rises in the mountainous region between lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence, and pursuing a southerly course of more than 300 miles, falls into the Atlantic below New-York city. It is navigable for ships to Hudson; for large sloops to Albany, 160 miles from New-York; and for small sloops to Trov, at the head of the tide, 6 miles further. The passage of this river through the Highlands without any impediment to its navigation is a singular fact in Geography. The Highlands are about 16 miles wide, and are celebrated for their romantic scenery.

The Mohawk, the great western branch of the Hudson, rises in Oneida county, and running south of east, passes by Rome, Utica and Schenectady, and discharges itself into the Hudson through several mouths, between Troy and Waterford, after a course of about 135 miles. The navigation of the river is interrupted by numerous rapids and falls, the principal of which is the Cahoes, two miles from its mouth. The river, which is here between 300 and 400 yards broad, descends, at high water, in one sheet, to the depth of 70 feet. About three fourths of a mile below, a bridge has been thrown across the Mohawk, from which the view of the falls is inexpressibly grand.

The principal river which falls into lake Champlain is the Saranac, which discharges itself at Plattsburg, after a northeasterly course of about 65 miles.

The principal rivers which fall into the St. Lawrence from this state are, the St. Regis, Grass and Racket rivers, all of which discharge themselves near the village of St. Regis, on the northern boundary of the state; and the Orwegatchie, which empties itself at Ogdensburg after a course of 120 miles.

The following are the principal rivers which fall into lake Ontario. 1. Black river rises in the high lands northeast of Rome,

and after a northerly course discharges itself into Hungry bay Dear Sacket's harbor. 2. Oswego river forms the outlet of Oneida lake, and is 42 miles long. Its principal tributary is Seneca river, which issues from the north end of Seneca lake, and running east enters Cayuga lake, but almost immediately leaves it again, and after receiving the waters of Canandaigua, Owasco, Skeneateles and Onondaga lakes, discharges itself into the Oswego at Three river point, 24 miles from lake Ontario. 3. Genesee river rises in Pennsylvania, and running in a northerly direction across the western part of this state, discharges itself into lake Ontario. At Rochester, a few miles from its mouth, there are two falls, one of 96 and the other of 75 feet. About 70 miles above Rochester there are two other falls, only a mile apart, one of which is 60 and the other 90 feet.

Tonnewanta creek rises in Genesee county, and after a westerly course of 90 miles through the Tonne wanta valley, discharges itself into Niagara river about 12 miles from lake Erie. It is a deep sluggish stream, boatable 30 miles.-The Susquehannah rises in Otsego lake, in the county of the same name, and runs in a Southwesterly direction into Pennsylvania. Its principal tributaries from this state are, the Chenango, which rises in Madison county, and flowing south through the counties of Chenango and Broome, joins the Susquehannah 18 miles east of Oswego, after a course of 90 miles; and the Tioga, which rises in Pennsylvania, and running N. E. into this state receives the Conhocton at Painted post, and then turning to the S. E. re-enters Pennsylvania, and meets the Susquehannah at Tioga point, 3 miles from the boundary line.

Niagara Falls.] The falls in Niagara river are one of the grandest curiosities on the globe. The river flows from south to north, and is 35 miles long. At its efflux from lake Erie it is three quarters of a mile wide, from 40 to 60 feet deep, and flows with a current of 7 miles an hour. As it proceeds, the river widens, and embosoms several considerable islands, particularly Grand and Navy islands, which terminate in beautiful points a mile and a balf above the falls. A little below the termination of these islands, commence the rapids, which extend a mile, to the precipice, in which space the river descends 57 feet. At the precipice it is three fourths of a mile wide. Here Goat island divides the river into two channels; and the channel between Goat island and the eastern or United States' shore, is also divided by a small island. Over the precipice the river fails perpendicularly about 160 feet. Much the greater part of the water passes in the channel between Goat island and the Canada shore, and this fall is called from its shape the Horse-shoe fall. Between Goat island and the small island in the eastern channel, the stream is only 2 or 10 yards wide, forming a beautiful cascade. Between this small island and the United States' shore the sheet of water is broad, and the descent is greater by a few feet than at the Horse-shoe fall, but the stream is comparatively shallow.

The falls are seen to advantage from different positions. The best single view is that from the Table rock on the Canada side

of the river; and the best view of the rapids is from Goat island, which is ingeniously connected by a bridge with the eastern shore. The view from the river below is the most entire. Below the falls the river runs between perpendicular banks, 300 feet high, to Queenstown, 7 miles; thence to lake Ontario the country is open.

Soil and Productions.] The eastern half of Long island is sandy and barren; the western part is fertile, and in a high state of cultivation. The country on the Hudson, below the mouth of the Mohawk, has a good soil, particularly the counties of West Chester and Dutchess, which are under very good cultivation. The alluvial flats of Columbia county and some parts of Rensselaer are very extensive and rich. A district west of Albany, comprising several counties, consists of sandy plains interspersed with marshes. The alluvial flats on the Mohawk are extensive and very fertile. The country north of the Mohawk is less ac curately known, but many parts of it are fertile, particularly the lands on Black river, which are among the best in the state. The vast elevated plain which covers the western part of the state, and includes the country occupied by the small lakes, has a rich soil, equally well adapted to grain and grass. The alluvial flats are here extensive; those on Genesee river include about 60,000 acres. Wheat is raised in this state in greater abundance than all other grains. Indian corn, rye, oats, flax, and hemp, are also extensively cultivated.

Minerals.] Iron ore is found in many parts of the state of an excellent quality and in inexhaustable quantities. There are indications of the abundant existence of coal in the western parts of the state. Lime, marble, lead, marl, flint, gypsum, slate for building, clays for manufacturing, and ochres of various kinds, have been discovered in great quantities. Salt springs exist in Cayuga, Seneca, Ontario and Genesee counties, but the principal salt works are in Onondaga county, at the village of Salina, situated on the S. E side of Onondaga lake. Every gallon of water here yields from 16 to 27 ounces of salt, being much stronger than any other salt springs in the United States. The quantity of salt manufactured in 1811 in Onondaga county was 453,840 bushels, and it may be increased to any extent.

Mineral springs.] The celebrated mineral springs of Saratoga are spread over a tract of about 12 miles in length in Saratoga county, and are called by a variety of local names. The most noted are those at the villages of Ballston and Saratoga, which are superior to any other in America. The names of the principal springs in Saratoga, are Rock spring, Congress spring and Columbia spring. These springs afford relief in many obstinate diseases, and during the summer months, are the resort of the gay and fashionable, as well as of invalids, from all parts of the United States. Large houses of entertainment, with neat bathing houses, are erected for the convenience of visitors.

Chief Towns.] NEW-YORK, the first commercial city in America, is on Manhattan island, at the confluence of Hudson and East rivers, in lat. 40° 42′ N. 90 miles N. E. of Philadelphia and 210 S.

W. of Boston. The island is 15 miles long, and on an average 11 broad, and is separated from New-Jersey by the Hudson; from the continental part of New-York by Haarlem creek; and from Long island, by East river.

The compact part of the city is at the south end of the island, and extends along the Hudson about 2 miles; and from the Battery, in the S. W. corner, along East river, nearly 4 miles. Its circuit is about 8 miles. The streets of the ancient part, at the south end of the city, are frequently narrow and crooked, but all the northern part has been recently laid out, and with much better The principal street is Broadway, which is 80 feet wide, and extends from the Battery in a N. E. direction, through the centre of the city, for three miles. It is generally well built, and a part of it is splendid. The houses in the city generally, were formerly of wood, but these are fast disappearing, and substantial brick houses, with slated roofs, are rising in their place.

It

Among the public buildings the most prominent is the City Hall, which is the most beautiful edifice in the United States. is 216 feet long, 106 broad, and, including the attic story, 56 high. The front and both ends above the basement story, are built of white marble. The expense was $500,000. It is occupied by the city council in their meetings, and by the different courts of law. The New-York Hospital comprises the Hospital for the reception of the sick and disabled, the lunatic asylum, and the lying in hospital. The annual expenditure is about $10,000. During the year 1819, 1,725 patients were admitted, of whom 1,320 were cured. The Alms House is a plain stone structure recently erected on East river, 2 miles from the City Hall. It is 3 stories high 330 feet long and 50 wide. The expense, including the work house, penitentiary, and other buildings connected with it was $418,791. The number of poor in this institution for the the year 1816 was 1,487 and the expense of the establishment $90,886. The State prison is on the Hudson, at Greenwich, about 11⁄2 mile from the City Hall. It is constructed of free stone. The number of prisoners in 1819 was 604. The original cost of the establishment was $208,846, and large sums have been voted by the legislature to defray the annual expenses. The New-York Institution is near the City Hall, and its apartments are occupied by the literary and philosophical society; the historical society, which has a library of about 5,000 volumes, and a permanent fund of $12,000; the American academy of Fine Arts, which has a valuable collection of paintings and statues; the Lyceum of natural history; and the American museum.

Among the other institutions are a theatre, Vauxhall and other public gardens, an orphan asylum, an asylum for the deaf and dumb, 11 banks, 11 insurance companies, numerous benevolent and charitable institutions, and 57 houses for public worship, viz. 18 for the different classes of Presbyterians, 12 for Episcopalians, 8 for Methodists, 6 for Baptists, 3 for Friends, 2 for Roman Cath olice, and one each for German Lutherans, German Calvinists,