execution. The great object is to shorten the voyage between Boston and the southern ports, and to avoid the dangerous navigation around cape Cod, which has heretofore occasioned the destruction of much property and many lives.

Chief Towns.] BOSTON, the capital of the state, and the larg est town in New-England, is pleasantly situated at the bottom of Massachusetts bay, on a peninsula of an uneven surface, 2 miles long, and in the widest part about one mile wide. The harbor is one of the best in the United States. It has sufficient depth of water for the largest vessels at all times of tide, and is accessible at all seasons of the year. It is safe from every wind, and so capacious that it will allow 500 vessels to ride at anchor, while the entrance je so narrow as scarcely to admit two ships abreast. The entrance is well defended by Fort Independence and Fort Warren.

There are four bridges connecting Boston with the adjacent towns. Charles river bridge, which connects it with Charlestown on the north, is 1503 feet long, 42 broad, and stands on 75 piers. West Boston bridge, connecting it with Cambridgeport on the west, is 3,483 feet long, and stands on 180 piers. Cragie's bridge is between these two, and connects it with Cambridge. A mill-dam,nearly two miles long and 50 feet wide,was completed in 1821 across the bay on the S. W. side of the city, at an expense of about $500,000. The object of it is to open a new avenne, and also to create a water power sufficient to put in operation extensive tide mills and other water works.

The houses in the older part of the city are plain, and the streets generally narrow and crooked, but in West Boston and in several streets recently laid out, the private buildings are more splendid than in any other city in the United States. In 1817 there was erected on each side of Market street, a block of brick stores more than 400 feet in length, and 4 stories high; and on Central wharf, another immense pile of buildings was completed the same year, 1,240 feet long and containing 54 stores 4 stories high.

Among the public buildings are the State house, which is built on elevated ground, and commands a fine view of the surrounding country; the new court house, built of stone, at an expense of $92,000; Faneuil hall, where all town meetings are held; a theatre; an almshouse; a custom-house; and 28 places for public worship, 11 of which are for Congregationalists, 4 for Episcopalians, 4 for Baptists, 2 for Methodists, 3 for Universalists, for Roman Catholics, 1 for Friends à new Jerusalem church, and the seamen's chapel.

Among the literary institutions are the Boston Athenæum, which contains about 18,000 volumes; the Boston library, which has 5 or 6,000, and several other libraries belonging to literary soci eties. Among the benevolent institutions are the Geneal Hospital founded in 1818, which has been richly endowed by the lib erality of the state and of individuals; and a Hospital for the Insane, the buildings of which are situated in Charlestown. Boston is very extensively engaged in commerce. There are probably few cities in the world where there is so much walth

in proportion to the population. The amount of shipping owned here in 1815 was 143,420 tons; a greater amount than belonged to any other port in the United States, except New-York. The country in the immediate vicinity is fertile and populous, and connected with the capital by fine roads, while the Middlesex canal opens a water communication with the interior of NewHampshire. The population of Boston in 1800 was 24,937; in 1810, 33,250; and in 1820, 43,298. The inhabitants have long been celebrated for their enterprise and intelligence, and for the liberality with which they support religious, literary and humane institutions.

The country around Boston is the admiration of every traveller of taste. The view from the dome of the State house surpasses any thing of the kind in this country, and is not excelled by that from the castle hill of Edinburgh, or that of the bay of Naples from the castle of St. Elmo. Here may be seen at one view, the shipping, the harbor variegated with islands and alive with business; Charles river and its beautiful country ornamented with elegant country seats; and more than 20 flourishing towns. The hills are finely cultivated, aud rounded by the hand of nature with singular felicity.

Salem, the second town in New-England in commerce, wealth, and population, is built on a low peninsula, formed by two small inlets of the sea, called North and South rivers; over the former of which is a bridge 1,500 feet long, connecting the town with Beverly: the other separates it from Marblehead, and forms the principal harbor. The harbor is so shallow that vessels drawing more than 12 feet water must load and unload at a distance from the wharves.

The streets are crooked, and the houses are generally built of wood, but many of those recently erected are handsome edifices of brick. Among the public buildings are a court house, almshouse, market house, 3 banks, a museum belonging to the EastIndia Marine society, an athenæum containing more than 5,000 volumes, an orphan asylum, and 11 houses of public worship, 6 for Congregationalists, 2 for Baptists, 1 for Episcopalians, 1 for Friends, and 1 for Universalists.

The commerce of Salem is extensive. In 1816, it was the sixth town in the United States in amount of shipping, the number of tons being 34,454, of which nearly one half was employed in the India trade. This trade has been prosecuted with great spirit and success for many years, and has been a source of much wealth to the town. A society composed of masters and supercargoes of vessels who have sailed round the cape of Good Hope or cape Horn, was incorporated in 1801, and now consists of abent 160 members. A museum belongs to the society, composed of curiosities from all parts of the world, and is visited by strangers without expense. The inhabitants of Salein are celebrated for enterprise, industry and true republican economy. It is the oldest town in Massachusetts, except Plymouth, having been settled in 1626. The population in 1820 was 12,781.

Newburyport, the third town in the state in population and commerce, is situated on the south bank of Merrimack river, 3 miles from its mouth, and 24 miles north of Salem. It is one of the

handsomest towns in the United States, the site being a beautiful declivity, the houses neatly built, and the streets wide and intersecting each other nearly at right angles. Among the public buildings are 2 banks; and 7 houses for public worship, 3 for Congregationalists, 2 for Presbyterians, 1 for Episcopalians and 1 for Baptists.

In 1815 Newburyport was the 10th town in the United States in amount of shipping. The number of tons was 24,922, employed partly in the coasting trade and fisheries and partly in the trade to the West Indies, Europe and the East Indies. The town is well situated for ship building, having the advantage of receiving lumber from the interior by Merrimack river. harbor is deep, safe and capacious, but difficult to enter. town suffered severely by the restrictions on commerce previous to the late war, and by fire in 1811. It has not yet fully recovered from these misfortunes. Population in 1810, 7,634; in 1820,

6852.

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Gloucester is situated on the peninsula of Cape Ann, at the northern extremity of Massachusetts bay, 16 miles N. E. of Salem. It is one of the most considerable fishing towns in the Commonwealth. The amount of shipping owned here in 1815 was 11,080 tons. Population in 1820, 6,384. On the S. E. side of the town is Thatcher's island, on which are two light-houses.

Beverly lies directly north of Salem, and is connected with it by a bridge 1,500 feet in length. It has considerable trade, and the inhabitants are extensively engaged in the fisheries. Population, in 1820, 4,283.

Marblehead is on a peninsula, 16 miles N. E. of Boston and 4! S. E. of Salem. It is more extensively engaged in the bank fisheries than any other town in the United States. In 1818 there were 80 vessels employed from this port in the fishery of the Grand Bank, manned by 760 men. The whole amount of shipping, in 1815, was 15,555 tons. Population in 1820, 5,630.

Lynn lies on the coast, 6 miles S. W. of Salem and 9 N. E. of Boston. It is famous for the manufacture of ladies' shoes. No less than a million pair were made here in 1811. They are sent in large quantities to the southern states and the West Indies. Population, in 1820, 4,515. Lynn Beach is regarded as a curiosity. It connects the peninsula of Nahant with the main land, and is a favorite place of resort for parties of pleasure from Boston, Salem and Marblehead.

Charlestown is beautifully situated on a peninsula formed by Mystic and Charles rivers, which unite immediately below in Boston harbor. A bridge across Charles river connects the town with Boston, and two others across Mystic river connect it with Malden, and with Chelsea. There is also a bridge across a bay of Charles river, on the west side of the town, connecting it with Cambridge. Among the public buildings are the state prison,

the Massachusetts Insane Hospital, an almshouse, town house; and 5 houses for public worship, 2 for Congregationalists, 1 for Baptists, 1 for Universalists and 1 for Methodists. A navy yard of the United States occupies the S. E. part of the town. It consists of about 60 acres of land, on which are erected a marine hospital, a spacious ware house, an arsenal, and house for the accomodation of the superintendant, all of brick; and an immense wooden edifices under which the largest vessels of war are built. The celebrated battle of "Breed's hill," commonly, but incorrectly called "Bunker hill battle," was fought in this town, June 17, 1775. The population of Charlestown in 1820 was 6,591.

Plymouth is on the coast 36 miles S. S. E. of Boston. It is the oldest town in New-England. The first settlers landed here on the 22d of December 1620. A part of the rock on which the pilgrims landed has been removed to the centre of the town, and the anniversary of their landing is still celebrated. The harbor of Plymouth is spacious but shallow. The amount of shipping in 1815, was 18,875 tons. Population in 1820, 4,884.

Provincetown is situated at the extremity of the peninsula of cape Cod, 60 miles S. E. of Boston by water, 116 by land. Its harbor, which is one of the best in the state, opens to the southward, and has depth of water for any ships. The houses are one story high and set on piles, that the driving sands may pass under them, otherwise they would be buried. The inhabitants derive their subsistence from the prosecution of the fisheries, and are dependent on Boston and on the towns in the vicinity for every vegetable production. Population in 1820, 1,225.

New Bedford is 52 miles south of Boston, on the estuary of a small river which flows into Buzzard's bay. It has a safe and commodious harbor. The inhabitants are extensively engaged in the whale fishery. In 181 more than 20 vessels were employed in the whale fishery and many more in the Cod fishery, coasting trade, and foreign trade. The whole amount of shipping, in 1818, was 23,712 tons. Population, in 1820, 3,947. Taunton is a pleasant and flourishing town on the west side of Taunton river, 36 miles south of Boston. Population, in 1820, 4,520.

Worcester, the capital of Worcester county, is a pleasant and flourishing town 40 miles west of Boston. Population in 1820, 2,962. In 1819 a handsome and commodious building was erected here for the reception of the library and cabinet of the American Antiquarian society. The library consists of nearly 6,000 volumes, many of them rare and valuable works, and the cabinet is respectable.

Springfield stands on the east bank of Connecticut river, 87 miles west of Boston. It has several flourishing manufacturing establishments, and carries on an extensive inland trade. Population, in 1820, 3,914. The principal armory of the United States is in this town. The situation of the armory is remarkably pleasant and healthy, being a perfectly level elevated plat, about half a mile east of the village. The buildings are arranged

on a large square, and consist of one brick edifice 204 feet by 32, 2 stories high, occupied by lock filers, stockers and finishers; a brick forging shop, 150 feet by 32; a brick building 60 feet by 32, 2 stories high, the second story forming a large and spacious hall devoted to religious worship; a brick building 100 feet by 40, and 2 stories high,used as a depository of arms; and numerous smaller stores and shops.-The water works are situated on Mill river, about 1 mile south of the armory, and comprise 5 workshops, 28 forges, 10 trip-hammers and 18 water wheels, exhibiting the greatest assemblage of mills, and other waterworks, to be found in the state. In the whole establishment are employed from 240 to 250 workmen, who complete, on an av erage, about 45 muskets daily, and the number may be increased to almost any extent. From 1795 to December 1817 128,559

moskets were made here.

Northampton is situated in the midst of a beautiful country, on the west bank of Connecticut river, 18 miles north of Springfield. It contained in 1820, 2,854 inhabitants. The prospect from Mount Holyoke in the immediate vicinity is one of the finest and most extensive in New-England.

The principal towns in Berkshire county are Stockbridge and Lenox on the Hooestennuc; Pittsfield. 12 miles north of Stockbridge, and Williamstown, the seat of Williams' college, in the N. W. corner of the state.

Education] Massachusetts is highly distinguished for her literary institutions. There is a University at Cambridge, a college at Williamstown, a collegiate institution at Amherst, and a Theological seminary at Andover; besides numerous flourishing academies.

Harvard college, now the University in Cambridge, 3 miles W. N. W. of Boston, is the oldest and most wealthy literary institution in the United States. It was founded in 1638, in less than 20 years after the first settlement of New-England. Its officers in 1821 were a president, 20 professors, 5 tutors, a proctor and a regent. The Library is the largest in America, containing 25,000 volumes. The philosophical and chemical apparatus are complete. There is a valuable cabinet of minerals belonging to the university; an excellent anatomical museum; and a botanic garden,containing 8 acres, and furnished with an extensive collection of trees, shrubs and plants, both native and foreign.

The college buildings consist of the University hall, which is an elegant stone edifice containing the chapel, dining halls and lecture rooms; Harvard hall, containing the library, philosophical apparatus, museum, &c. 4 spacious brick edifices, containing rooms for students; and several other buildings, for the accommodation of the president, professors and students. An astronomical observatory is about to be erected on an expensive scale.

A law school, a medical school, and a theological seminary form part of the University. The whole number of students in 1821 was 374; of whom 29 were theological students, 13 law