ing engaged by Lee's push for the bridge, delayed the attack upon the boat for a few minutes, and thus afforded Hamilton the chance of escape. The two videttes preceded Lee as he reached the bridge, and himself and four dragoons safely passed it, although the enemy's front section emptied their carbines and pistols at the distance of ten or twelve paces. Lee's apprehension for the safety of Hamilton continued to increase, as he heard volleys of carbines discharged upon the boat, which were returned by guns singly and occasionally. He trembled for the probable issue, and as soon as the pursuit ended dispatched a dragoon to the commander-in-chief, describing with feelings of anxiety what had passed, and his sad presage. His letter was scarcely perused by Washington before Hamilton himself appeared, and, ignorant of the contents of the paper in the general's hand, renewed his attention to the ill-boding separation, with the probability that his friend Lee had been cut off. Washington relieved his fears by handing him Capt. Lee's letter." (See page 400.) In June, 1778, the British evacuated Philadelphia,-when Gen. Washington immediately broke up the encampment at Valley Forge, hurried across the Delaware, and met the enemy on the plains of Monmouth, in New Jersey. NORRISTOWN, the seat of justice, is a flourishing borough, occupying an elevated site on the left bank of the Schuylkill, 16 miles from Philadelphia. From the hills behind the town an extensive view is obtained of the fine scenery of the Schuylkill valley. The town is well built, and many of the houses being stuccoed, it presents a bright and lively appearance from the opposite shore. The dam across the river creates an immense water-power, and has made the place famous for its large manufactories. It contains 3 large cotton factories, 1 power-loom weaving factory, a rolling and nail mill, 3 steam saw-mills, 1 water saw-mill, a foundry, a locomotive shop, a saw-mill for marble, grist-mills, oil-mill, &c. Besides the usual county buildings, there are Presbyterian, Episcopal, Baptist, Methodist, and Catholic churches, an academy, a bank, a public library, and a private seminary for boys. The bridge across the Schuylkill is 800 ft. long, was built in 1830, and cost $32,000. The Norristown and Philadelphia railroad, constructed about the year 1835, passes along the left bank of the river, through Conshohocken and Manayunk. It was originally intended to continue this road to Pottsville, but the design has been forestalled by the Reading railroad, which passes along the opposite bank of the river. The canals and locks of the Sch. Navigation Co. are also on the west side of the river. A small village has grown up at the west end of the bridge around the locks and the depot of the Reading railroad. Population of Norristown in 1830, 1,116; in 1840, 2,937. It was incorporated as a borough 31st March, 1812. Within 3 miles west of Norristown are the extensive marble quarries of Mr. Henderson, from which a part of the material was obtained for the Girard College. Some ten years since, in sawing a huge block which had been taken from between 60 and 70 ft. below the surface, a singular lusus naturæ, or freak of nature, was displayed, which is thus described by Peter A. Browne, Esq., into whose possession it afterwards came : A slab two inches in thickness was taken off, and displayed to view, nearly in the centre, an indentation 1 1-2 inch long by 5-8 of an inch wide, handsomely arched above and rectangular below. In this cavity was a black powder, which being removed, TWO CHARACTERS were observed. These are raised, and are at equal distances from the top, bottom, and sides of the indentation from each other. That the letters have not been put there since the block was cut, is proved by several gentlemen of Norristown of the highest respectability, who saw it soon after the sawing; and moreover, it is apparent to any person accustomed to examine mineral sub. stances, that no tool whatever has been used. The surface of the indentation, as well as that of the letters, has a vitrified or semi-crystallized appearance. Mr. Strickland and Mr. Peale, both of whom have examined the slab carefully with a magnifying glass, agree with me in this par ticular. The marble belongs to the primitive limestone formation. Unfortunately the black powder was not preserved. It is not the least remarkable circumstance attending this curiosity, that had the saw passed the sixteenth part of an inch on one side, it would have injured the letters-or on the other, they would not have appeared. No fissure or fracture was to be seen in the block. Various conjectures have been made as to the characters. One gentleman insists that they are Hebrew, and stand for "Jehovah;" another says that they are the Roman "IN," and correspond to "Jesus of Nazareth." Both these persons of course believe that they have at some ancient period of time been put there by the hand of man; but by whom, or how they could afterwards have become buried in the solid rock, especially as it is primitive, they cannot explain. Others, among which number I confess myself, believe it to be a lusus naturæ. All agree that it is a great curiosity, and well deserving examination. Norristown has grown up entirely since the revolution. It is included within the limits of the manor of Norriton, which belonged to William Penn, Jr., and which he sold, when in this country, to enable him to settle the extravagant debts incurred by his youthful follies. William Trent and Isaac Norris purchased it, for £850. It included the present township of Norriton. The town took its name from Isaac Norris. The ground upon which it stands was a farm in the time of the revolution, belonging to Mr. John Bull, who, in spite of his name, was a stanch whig, and the British burnt his barn for him as they passed on towards Philadelphia. Along the bank of the river, below the town, are still to be seen the remains of the intrenchments, or breastworks, thrown up by Gen. Du Portail, by order of Washington, when he expected the British would cross at that place. Norristown was laid out in 1784. It then belonged to some academy in Philadelphia, which had purchased it from John Bull, to whom it had been sold by Isaac Norris. The academy sold it to William Moore Smith, who laid out the town; but as he sold the lots rather grudgingly, it did not increase much until it passed into the hands of John Markly, under whom it went forward more vigorously. The principal increase has been during the last fifteen years, in which period the larger manufactories have been erected. The first house, which is still standing, and occupied by Mr. Strahley, was framed at Valley Forge, and floated down the river. It was on the river bank at Norristown, that the spade was set to excavate the first public canal in the U. S. This was the old Schuylkill and Delaware canal, intended to connect the two rivers, and also to supply water to the citizens of Philadelphia. For this latter purpose, the canal was to be taken to Philadelphia on the same level, without a lock. The company was incorporated 10th April, 1792. After completing some 15 miles of the heaviest sections, and the expenditure of about $400,000, the undertaking was abandoned; the principal stockholders being themselves involved in commercial difficulties. The company was afterwards merged in the Union Canal Co. and the Schuylkill Navigation Co. (See page 418.) The ancient excavation still remains, below Norristown. About a half mile below Norristown, on the opposite side, is standing the old Swedes' Ford tavern, famous in the annals of the revolution. A tall and solitary pine, a remnant of the ancient forest, still stands beside it, like some faithful old sentinel: some years since it had a companion, and the two formed a beautiful head. The house is now no longer a public house. Maj. Holstein, who formerly kept it, and built an addition to it, thinks a part of it over 100 years old, Maj. Holstein is a descendant of Mats Holstein, a primitive settler in Upper Merion, where he took up 1000 acres of land. Mauntz Rambo, another wede, was a famous hunter, and has told Maj. H. of his killing deer and panthers in the neighborhood. At one time he grappled a wounded deer, who made off with him on its back; but he succeeded in cutting its throat. The oldest Presbyterian church in the county is the Norriton church, on the Reading turnpike, about four miles east of Norristown. It is about 100 years old. The next in antiquity is the Providence church, on the turnpike. The Presbyterian church in town, of which Rev. Samuel M. Gould is pastor, is of more recent origin, having been established in 1819, under Rev. Joseph Barr, who was at the same time pastor of the Providence church. About a mile northwest of Norristown is a farm-house, now occupied by Mr. Knox, and formerly the residence of Gen. Andrew Porter. He was a captain and colonel during the revolution, and served with great gallantry at Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, and in other campaigns. Mr. Madison offered him the commission of brigadier-general in the American army, and also the office of secretary of war; both of which he declined. He was appointed surveyor-general of Pennsylvania, by Gov. Snyder, in 1812, and died at the age of 70, while in that office, at Harrisburg. His sons, who were born near Norristown, have been very distinguished. George B. Porter died in July, 1834, at the age of 44, being at that time governor of Michigan territory. Gen. David R. Porter is now about closing his second term as governor of Pennsylvania; and Gen. James M. Porter has recently been appointed secretary of war, by President Tyler. Another brother, recently deceased, was a judge of one of the western districts of the state. David Rittenhouse, the distinguished astronomer, was born near Germantown, but spent a part of his early years at a farm about four miles east of Norristown. POTTSTOWN is prettily situated, in a handsome undulating country, on the left bank of the Schuylkill, 20 miles above Norristown. The houses are built principally upon one broad street, amidst gardens and shadetrees. The scenery of the surrounding hills is very fine, especially in autumn. The Manatawny, at the west end of the village, turns several excellent flouring-mills. The Schuylkill Navigation works passes on the opposite bank of the river. The Reading railroad passes very prettily along one of the back streets, crossing the Manatawny on a lattice-bridge of 1,071 feet in length. The town contains Methodist, German Lutheran, and Episcopal churches, and an academy. The annexed view was taken from the opposite side of the Schuylkill. The most prominent buildings, in the centre of the view, are the large hotels and other edifices about the railroad depot. Population in 1840, 721. Pottstown, formerly known as Pottsgrove, derives its name from John Potts, who had a large grant of land in this region. He owned a part of Sprogel's manor, and the land adjoining it to the north. West of the town, beyond the Manatawny, is a stately but antique mansion, overlooking the town, erected by him long before the revolution. It was then the marvel of the whole country, and people came from 40 miles round merely to see it. Mr. Potts was an enterprising speculator in iron-works, in Chester and Berks counties. He was a descendant of old Thomas NORRISTOWN, FROM THE NORTHWEST. This view was taken from Mr. Eastburn's farm. In the foreground are seen the cars of the Reading Railroad, and a boat on the Schuylkill |