[24] For a brief biography of David Rittenhouse, see A. Michaux’s Travels, volume iii of our series, note 75.—Ed.
[25] Alexander Wilson was for many years a weaver and poet in Paisley, Scotland. Trouble breaking out between the weavers and masters, he emigrated to Philadelphia in 1794, becoming in turn weaver, school-teacher, and peddler. In 1802 the scientist John Bartram became interested in Wilson’s talents, and gave systematic direction to his natural taste for ornithology, to which he devoted the remainder of his life. He published his first volume of American Ornithology in 1808, and had nearly completed nine volumes before his death, in 1813.—Ed.
[26] A public reading-room called the Atheneum was established by private subscription in 1814. Ten years later it contained 3,300 volumes, including prominent foreign and American reviews. Rooms were rented from the American Philosophical Society until 1847, when the Atheneum building was erected.—Ed.
[27] For a sketch of John Melish, see Bradbury’s Travels, volume v of our series, note 129.—Ed.
[28] For a brief description of the National Road, see Harris’s Journal, volume iii of our series, note 45.—Ed.
{41} LETTER IV[29]
Journey from Philadelphia to Pittsburg—Lancaster—Elizabeth Town—The River Susquehana—Harrisburg—Carlisle—Chambersburg—Cove Mountain—Macconnel’s Town—Sidelong-hill—The river Juniata—Bedford—The Allegany Ridge—Stoystown—Laurel-hill—Lauchlinstown—Chesnut Ridge—Greensburg—Adamsburg—Pittsburg—Interspersed remarks on the Country, Taverns, &c.—Notices of Emigrants, and occurrences by the way.
Pittsburg, 28th September.
The contents of this will be composed of notes taken on my journey from Philadelphia to Pittsburg.[30]
On the morning of the 20th of September, I went to the Coach-Office in Philadelphia to take my seat. Such is the number of travellers that I found it necessary to take out a ticket two days previously.