*** Mrs. Ellett's Women of the Revolution, i., 171.
**** Washington, in a letter to Congress, dated Whitemarsh, 10th December, 1777," mentions the fact that, on Thursday night previous, Howe, with all his foree, left the eity, and the next morning appeared on Chestnut Hill, in front of the American right wing. He says, "From a variety of intelligence, I had reason to expect that General Howe was preparing to give us a general action." Writing to Governor Livingston on the 11th, he savs, Howe "came out with his whole force last Thursday evening, and, after maneuvering round us till the Monday following, decamped very hastily, and marched back to Philadelphia."
Swedes' Church.—Wharton's Mansion-house.—The Mischianza.—Immorality of the Army.
Within and without it has been too much modernized to give a very perfect idea of its original appearance. In its burial inclosure, among graves that were dug a century and a half ago, rest the remains of Wilson, the great American ornithologist. Here was the first burial-place in Philadelphia; and here was offered the first Christian worship upon the western bank of the Delaware above the Schuylkill.
Near the Swedes' Church, and fronting the river at the present navy yard, stood Wharton's Mansion-house. It was of large dimensions, with broad lawns and stately trees around it. There, on Monday, the 18th of May, 1778, was given a great entertainment in honor of Sir William Howe and his brother Richard, earl Howe (the naval commander), then on the eve of their departure from America. It was called the Mischianza, an Italian word signifying a medley.
This entertainment was probably the most magnificent exhibition of extravagance and folly ever witnessed in America. It very properly drew forth the indignant comments of not only the Whigs in America, but of the true friends of government here and in England, as an appropriate finale to the sensualities of the British army during its winter encampment in Philadelphia. * The loose discipline of the army, during those six months of idleness, did more to weaken the power of the enemy than all the battles they had yet experienced here, and fully justified the remark of Franklin, that "General Howe has not taken Philadelphia—Philadelphia has taken General Howe." Major Andre, in the subjoined letter ** to a friend, has given a graphic picture of the Mischianza. It was published in a London magazine in August., 1782.
* The following advertisement, which appeared in a Philadelphia paper while the British had possession of the city, will serve to show the impudent profligacy of some of the English officers at that time: "Wanted to hire with two single gentlemen, a young woman, to act in the capacity of housekeeper, and who can occasionally put her hand to any thing. Extravagant wages will be given, and no character required. Any young woman who chooses to offer, may be further informed at the bar of the City Tavern.—Watson's Annals, ii., 288.