USA > Pennsylvania > The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. XII > Part 26
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From this statement it will be perceived that our city stands second to no other on the continent, as to the number, as well as usefulness, of the various works with which her depositories of learning are stored.
In our enumeration we have not included any of the numerous circulating libraries belonging to individuals. -Commercial Herald.
LIBRARIES IN PHILADEPHIA.
From a notice which appeared in a recent number of the Boston Mercantile Journal, stating that the Public Libraries in that city contained 45,000 volumes, besides about 20,000 in the Circulating Libraries, and that it was believed Philadelphia contained one good Library amounting to 25,000 volumes, we have been induced to ascertain the names of the Public Libraries in this city, and the number of volumes contained in each as nearly as practicable. We present the following as the result of our inquiries :
1-Philadelphia Library,
Volumes. 42,000
2-Library of the American Philosophical So- ciety, 9,000
3-Library of the Pennsylvania Hospital, 6,500
4-Library of the Academy of Natural Sci- ences, 5 200
5-Library of the University of Pennsylvania, 2 000
6-Library belonging the Society of Students, 2,000
7-Library of the Friends in Philadelphia, 2,700
8-Library of the Alms House, upwards of 3,000
9-Library of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, 150
10-Library of the Law Association, upwards of 1,400
11-Library of the Medical Society, 600 .
12-Library of the College of Physicians, 500 .
13-Library of the College of Pharmacy, 500
14-Library of St. Augustine Church, upwards of 3,00C
15-Library of the German Society,
16-Library of the American Sunday School Union,
4,000
1,800 |
17-Library of Foreign Classical Literature and Science,. 2,800
18-Library of the Philadelphia Museum, 500
19-Library of the Athenaeum. 6,500
20-Mercantile Library, 4,000
21-Apprentices' Library, ยท
7,000
22-Northern Liberties Library and Reading Room, 2,100
23-Southwark Library, 2,200
24-Kensington Library and Reading Room, 250
25-Library of the Carpenters' Society, . 350
26-Youth Library in the Arcade, 1,500
111,550
Many of the works in these various depots are scarce, and not easily procured at the present time. The Li- brary of the University contains a donation from the unfortunate Louis XVI, made during the Revolutionary War-all of which were printed at the royal printing office, and treat of mathematics, natural history, &c. The Library of the Academy of Fine Arts, contains a donation from Bonaparte. The Libraries of the Hospi- tal and Alms House contain the best works on Medicine, Surgery, and the Sciences, while those of the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Museum, are devoted to natural history and travels. The Library of St. Augus- tine's Church contains, we believe, the only complete copy of the "Fathers, " in this country .- Ib.
PROGRESS OF IMPROVEMENT IN PHILADEL- PHIA.
Some time since it was determined by the Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital, to dispose of the square be- longing to the Institution, situated between Seventh and Eighth and Spruce and Pine streets. A street has been laid out, running from Seventh to Eighth, and called Barclay street, leaving the lots on Spruce street 250 feet, and those on Pine street 183} feet deep. All the lots fronting on Pine street, eighteen in number, have been sold at $3000 each; and on Tuesday last the workmen broke ground, and commenced digging the cellars of some of the houses that are to be erected thereon. They are to recede five feet from the line of the street. Fronting Spruce street there are sixteen lots, each 24 feet 9 inches wide, and the houses are to recede ten feet from the line of the street. Six of these lots have been sold at $6000 each, and it is expected the residue will speedily be taken at the same price. We trust the owners of these lots will adopt a uniform plan for their buildings, with something like architec- tural proportions, instead of following the present fashion so prevalent in our city.
One hundred and fifty thousand dollars will be add- ed to the funds of the Hospital by the sale of this square .- Ib.
RAIN .- During the month of June the quantity of rain that fell, as ascertained by the guage at the Pennsylva- nia Hospital, amounted to 5 inches, 28-100; and during the month of July, to 4 15-100 inches. - Ib.
IRON MANUFACTURES.
The following is from the Albany Daily Advertiser:
IRON .- It is not only our own opinion, but we are confirmed in the belief by many with whom we have conversed, that the manufacturing of castings is brought to greater perfection in Albany than in any other place in this country, and we may add, even Europe. The hollow ware of Bartlett, Bent & Co. is preferred to the best " Scotch Hollow Ware"-the stoves of Dr. Nott, receive the preference wherever they are known, and the machinery castings of Many & Ward, and others, are equal to those of any foundry in the world.
The amount of casting consumed in this section of the country, may be judged by the following facts:
.
.
8
RAIL ROADS-LITHOTRITY.
[AUGUST
Howard, Nott & Co. melt annually about 1,000 tons.
Bartlett, Bent & Co.
do.
do.
350
I. & J. Townsend,
do.
do.
300
Rathbone & Silliman,
do.
do.
200
Many & Ward,
do.
do.
450
2,300
About one thousand persons obtain their support from the employment derived from these establishments.
In addition to the amount of irons melted here, Messrs. Heermans, Rathbone & Co. sell annually 750 tons stove plates, (from Philadelphia,) and Gill, Cooper & Co. about 300 tons from the same place.
From the best information we can obtain, there are about 2,300 tons of castings manufactured and sold in this city, and about 1,250 tons imported and sold here- making in all, 3,550 tons.
We are are glad to see this notice. It prompts us to look a little about us, and to inquire, as we have done, into the matters written about.
We respond to the above paragraph. We do so with some pride. We revert to Berks county of our noble Pennsylvania, as one among the many constituting this " Mammoth State," being able not only to compete with, but claim a superiority in the quantity of iron manu- factured, but in the quality. The Hollow Ware of the old Joanna Furnace, has been proverbial for its excel- lence for many years; and the Scotch patterns in the possession of Jones, Keim & Co., of Windsor Furnace, rank with any, as to character or appearance.
The quantity of Stove-plates supplied for Philadel- phia, New York, Boston, Portsmouth, &c., from this source, would surprise any one not conversant with this branch of manufacture; and the annual aggregate of iron made, in the shape of castings, bars and blooms, (and furnished us from data carefully revised and exa- mined, ) would present the formidable quantity of eight thousand eight hundred and sixty-three tons.
In these different Works, nearly one thousand hands are directly employed, and five thousand others, more or less dependent on them; upwards of 500 horses are used, 77,500 cords of wood burned, 94,132 bushels of wheat, rye and corn, and 542,321 pounds of beef and pork, are required for their consumption.
The Reading Furnace alone has yielded in one blast 1,347 tons of pig metal, for which, such is the demand, that Forge teams are frequently obliged to wait the cooling of the metal, to secure and take it away.
Dr. Nott's beautiful stoves, which yield in comfort and taste to none that have preceded them, are also cast at Windsor Furnace, the bank of which is clustered up with piles of them, presenting in a remarkable degree the delicacy of Saracenic tracery, with which they are ornamented. We concur in pronouncing them a deci- dedly popular and beautiful casting. and are gratified at such an important auxiliary to the consumption of the Anthracite of Pennsylvania. We are gratified to learn that one of these stoves has already found its way to the summit of the Alps, and that the charitable Monks of the Hospice du St. Bernard, in realizing its comfort, had no " boundary to their joy."
Were we beside, to estimate, in the city of Philadel- phia alone, the quantity of iron used at the air furnaces, cupolas, &c, it would display an equally imposing ap- pearance compared with that of perhaps any other city; also, in the consumption of foreign and domestic iron for the various purposes of machinery, &c.
These remarks have been thrown together to convince our sister state, that Pennsylvania is second to none in her resources, which are of such a character as to per- petuate her importance, her wealth, and the happiness of her citizens .- Com. Herald.
THE RAIL ROAD.
We have lately viewed that part of the Allegheny Port. age Rail Road, which lies between Croyle's Mills and
the borough of Conemaugh, and were much pleased with the appearance. It would be worth a three days ride to any person to see the excellent manner in which skill, industry and science, aided by money, have over- come the difficulties which presented themselves, and broke through the obstructions which nature had thrown in the way, in a rough and rugged section of country.
A few miles below Croyle's Mills the Conemaugh ri- ver bends to the south, and after traversing a sinuous course of more than three miles, is again seen across a narrow hill at the distance of about three hundred feet from its place of departure. At this point the road is cut through the hill and carried over the river on a via- duct supported on a strong and neatly built semicircular stone arch of eighty feet span, rising from the abut- ments at the height of twenty feet above the river. The whole distance from the water to the arch being sixty feet. The arch is now complete and the centres removed. It presents a grand and bold appearance, and seems capable of resisting any thing sbort of the concussions of an earthquake. This work does credit to the engineers who planned it, and to the worthy con- tractors, Snodgrass and Durno, who constructed it.
The viaduct is connected with a hill at the west end of an immense embankment, some parts of which are seventy feet in height.
The vicinity of this viaduct will be ere long the site of extensive water works. The whole stream, which is considerable, can be conveyed through the Hog back hill, by a deep cut or a short tunnel, and thus gain a fall of more than forty feet.
A few miles below the viaduct the road passes through a tunnel, nine hundred feet in length, the greater part of which has been excavated out of a solid rock. About one hundred feet at each end of the tunnel, is hand- somely arched with cut stone, and the entrances will be ornamented with columns of the same.
Many of the rails are laid upon the section of the road which we visited, and preparations for laying the resi- due are in rapid progress. This is the case, we are in- formed, on the whole line of the portage, and the prospect of traversing the whole course, from Holli- daysburg to Conemaugh, during the present season, is now very certain .- Ebensburg Spy.
LITHOTRITY.
Letter from the Rev. Joseph Caldwell, President of the University of North Carolina, to Charles A. Poulson.
Dear Sir,-In reply to your inquiries respecting my complaint, and the treatment for its removal, I will briefly state, that I had been afflicted with the symp. toms of stone in the bladder for about six years. For the last three years these symptoms had occasioned me so much pain and distress, that I determined to visit Philadelphia, in order to seek for medical assistance, and obtain if possible, relief from this terrible malady.
I arrived in the city in the latter end of April, and immediately called upon Dr. Physick, who having as- certained by sounding, that a stone was actually in my bladder, advised me to put myself under the care of his son-in-law, Dr. J.Randolph, giving me the assurance that Dr. Randolph had succeeded in several instances in ef- fecting a perfect cure of this complaint by removing the stone, by means of the operation called "Lithotrity," in which case the knife is not at all used. This operation, I am told, is most successfully, and almost universally em- ployed in Paris. I cheerfully acquiesced in this advice of Dr. Physick, a name I must think no less illustrious for benevolence, than for eminence in medical science and practical skill. Dr. Randolph took charge of my case, and having properly prepared me for the opera- tion, he commenced it on the 19th of May, in the pre- sence of Drs. Physick and Horner, Messrs. Kennedy,
89
DELAWARE AND SUSQUEHANNA RAIL ROADS.
1833.]
Cook, and Henn. The pain which I endured from this |this improvement to the mouth of the Nescopeck, op- operation was not severe, nor did either of the neces-| posite Berwick. sary repetitions of it occasion me so much inconveni- ence as to oblige me to keep my bed for more than a few hours. On the 23d of June, Dr. Randolph perform- ed the last operation, which occupied but a few mi- nutes. A few days from this time I found myself free from the pain which I had previously suffered. The Dr. now examined me very carefully, and declared his conviction that I was entirely rid of the stone, and I had the heartfelt gratification of having this declaration con- firmed by Dr. Physick, who after a minute examina- tion on the 4th of July, stated his belief that I was com pletely cured.
I am yours, very respectfully,
JOS. CALDWELL. Philadelphia, July 10, 1833.
Bucks County Intelligencer. THE RAIL ROAD.
From what has already been said in the public prints, and private circles, we are led to believe the public are prepared to enter upon the incipient steps for such an improvement. We have heretofore taken an abstract view of the subject, believing it better that the people themselves, should lead the way, than that we should advance arguments or views in its favor, which might be thought premature, visionary or chimerical. Enough has come to our knowledge, to satisfy us, that on the route through which it is contemplated to pass, the peo- ple have not been idle in comparing opinions, collecting facts touching its practicability, and minutely scanning the probable utility or advantages to be derived from it. To aid, therefore, in getting a right view, we have put ourselves to some trouble, to obtain information, relative to the work, its prospective advantages, its importance as a necessary link in the chain of improvements now making, and the opinions of our citizens, most likely to be affected by it.
At this time there are several routes for rail roads, mentioned in the public prints, designed to bring the trade from the head waters of the Susquehanna and Delaware, to Philadelphia. The increasing demand for coal and lumber, has turned public attention towards the northern counties of our state, and as population there increases, so do the necessities for a better com- munication to market become more manifest and im- portant. A connexion has long been deemed necessa- ry between the valley of the Susquehanna and Lehigh. This long wished for improvement, is now in a fair way to be accomplished, by a rail road from Wilkesbarre to the mouth of Wright's creek, on the Lehigh river,25 miles above Mauch Chunk. From a report of an examination of this route, just made, we glean the following facts: The distance between the two points is 14 miles. The elevation of the summit above Wilkesbarre is 1251 feet, and above the Lehigh 604 feet. The estimated cost, permile, is 6,500 dollars, amounting for the 14 miles to $92,625. and making a liberal allowance for contingen- ecies would be $130,000. The interest of this sum would be $7,800. Itis estimated by persons of intelli- gence, that 200,000 tons of coal, and 3 millions of feet of lumber, at least, will pass along this road, which alone, saying nothing about produce, iron, copper, mer- chandize and other articles, would yield in tolls, 47,000 dollars. Suitable materials for the construction of the road, are every where found upon the line, and the whole ground is represented to be highly favorable, passing a number of valuable scites for water powers, &c. Books for subscription of stock have been opened, but we are not informed as to the amount subscribed.
The Beaver Meadow Rail Road, which is now being surveyed, will likewise contribute to encrease the amount of descending trade, on the Lehigh Canal to Easton, and it is in contemplation to form an extension of VOL. XII. 12
The Susquehanna and Delaware Rail Road extends from Belvidere on the Delaware, through the Delaware Water Gap, Stroudsburg, up the Pocono Brook, down Roaring Brook to its junction with the Lackawana, at Centreville; and down the Lackawana to Pittstown, on the north branch of the Susquehanna. This projected improvement is said to present many advantages. Passing through a fine coal region, immense forests of excellent timber, and in a country rapidly improving in its agriculture and mechanic arts. The amount of ca- pital required is estimated at $1,000,000. The Com- missioners appointed are Henry W. Drinker, Daniel Stroud, Win. Henry, John Coolbaugh, A. E. Brown, Stogdel Stokes, David Scott, and James M. Porter. They have given notice of the time for opening the hooks for the subscription of stock, on the 29th ult. at Belvidere, the 30th at Clinton, the 31st at Newark, and on the 1st, 2d and 3d of August, at the Exchange, in New York.
The Leggets Gap Rail Road, extends from Circle- ville, where the Delaware and Susquehanna Rail Road enters the Lackawana valley, through Leggets Gap, across the south branch of Tunkhannock to the mouth of Martin's creek, to the head waters of Salt-lick creek, and down Salt-lick Creek to the northeast branch of the Susquehanna, below the great bend. The capital required to make this rail road is $500,000. Books for subscrip- tion to be opened at the same time and places as above.
These are improvements designed to benefit in an eminent degree, all the northeastern counties of our state, and those counties of New York bordering there- upon. They pass through the most populous parts of Susquehanna, Luzerne, Lehigh and Northampton coun- ties, opening the most direct and nearest communica- tion with Philadelphia via Easton. The products of the lake countries-the mineral wealth of the moun- tains of our state, and the vast forests which have scarcely yet been penetrated, will all be thrown open to the markets of our atlantic cities, presenting new objects for their enterprising citizens to engage in, and where capital may be profitably invested and employed.
The citizens of New York and New Jersey seem to have been fully apprised of these important improve ments, and the great benefits to be derived, by divert- ing this trade through the upper part of New Jersey, in a direction to reach the city of New York. A com- pany is being formed for the purpose of making a rail way from Belvidere and Easton to Somerville, being an extension of the Elizabethtown and Somerville Rail Road. The distance from Belvidere to Somerville is said to be 45 miles-the average cost of making it will be about $12,000 per mile. Commissioners have given notice of the time and places for receiving subscriptions of stock.
In view of these several improvements, which are now about being commenced, we cannot but regard the project for making a rail way, from the Delaware at Lumberville, via Doylestown, to the Germantown Rail Road, as of vast consequence to the people residing at and above Easton, and of no less amount in magnitude, to the interests of Philadelphia, than almost any other improvement which through the vigilance and enter- prise of the citizens has been accomplished. These once finished, and the great sources of trade, which have heretofore only reached her market by circuitous routes, will be put within her immediate grasp. The profitable trade of the Susquehanna, will be tapped at four different points-at Berwick, Wilkesbarre, Pitts- town, and at the Great Bend. Easton forms the point to which they severally are to be directed. It would seem a necessary consequence, that the trade passing upon those roads should proceed to Philadelphia; but if our natural advantages are not seized upon, the su- perior skill and management of those interested in the trade of New York, by continuing the same kind of im-
90
BRISTOL COLLEGIATE INSTITUTION.
[AUGUST
provements, may direct it out of its natural channel to that city. The Delaware Canal in the Summer season, may compete with the Morris Canal; but when a rail way shall be made from Easton to New York, it will be perceived that at the most profitable season of the year, the trade will be carried to New York. To be on a footing therefore, with the New Yorkers, the Philadel- phians should have a rail way to Easton, or at least to some point by which a fair competition might be min- tained, When the Delaware Canal is most flourishing, we should much question, whether it would be more than half sufficient, to pass the carrying trade of the northern country, and a new channel will be sought out.
-
We have allowed our pen a little more latitude, than we had designed, when we commenced this article. It seemed to strike us in a more forcible light, as we traced upon the map, the courses of the above enumerated rail roads, and a more than passing notice we thought necessary. We shall now, without further delay, close, by making a few observations about our own rail road, presuming that the reader has come to the conclusion, with us, that the amount of the northern trade, will am- ply demand some new thoroughfare, and the growing and increasing mercantile prosperity of Philadelphia, requiring all the aids which can be afforded, from addi- tional sources of internal communication.
The distance from Lumbervi'le to Doylestown will be about eight miles, thence to the intersection of the Norristown Rail Road, about 20 miles. Estimating that it would cost as much as the West-Chester Rail Way, about 9,000 dollars per mile, it would require $252,000 to make it. The interest of this sum, at 6 per cent. would be 15,120 dollars. Now the question presents, would the tolls on this road produce a sum sufficient to pay that interest? We have no hesitation in saying that the passengers now going on this line to and from Phi- ladelphia, with the carrying trade of lumber and coal from the Delaware, and lime from Whitemarsh, if a cor- rect estimate could be made, would amount to that sum. As in all works of this kind, it would have a tendency to increase the amount of travelling and transportation, and in one year from the time the road is opened, would probably be doubled. There are at this time, three daily lines of stages running to Easton, one by the state or river road, one through Doylestown, and one by the old Bethlehem road. The passengers to Wilkesbarre, Mauch Chunk and Bethlehem, would be conveyed up- on it as far as Doylestown, and there is no doubt, should a bridge be erected, which is in contemplation, across the Delaware at Lumberville, stages would run from thence to various places in New Jersey. Besides these, there would be the Doylestown passengers, sufficient now to support a tri-weekly stage. The quantity of lumber and coal hauled annually from Lumberville and Point Pleasant, we have not been able to ascertain. The annual sales of lumber by the Messrs. Dilworth, at the former place, are from eight hundred thousand to one million feet. There is a large amount of business done there likewise; by other persons, in coal, &c. and we should judge the sales at Point Pleasant are not much below those at Lumbervillc. We pretend not to give any estimate of the quantity of lime brought from Whitemarsh to various points upon the road. It is used in the erection of almost all the new buildings in his vicinity, and extensively by farmers as a manure.
The country between the Delaware and Germantown, is highly favorable for the construction of a rail way, and occupying as it would, an intermediate position be- tween the Schuylkill and Delaware Canals, will greatly benefit a large district of country, hitherto deprived of all advantages from works of public improvement.
We understand from a very respectable source that a rail road is in contemplation from Fitzwatertown, to connect with the Germantown road on the east side of Germantown, passing through a gap in Chesnut-Hill, near the Lime-kiln road. This would probably be the
most eligible route for our rail way, and the distance would be somewhat less.
A meeting of the citizens of Doylestown was held a short time since, and a committee appointed to procure a person to make the survey from Lumberville to Doylestown, the necessary funds being provided to meet the expense. That committee have engaged a gentleman, who will shortly make the necessary exami- nation and survey of the ground.
Before this is done, we would respectfully suggest the propriety of calling a public and more general meeting-including the citizens of Philadelphia, Mont- gomery and Bucks counties, interested in the contem- plated road. We should deem it a useless and idle waste of time and money, to attempt the construction of a road simply from Lumberville to this place; but if it is extended on to the Germantown road, we believe it would produce as much revenue as any road that could be made in this part of the state. The people who have become interested in the construction of a road between this and Lumberville expect it to be extended on to Philadelphia, and it is better that this should be the primary and leading object, and that our measures should be in reference to a survey and examination of the entire route.
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