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Travels in Some Parts of North America, in the Years 1804, 1805, & 1806, by Robert Sutcliff

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an increase which must pay the farmer well, where the land, generally speaking, is rented at 10s. an acre per annum; there being no tithes, and the taxes amounting to scarcely 1s. per acre. 7th Month, 9th. The evening being serene and pleasant, I took a walk in company with our neighbour R. B. and visited some of the neigh- bouring families. Although this may be deemed the hottest season of the year, I found no incon- venience from the exercise of walking, but it must be remembered that our clothing was very light. In passing along we were entertained with the appearance of immense quantities of fire flies, in the fields and woods around us. They had the appearance of immense quantities of bright sparks of fire, flying in all directions amongst the grass and corn, as well as the leaves and boughs of the loftiest trees. 7th Month, 15th. Having been several times kindly invited, I dined with P. W. a respectable paper-maker in the neighbourhood of Merion, where I spent the afternoon pleasantly. The situation is beautifully romantic, being in a deep narrow valley, the steep hills on each side of which are covered with wood. The mill which would be considered as an extensive one even in England, almost wholly employed in making writing and