tions or farms, and sheets of water; which have
a little the appearance of lawns and fish-
ponds, such as are seen about the ancient seats of
our nobility; but upon a scale exceeding all com-
parison.

5th Month, 14th to the 16th.

I continued at
my relations; and, in one of our walks along the
margins of the Schuylkill, I observed a neat little
cottage, inhabited by a black family, to which
the former owner of the plantation had given their
freedom, with this cottage and a few acres of land.
This little domain was managed with great econo-
my, and afforded them a comfortable and inde-
pendent livelihood. We picked up several land
tortoises, a species of animal which abounds in
these meadows. Here is also a great abundance
of that kind of tortoise, called the snapping turtle,
which makes very good soup; and, as far as I am
able to judge, nearly equal to, that made from the
sea turtle. The snapping turtles are voracious
animals, destructive to young ducks and goslings,
layering hold of them by the legs and dragging them
under water to devour them.

5th Month, 17th.

My relation kindly brought
me to Philadelphia

in his coach, and remained with
me at our lodgings until next day; after which I