become a thick wood; so rapid is vegetation in
this part of
the world.
After fording the Schuylkill, which is here
broad
and shallow, having several islands in it covered
with lofty
trees, we came upon W. B.'s plantation,
and soon afterwards reached his
habitation. We
found the family sitting in the shade of the piazza,
in
the front of the house, where we joined them
in taking tea, and enjoyed the
freshness of the
breeze, and a beautiful prospect of a great part
of
the country between his house and Philadelphia,
a distance of about 20
miles; and in the plea-
santest part of Pennsylvania. The privilege of
sitting under the shade of these piazzas, enjoying
the fresh air in the
afternoons and evenings, fully
compensates for any inconvenience that is
suffered
from the heat, in the warmest part of the day.
These piazzas
are commonly six feet wide with
boarded floors. On seeing families seated
in them
in their tranquil summer evenings, it constantly
reminded me
of the patriarchs of old, sitting at the
doors of their tents in the cool
of the day.