Scotland, as President, and the appointment of Mr. James Ross, as Professor of Languages; to whom were added in the following year, the Rev. Robert Davidson, D. D., as Professor of BellesLettres, and Mr. Robert Johnston, Instructor in Mathematics. The college, under the administration of Dr. Nisbet, flourished, as much, perhaps, as the times would allow.

The first edifice erected in 1802, was destroyed by fire in 1804, but another was completed in September, 1805, and is now known as the west college. The college sustained a heavy loss in the death of Dr. Nisbet, which occurred on the 14th of February, 1804. The office of President was exercised pro tempore by Dr. Davidson, until, in 1809, the Rev. Jeremiah Atwater, D. D., was elected. The institution was prosperous under his direction, and the class of 1812 was the largest that had graduated for twenty years. In 1815, President Atwater resigned, and the following year the operations of the college were suspended, and were not renewed till 1821, when the Rev. John M. Mason, D. D., was called to preside, and during the first part of his administration, there was a considerable influx of students; but previously to his resignation, which took place May 1, 1824, the college began to decline, and continued to languish, except for brief intervals, while under the presidency of Drs. Neill and Howe, until 1832, when the trus tees determined that the operations of the institution should cease. In 1833, the control of the college was transferred to the Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New Jersey annual confer. ences of the Methodist Episcopal church by the resignation, from time to time, of some of the trustees, and by the election of others, named by the said conferences, in their stead, until finally a complete change was effected in the management of the institution. By this change, the college took a fresh start, and the organization of the faculty was commenced by the election of the Rev. John P. Durbin as President, and the establishment of a law department under the charge of the Hon. John Reed. About the same time, a grammar school was opened under the direction of Mr. Alexander F. Dobb.

Dickinson College, under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal church, and under the direction of its able faculty, has hitherto been prosperous, and bids fair to realize the hopes of its early founders. A new and commodious edifice has been erected for the accommodation of the faculty and students, and a suitable building for the use of the grammar school, called Dickinson Insti tute. A large addition has been made to the libraries, to the chemical and philosophical apparatus, and to the mineralogical cabinet. The number of students has gradually increased, and at this time there are in the college proper 118, in the grammar school, 60. Total, 178. The Board of Instruction is as follows:-Rev. John P. Durbin, D. D., President and Prof. of Moral Philosophy. Merritt Caldwell, A. M., Prof. of Metaphysics and Political Economy. William H. Allen, A. M., Prof. of Chemistry and Experimental Philosophy. Rev. John McClintock, A. M., Prof. of Languages. Thos. E. Sudler, A. M., Prof. of Mathematics. Hon. John Reed, LL.D., Prof. of Law. Rev. Levi Scott, A. M., Principal of the Grammar School. Rev. Thomas Bowman, A. M., Assistant.

The early settlers of the valley being generally from the north of Ireland, brought with them their attachment to the Presbyterian church; and upwards of a century since, the Presbyterians built a log church on the Conodoguinet, at the "Meeting-house springs." "The first pastor was Rev. Samuel Thompson." No vestige of the building remains. In the burying-ground are to be seen several ancient grave-stones emblazoned with coats of arms. The pamphlet mentioned above contains the following notices of the churches in the borough.

Shortly after Carlisle was laid out, a Presbyterian congregation was organized in it. A church was built, and George Duffield, D. D., ordained pastor in 1761. About 1760, a license was obtained from Gov. Hamilton, authorizing the congregation to raise by lottery "a small sum of money to enable them to build a decent house for the worship of God," and in 1766, the minister and others petitioned the Assembly for the passage of an act to compel the "managers to settle," and the "adventurers to pay;" the settlement of the lottery having been for a "considerable time deferred" by reason of the "confusions occasioned by the Indian wars." The act prayed for was passed. A short time afterwards, the congregation in the country, then under the care of the Rev. Mr. Steele, constructed a two-story house of worship in town; and some time before the revolution erected the present "First Presbyterian church," on the northwest corner of the centre square. The two church parties differed somewhat in doctrinal views, and were called the "Old Lights," and "New Lights." Mr. Duffield's congregation erected a gallery in Mr. Steele's church, and the two parties worshipped separately. After the removal of Mr. Duffield to Philadelphia, and the death of Mr. Steele, the two congregations united, and called, in 1785, the Rev. Robert Davidson. In 1786, the congregation thus united was incorporated. In 1833, a portion of the congregation, by reason of a doctrinal dispute, organized another congregation, and worshipped in the county-hall till 1834, when they built the "Second Presbyterian

church," on the corner of South Hanover and Pomfret streets. The new congregation was incorporated in the latter year. The First church is at present under the care of Rev. William T. Sprole; and the Second, under that of Rev. Alexander T. McGill.

St. John's church is on the northeast corner of the public square. Its corner-stone was laid in 1825. Robert Callender, George Croghan, Thomas Smallman, and Thomas Butler, presented to the Assembly, in 1765, a petition in behalf of the "members of the Church of England in Cumberland county," representing that they had "in part erected a church in Carlisle, wherein to worship Almighty God; but from the smallness of their number, and distressed state of the country consequent upon the Indian wars," they were unable to finish it; and praying the house to" consider their condition, and grant them such relief as they in their wisdom" should deem meet. The same year an act was passed authorizing them to raise a sufficient sum for the desired purpose by lottery; but whether they availed themselves of it, does not appear. The church then erected stood until the present one was built near the same spot. An itinerant missionary for the counties of York and Cumberland, was maintained by the "Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts," for several years after these counties were founded. This office, as late as 1766, was held by the Rev. William Thompson, son of the first Presbyterian pastor at the "Meeting-house Springs." The present rector is the Rev. P. H. Greenleaf.

The German Reformed and Evangelical Lutheran congregations were organized about 1765; the latter under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Butler. They worshipped on alternate Sabbaths in the same church,-which stood on the present German Reformed burying-ground,—until 1807, when each congregation erected a house of worship for its own use. The Lutheran church was incorporated in 1811, and is now under the care of the Rev. John Ulrich.

The German Reformed church was located on the lot now occupied by the Preparatory schoolbuilding of Dickinson College. Having sold it, they built, in 1827, a church at the corner of High and Pitt streets, which they afterwards sold to the Methodists, and in 1835 erected the one which they now occupy in Louther-street. They were incorporated in 1811. Their pastor is the Rev. Henry Aurand.

Soon after the revolution, the Methodist ministers commenced their labors in Carlisle, worship. ping first in the market-place, then in the courthouse, and subsequently in a small frame-building in Pomfret-street, in which last place they formed a class of about 12 members, in 1792 or 1793. Their number increased, and in a few years afterwards they built a small stone house in Pitt-street, in which they worshipped a short time, and then erected a brick edifice in Church alley. Having sold this in 1835, they purchased from the German Reformed congre gation the stone church on the corner of Pitt and High streets, which they have much improved and beautified. In this they now worship, under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Henry Slicer. The congregation was incorporated in 1838.

The Catholic chapel is built in the figure of a cross. It was erected in 1807, and enlarged in 1823. The lot was at an early day owned by the Jesuits of Conewago, who had upon it a small log church, in which the Catholic congregation worshipped until the present one was built. Their officiating priest is the Rey Patrick Maher.

The Associate Presbyterian congregation of Carlisle was organized in 1798. The lot on Weststreet, upon which the church is built, was conveyed, in consideration of £6, by the Messrs. Penn, in 1796, to "Wm. Blair, Wm. Moore, John Smith, and John McCoy, trustees of the Associate Presbyterian congregation, adhering to the subordination of the Associate Presbytery of Pennsylvania, of which the Rev. John Marshall and James Clarkson" were then members. The building was put up in 1802, and the Rev. Francis Pringle, their first pastor, called the same year. They have now no stationed minister, but the pulpit is occasionally filled by supplies. There are also three African churches in the borough.

"The United States barracks are located about half a mile from the town, but within the borough limits. They were built in 1777. The workmen employed were Hessians captured at Trenton. The barracks will garrison 2,000 men. A school of cavalry practice has recently been established at them, by the government, and the buildings handsomely fitted up under the direction of Captain E. V. Sumner, commanding the post."

There is a remarkable limestone cave 1 1-2 miles from town. The entrance, which is on the banks of the Conodoguinet, is a semi-circular archway, about 7 feet high, wrought by nature's own hand. It contains a number of curious passages and antechambers, and several pools of water, supposed by some to be springs, but probably formed by the drippings from the roof, or by the occasional overflowing of its subterranean waters. "It is supposed by some that the Indians formerly used this cave

as a place of refuge from danger, a deposit for their spoils, and a place of interment for the dead. Human bones have been found in it, but none of those articles usually buried with the Indians."

About four miles north of Carlisle, on a branch of the Conodoguinet, are the Sulphur Springs, in a very healthy, retired spot, surrounded with

the fine scenery of the Blue mountain. The grounds are ornamented in good taste, and the accommodations for strangers are ample. It was formerly a place of great resort. The water bubbles up from the slate formation, from which it derives its strong impregnation of sulphur.

SHIPPENSBURG, the most ancient town in the co., is situated near the western boundary, on the turnpike and the railroad. It is in the heart of a fertile limestone country, cultivated principally by German farmers, with a few descendants of the ancient Scotch-Irish pioneers. It was formerly rendered very brisk by the wagoners' business, which has been broken up by the railroad. Means' run, a branch of the Conodoguinet, turns a number of mills at the town. The borough was incorporated 21st Jan. 1819. This place, in 1750, was for a time the seat of justice of the county. Population in 1810, 1,159; in 1820, 1,410; in 1830, 1,808; in 1840, 1,473. The region around Shippensburg was settled at a very early day. The old Presbyterian church at Middle Spring, (2 miles out,) was one of the first established in the valley, under the old presbytery of Donnegal. The venerable Mr. Moody, the present pastor, has been in charge about forty years. He was preceded by the Rev. Dr. Robert Cooper, who remained in charge about thirty-five years, and before him was the Rev. Mr. Blair, who had been in charge but a short time. The Presbyterian church in town is of more recent origin, the records extending no further back than the last war, (1812-14.) Rev. James Walker, who retired in 1820, was the first clergyman; Rev. Thomas M. Strong, Henry R. Wilson, and James Harper-still there-have since succeeded each other. The Seceders appear to have founded the earliest church in town, and have recently ejected the others in a suit at law for the church property on an ancient title deed. The earlier settlers here were Messrs. Bard, M'Ewen, M'Connell, Reynolds, and McClay, about 100 years since.

John Brady, the father of Capt. Samuel Brady, was born in the state of Delaware, A. D 1733. Hugh Brady, the father of John, had emigrated from Ireland. At a very early period, Hugh Brady settled within five miles of where Shippensburg now stands. The country was then a wilderness, thinly settled by Irish emigrants, simple, sincere, and religious. Many anecdotes are collected, evincive of this, but they would be out of place here. During the French and Indian wars, that part of the country was much harassed by the Indians. John Brady and several other young men had been active against them, and as a mark and reward of merit, he was appointed captain in the provincial line, which at that time was no small distinction. He married Mary Quigly, and Samuel, their first child, was born in the town of Shippensburg, A. D. 1758. After the war, and a purchase had been made from the Indians in 1768, John Brady moved with his family to the West branch of the Susquehanna, where Samuel resided with him till June, 1775. Capt. John Lowden, a widower, raised a company of volunteer riflemen, seventy in number, and all unmarried, and marched to Boston. Samuel Brady was one of this band, and the captain intended that he should be an officer; but his father objected, saying, "Let him first learn the duty of a soldier, and then he will know how to act as an officer."

NEWVILLE is a pleasant borough with 654 inhabitants, on the railroad and on Big Spring creek, 14 miles west of Carlisle. It contains Presbyterian and Seceders' churches. The borough was incorporated 26th Feb.

1817.

Died, on Sunday, the 19th Dec. 1830, at his residence in Mifflin township, Cumberland co., Pa., William Denning, in the 94th year of his age. The deceased was an artificer in the army of the revolution. He it was, who, in the days of his country's need, made the only successful attempt ever made in the world to manufacture WROUGHT IRON CANNON; two of which he completed, at Middlesex in this county, and commenced another and larger one at Mount Holly, but could get no one to assist him who could stand the heat, which is said to have been so great as to melt the lead buttons on his clothes. This unfinished piece, it is said, lies as he left it, at either Holly Forge or the Carlisle Barracks. One of those completed was taken by the British at the battle of Brandywine, and is now in the tower of London.

The British government offered a large sum, and a stated annuity, to the person who would instruct them in the manufacture of that article; but the patriotic blacksmith preferred obscurity and poverty in his own beloved country, to wealth and affluence in that of her oppressors; al. though that country for which he did so much, kept her purse closed from the veteran soldier till near the close of his long life--and it often required the whole weight of his well-known character for honesty, to save him from the severest pangs of poverty. When such characters as the deceased are neglected by a rich government, it is no wonder that some folks think Republics ungrateful.

The strength of his good constitution continued till near his last; and he was able to walk to the village of Newville, (two miles from his residence,) until about six months before his decease.-Hazard's Register, vol. 7.

MECHANICSBURG is a flourishing borough, incorporated 12th April, 1828, on the railroad, 9 miles east of Carlisle. Population in 1830, 554; in 1840, 670.

NEW CUMBERLAND, borough, incorporated 21st March, 1831, is situated at the mouth of Yellow Breeches creek, on the right bank of the Susquehanna, 3 miles below Harrisburg. Population in 1840, 284.

WORMLEYSBURG and FAIRVIEW are two villages opposite Harrisburg,— the former at the end of the bridge, and the latter two miles above, at the mouth of the Conodoguinet. There are several other small villages in the county, among which are KINGSTOWN, STOUGHTOWN, SPRINGFIELD, &c.

DAUPHIN COUNTY.

DAUPHIN COUNTY was separated from Lancaster by the act of 4th March, 1785; by the establishment of Lebanon county, in 1813, it was reduced to its present limits. Length 33 miles, breadth 16; area, 533

273 sq. miles. Population in 1790, 18,177; in 1800, 22,270; in 1810, 31,883; in 1820, (part of Lebanon off,) 21,653; in 1830, 25,243; in 1840, 30,118. That part of the co. below the Kittatinny mountain, and forming a part of the Kittatinny valley, consists of undulating slate and limestone lands, beautiful, fertile, and highly cultivated. The other part of the co. is very mountainous, but contains a few narrow and pleasant red-shale valleys, and several fertile flats along the Susquehanna. The mountainous region abounds with anthracite coal, especially Lyken's valley, at the southwestern termination of the great southern coal field of Pottsville and Mauch Chunk. This coal field, in the vicinity of Pine grove," divides into two branches,-the northern one, under the name of Wiconisco mountain, extending westwardly several miles beyond the county line of Schuylkill and Dauphin counties, to Lyken's valley-and the other, embraced between the Stony mountain and a continuation of the Sharp mountain, reaching nearly to the Susquehanna river." Commencing with the Kittatinny mountain and traversing the co. in a northwestern direction, the principal ranges crossed are the Second and Third, Peters', Berry's, and Mahantango mountains. Between Peters' and Berry's are Short mountain, and several minor ridges and broken spurs ; and several of a similar character between Berry's and the Mahantango mountains. In these minor elevations the coal beds generally occur. In the southern part of the co. are Round-top, near Middletown, and other isolated knobs, apparently belonging to the Conewago range.

The Susquehanna runs a distance of 48 miles along the western edge of the co., its western bank being the boundary line. The scenery along its banks is grand and picturesque, especially where the river breaks through the great mountain ranges: at Harrisburg and Duncan's Island, the grandeur and beauty of nature are enhanced by magnificent structures of art. The other prominent streams are, the Swatara river or creek, entering the Susquehanna at Middletown, Conewago cr., the southern boundary, Paxton cr., Fishing cr., Stony cr., Clark's er., Powell's cr., Armstrong cr., Big and Little Wiconisco crs., and Mahantango creek, the northern boundary.

The public improvements within the co. are-the Union canal, along the Swatara,-the Pennsylvania canal, along the Susquehanna, as far up as the mouth of the Juniata,-and the Wiconisco canal, above the mouth of the Juniata, connecting with the coal mines, the Harrisburg and Lancaster railroad,-the Lykens Valley railroad, to the Susquehanna,and the three magnificent bridges, at Harrisburg and Duncan's Island. On one of those at Harrisburg, which is one mile long, crosses the Cumberland Valley railroad. Several excellent stone turnpikes pass through the co., to Lancaster, Lebanon, Duncan's Island, &c.

The population of the agricultural portion of the co. is principally of German descent, retaining the language, manners, and patient industry of that race. Of the descendants of the original Irish settlers, but few remain. At Harrisburg, and in the coal districts, the population is of various races.

Coal and agricultural products are the chief exports. A very extensive lumber trade is carried on at Middletown and Harrisburg. Some iron is also made in the county.

Dauphin co. was originally Paxton township, (or Pextang, as some

35