NORRISTOWN, FROM THE NORTHWEST.

This view was taken from Mr. Eastburn's farm. In the foreground are seen the cars of the Reading Railroad, and a boat on the Schuylkill Navi-
gation. In the center, on the river, is the large cotton factory of Mr. B. M'Credy; next below it is Mr. Jamieson's weaving factory, and below,
Messrs. R. C. Nichols & Co's rolling and nail mills. Below the bridge is Mr. Samuel Jamieson's cotton factory. The spires in the back
ground denote, commencing on the left, the Catholic Church, Baptist Church, Court House, Episcopal Church, (gothie,) the Academy, and the
Presbyterian Church near it, without a spire.

Potts, who settled at Burlington in William Penn's time; and was the father of Isaac Potts, who settled at Valley Forge. That was one of his iron-works. His son Samuel was once the owner of the lands where Pottsville now is, but sold it long before it was known for its coal; and it came afterwards into the hands of one Pott, a German, from whom Pottsville is named.

There are several small but pleasant villages in this county, on the main roads leading out of Philadelphia. SHOEMAKERTOWN is on the Willow Grove turnpike, eight miles north of Philadelphia. The following incident, related in the Saturday Bulletin, in 1829, occurred near this place during the revolution :

Col. Allan McLane, who died at Wilmington, Del., in 1829, at the patriarchal age of 83, was distinguished for personal courage and for his activity as a partisan officer. He was long attached to Major Lee's famous legion of horse. While the British occupied Philadelphia, McLane was constantly scouring the upper end of Bucks and Montgomery counties, to cut off scouting parties of the enemy, and intercept their supplies of provisions. Having agreed, for some purpose, to rendezvous near Shoemakertown, Col. McLane ordered his little band of troopers to follow at some distance, and commanded two of them to precede the main body, but also to keep in his rear; and if they discovered an enemy, to ride up to his side and inform him of it, without speaking aloud. While leisurely approaching the place of rendezvous in this order, in the early gray of the morning, the two men directly in his rear, forgetting their orders, suddenly called out, "Colonel, the British!" faced about, and putting spurs to their horses, were soon out of sight. The colonel, looking around, discovered that he was in the centre of a powerful ambuscade, into which the enemy had silently allowed him to pass, without his observing them. They lined both sides of the road, and had been stationed there to pick up any straggling party of the Americans that might chance to pass. Immediately on finding they were discovered, a file of soldiers rose from the side of the highway, and fired at the colonel, but without effect; and as he put spurs to his horse, and mounted the road-side into the woods, the other part of the detachment also fired. The colonel miraculously escaped; but a shot striking his horse upon the flank, he dashed through the woods, and in a few minutes reached a parallel road upon the opposite side of the forest. Being familiar with the country, he feared to turn to the left, as that course led to the city, and he might be intercepted by another ambuscade. Turning, therefore, to the right, his frighted horse carried him swiftly beyond the reach of those who had fired upon him. All at once, however, on emerging from a piece of woods, he observed several British troopers stationed near the road-side, and directly in sight ahead, a farm-house, around which he observed a whole troop of the enemy's cavalry drawn up. He dashed by the troopers near him without being molested, they believing he was on his way to the main body to surrender himself. The farm-house was situated at the intersection of two roads, presenting but few avenues by which he could escape. Nothing daunted by the formidable array before him, he galloped up to the cross-roads, on reaching which, he spurred his active horse, turned suddenly to the right, and was soon fairly out of reach of their pistols, though as he turned he heard them call loudly to surrender or die! A dozen were instantly in pursuit; but in a short time they all gave up the chase except two. Col. McLane's horse, scared by the first wound he had ever received, and being a chosen animal, kept ahead for several miles, while his two pursuers followed with unwearied eagerness. The pursuit at length waxed so hot, that, as the colonel's horse stepped out of a small brook which crossed the road, his pursuers entered it at the opposite margin. In ascending a little hill, the horses of the three were greatly exhausted, so much so that neither could be urged faster than a walk. Occasionally, as one of the troopers pursued on a little in advance of his companion, the colonel slackened his pace, anxious to be attacked by one of the two; but no sooner was his willingness discovered, than the other fell back to his station. They at length approached so near, that a conversation took place between them; the troopers calling out, "Surrender, you damn'd rebel, or we'll cut you in pieces!" Suddenly one of them rode up on the right side of the colonel, and, without drawing his sword, laid hold of the colonel's collar. The latter, to use his own words, "had pistols which he knew he could depend upon." Drawing one from the holster, he placed it to the heart of his antagonist, fired, and tumbled him dead on the ground. Instantly the other came up on his left, with his sword drawn, and also seized the colonel by the collar of his coat. A fierce and deadly struggle here ensued, in the course of which Col. McLane was desperately wounded in the back of his left hand, the sword of his antagonist cutting asunder the veins and tendons of that member. Seizing a favorable opportunity, he drew his other pistol, and with a steadiness of purpose which appeared even in his recital of the incident, placed it directly between the eyes of his adversary, pulled the trigger, and scattered his brains on every side of the road! Fearing that others were in pursuit, he abandoned his horse in the highway: and apprehensive,

from his extreme weakness, that he might die from loss of blood, he crawled into an adjacent mill-pond, entirely naked, and at length succeeded in stopping the profuse flow of blood occa. sioned by his wound. We have seen a painting of this desperate encounter, very acurately representing the contest. It used to be common in our auction-rooms, but of late years has become

scarce.

JENKINTOWN is a pleasant village on the Willow Grove turnpike, 10 miles north of Philadelphia. It contains some 30 or 40 dwellings, a lyceum, library, stores, &c. The Abingdon Friends' meeting-house is at a short distance from the village.

ABINGDON is another pleasant village four miles north of Jenkintown, containing some 30 or 40 dwellings, a Presbyterian church, and a female seminary. The Presbyterian church in this place, now under the charge of Rev. Robert Steele, was originally organized in 1714, by Rev. Malachi Jones, a Welshman, who died 26th March, 1729. He was succeeded by Rev. Richard Treat, who died Nov. 29, 1779, after a ministry of nearly 50 years. Rev. Wm. Tennent succeeded. He died Dec., 1810. He was a grandson of the celebrated Wm. Tennent of the log college. Rev. Wm. Dunlap succeeded him, who died Dec. 17, 1818. Rev. Rob't. Steele succeeded in Nov., 1819. The first edifice was built in 1714, and rebuilt of stone in 1793. A part of the second edifice is incorporated with the present one, which was erected in 1833. The old graveyard near this church contains many ancient stones. Within its walls, the night after the battle of Germantown, Capt. Webb, of the American army, and his company had bivouacked. In the morning it was exceedingly foggy, and the company, who could see nothing beyond the walls of the yard, were suddenly surprised and overpowered by a detachment of the British. Capt. Webb was afterwards a distinguished citizen of Kentucky.

HATBOROUGH is 14 miles from Philadelphia, on the Willow Grove turnpike. It is a quiet and pleasant village, surrounded by a fertile district. It contains some 40 or 50 dwellings, Baptist and Methodist churches, a public library, and the Loller Academy, founded in 1811, and very handsomely endowed by the estate of Robert Loller, Esq. During the revolution, Gen. Lacey was surprised by the British in a wood just above the Baptist church.

NORTH WALES is a small hamlet in Gwinned township, about three miles from MONTGOMERY SQUARE, on the road between Norristown and Doylestown. North Wales is celebrated as the site of one of the oldest Friends' meetings in the county. The venerable building is situated in a retired spot, shaded with tall trees. There are many hallowed associations connected with this place. The history of the early settlement of the Welsh in this region has been given above. Gwinned township was taken up in 1698, the original purchasers being Wm., John, and Thomas Evans, who distributed portions among their associates, viz.: Wm., John, Thomas, Robert, Owen, and Cadwallader Evans; Hugh Griffiths, Edward Foulke, Robert Jones, John Hughes, and John Humphrey. All these, except the last two, were originally Episcopalians, but were afterwards converted to the faith of the Friends.

EVANSBURG, a small village on the Germantown turnpike, near Perkiomen cr., six miles N. W. of Norristown, was originally settled by Welsh Episcopalians-the Beans, Shannons, Lanes, Pawlings, &c. The venerable Episcopal church, which is very similar to that of Radnor, (see page 306,) bears the date of "1721-church wardens, I. S. and I. P.;" that is,

ti James Shannon and Isaac Pawlings. The church stands in a graveyard, shaded with the cedars and other trees of the ancient forest, and containing the time-worn monuments of the early settlers. Jesse Bean, Esq., who is still living in the village, at the age of about 80 years, was a boy at the time of the Germantown battle. He well remembers the dismay that prevailed the night after the battle, when the wounded fugitives were quartered in every house. The old gentleman is one of the most active men in the place, and in 1841 was performing the arduous duty of a superintendent of the turnpike. Near Evansburg is the splendid stone bridge of six arches over the Perkiomen, founded in 1798, and finished in 1799.

CONSHOHOCKEN is a lively manufacturing village, which has recently grown up in connection with the water-power of the Schuylkill Navigation Company, on the left bank of the Schuylkill, four miles below Norristown, and 12 miles from Philadelphia. There is also a large business done near here, in burning lime for the Philadelphia market.

SUMANYTOWN is on the head-waters of Perkiomen cr., 15 miles north of Norristown, and contains some 30 or 40 dwellings, stores, &c. There are three powder-mills in this vicinity. The townships in this part of the county are chiefly settled by Germans. Goshenhoppen, the town of the Schwenckfelders, is four miles N. W. of Sumanytown.

There are several other pleasant villages in the county, situated generally at the intersection of the principal roads. Among these are WILLOW GROVE, HORSHAM SQUARE, MONTGOMERY SQUARE, LINE LEXINGTON, (on the county line, partly in Bucks co.,) REESVILLE, FLOURTOWN, KLINGLETOWN, &c., &c.

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY was separated from Bucks, and established by the act of March 11, 1752. It originally included Wayne, Pike, Monroe, Lehigh, and Carbon counties, the latter having been established the present year, (1843.) Still, like the farm of the old Roman, which, as each successive son took from it his portion, was more productive the smaller it grew; so probably Northampton, within its present circumscribed limits, can boast more aggregate wealth than when it included all the wild region beyond the mountain. Its present area is 370 sq. miles. Population in 1790, 24,250; in 1800, 30,062; in 1810, 38,145; in 1820, (Pike and Lehigh off,) 31,765; in 1830, 39,482; and in 1840, (without Monroe, but including Carbon co.) 40,996.

The county at present lies almost entirely within the luxuriant Kittatinny valley, bounded by the Blue or Kittatinny mountain on the N. W., by the South mountain or Lehigh hills on the S. E., with the Delaware river flowing along the eastern, and the Lehigh along the western boundary. The more important creeks are Martin's, the Bushkill, Manockasy, and Hockendock. These creeks, together with the dams on the Lehigh, furnish an abundant water-power. The northwestern side of the valley

is composed of slate lands, the southeastern of limestone. A traveller coming into the co. through the Lehigh gap, thus very correctly describes both the physical and moral aspect of the co.

In passing through the Gap, the broad expansive valley of highly cultivated fields and sloping woodlands, below the mountains, opens a new world, in striking contrast with the mountainous region above. The beauty and richness of the country, however, is still more increased towards Easton. From Cherryville to that place it is an elevated plain, with here and there a gentle depression for the small streams that make their way to the Lehigh and Delaware rivers. As far as the eye can reach may be seen rich farms, neat stone dwellings, commodious, and well-filled barns, and beautiful orchards, richly laden with fruit, affording a specimen of the independence characteristic of the German farmers of Pennsylvania. Indeed, the general appearance of prosperity indicates that the inhabitants are-what they are generally acknowledged to be as hon. est, industrious, and frugal a set of people as are to be found in any part of the Union. The German language is very generally spoken among them, though we are informed that English schools are becoming more frequently established and generally patronized for the education of the young in the prevailing language of our country. Many of the farmers send their daughters to the Moravian Seminary at Bethlehem, which is so justly celebrated for the acquirement of a good English education.

In the southern part of the co. along the base of the South mountain, is a rich deposit of iron, supplying material for 6 furnaces and 4 forges. Recent experiments by a gentleman skilled in the art, are said to have proved that the iron ores of this region are well adapted for the manufacture of steel-a quality valuable because very rare.

The agricultural population is chiefly of German descent. In the towns the races are more mixed, including many from Jersey, New England, Pennsylvania, and a very few of the descendants of the Scotch-Irish who originally settled the county above Easton. Although agriculture is the main business of the citizens, yet there is considerable capital invested in manufactures, particularly near Easton; and also in the coal and lumber trade. Good roads pass in all directions: the most important are, the turnpike to Wilkesbarre, and those to Reading and Philadelphia. The streams, both large and small, are crossed by substantial bridges.

The three prominent gorges in the Kittatinny mountain, the Lehigh and Delaware Water-gaps, and the Wind-gap, arrest the attention of every traveller. Prof. Silliman thus describes the Lehigh gap:

"Many mountain scenes engaged our attention, particularly as we approached the gap in the Blue Ridge, through which the Lehigh passes. This mountain range stretches for many miles, in a straight line to the right and left, presenting a regular barrier, fringed with forest trees, and wooded on the entire slope, which was as steep as it could be, and sustain the wood upon its sides. As we approached the gap, the view became very beautiful, and as we entered it by the side of the Lehigh and of the fine canal upon the left of its bank, the mountain ridge, here cleft from top to bottom, and rising apparently a thousand feet, presented on either hand a promontory of rocks and forests, rising very abruptly, and forming a combination both grand and beautiful. The passes of rivers through mountains are almost invariably picturesque, and it is always interesting to observe how faithfully the rivers explore the clefts in mountain barriers, and, impelled by the power of gravity, wind their way through rocky defiles, and pursue their untiring course to the ocean. It is common to speak of such passes as being formed by the rivers, which are often supposed to have burst their barriers, and thus to have shaped their own channel. This may have happened in some peculiar cases, and there are doubtless many instances where the lakes, of which many must have been left at the retiring both of the primeval and of the diluvial ocean, have worn or burst away their barriers, especially when composed, as they must often have been, of loose materials. But with respect to most rocky passes of rivers through mountains, there appears no reason whatever to believe that the waters have torn asunder the solid strata; a more resistless energy must have been requisite for such an effect; and we must therefore conclude that the rivers have, in most instances, merely flowed on through the lowest and least obstructed passages; their channels they have doubtless deepened and modified, often to an astonishing degree, but they have rarely formed them through solid rocks."