From Ballston to Saratoga springs, is a distance of about seven miles, through a generally level country, with the second growth of wood thickly bordering the sandy roads, but with occasional fine views of the hills and mountains in the distance.

CHAP. XXIII.

Arrival and stay at Saratoga springs-History of the first settlement of the spot-Conveyance of lands by Indian chiefsProgressive increase of the settlement-Origin of the popularity of the springs-Building of the principal hotels-Situation and appearance of Saratoga-Characteristics of the principal houses -Interesting spots in the environs-Chemical analysis of the waters-Chief attraction to visitors at Saratoga-Great variety of character for observation-Elegance of the men and beauty of the women-Deficiency of females in expression and passionDifference of youth and age in the men-American authority for degeneracy of manners-Freedom of intercourse with the young of both sexes-Routine of a day at Saratoga-Order and succession of meals and intervals-American sketch of the American character-Evening amusements-Hops, balls, and concerts-Specimen of two American " popular discourses"Imitations of the "Diary of a Physician"-Discourse on the nursery tale of "Cock Robin"-General opinions expressed on this performance.

We arrived at Saratoga about one o'clock, and having previously engaged apartments at the Union Hall, we soon found ourselves amidst the bustle of a large party of more than 200 persons, promenading the drawing-rooms and piazzas of the hotel, waiting for the approaching hour of dinner, which was two o'clock; and taking our seats at the table, we were soon recognized by many whom we had met in different parts of the Union, and found ourselves more at home than we had anticipated.

We remained at Saratoga about ten days, and during that period, the weather being fine, though very warm, we made visits to each of the large hotels

besides our own, having friends and acquaintances at each; we saw all the variety of entertainments which here, as at most watering-places, form the chief business of life with those who frequent them, and we made some pleasant excursions in the neighbourhood; so that we were enabled to form a tolerably fair estimate of the place and its visitors; and as it is in many respects singular, and unlike any other rendezvous of fashion in the United States, some account of it may be acceptable.

The first settlement of the whites in the spot where Saratoga now stands, arose out of a grant of lands made here by two Indian chiefs of the Mohawk tribe, to David Schuyler and Robert Livingston, both of Albany, the grant bearing date the 12th of August 1702, being the first year of the reign of Queen Anne. The Indian name for the spot was then Sah-rah-ka, or the "side of the hill," which correctly enough indicates its position. This was converted by the settlers into Sar-ogh-to-ge, and afterwards to Sor-oc-to-ga, from whence the transition was very slight to Saratoga, the name it now bears. The conveyance was legally made "for and in consideration of divers goods," and a few years afterwards the whole tract was reconveyed to other purchasers for "the sum of 901. in full satisfaction for all that tract of land situated, lying, and being in the county of Albany, called Kyaderosseras, alias Queensborough."

The first settlement was not effected till 1715, and from that period till 1747 little is known of its history; but it was then the subject of a hostile attack on the part of the Indians, when the small town was burnt and about thirty families massacred.

In 1755, a fort was commenced called Fort Edward, from whence a road was cut to Lake George, north of it about 30 miles, where Fort William Henry was erected; and in 1759, General Amherst having passed up the Hudson, and by this lake to Canada, put the country into such a state of security as to induce a great increase of settlers, especially along the banks of the Hudson and the Mohawk rivers; while the hunters among the Indian tribes resorted to this spot as a favourite watering-place, the abundance of the springs all along the valley occasioning it to be much frequented by deer and other game.

The following is related as the circumstance which first gave celebrity to the waters of Saratoga. Sir William Johnson, a general of the British army, who had been wounded in the defence of Fort William Henry, had been permitted to retire from the army, and to reside at Johnstown, a place westward of Saratoga about 30 miles, as agent for the Indians. Being much indisposed, and being a great favourite with the Indians, they pursuaded him to make a journey to the Springs; to which he assented, and he was borne on a litter carried by the Indians for the greater part of the way. He remained here several days, being supplied with game by the hunters of the friendly tribe; all of them drinking largely of the only mineral spring then open, called High Rock Spring, till they became so fond of the water as to use it to excess for mere enjoyment. In the end, Sir William was so entirely recovered from his illness, that he was strong enough to walk all the way home (a distance of 30 miles) on foot;

and the fame of this cure spread so rapidly through the country, that from this period the springs grew into greater celebrity every year.

It was in 1792, that the second spring was discovered by Mr. John Taylor Gilman, of New Hampshire, subsequently a governor of that State, and at that time a member of Congress. It was this which caused it to be called the "Congress Spring;" and of this there is fifty times the quantity drank that there is of any other.

In 1800 the first large hotel was built, under the name of Union Hall. In 1812, this was followed by a still larger house, called the Congress Hall. In 1819, the Pavilion, another large hotel was erected, and lastly in 1824, the United States Hotel, larger and more commodious than of any of its predecessors, was opened. In 1827, the village was incorporated by an act of the legislature, and it then contained about 300 dwelling-houses and two thousand inhabitants, with five places of public worship, since which it has been constantly on the increase.

The situation of the village is pretty-lying generally in a valley, but with sufficient undulation of surface in and near it, to make it very picturesque, and the views it presents from the neighbouring hills are varied and agreeable. Like most of the American villages we had yet seen, the main street is of great breadth 140 feet at least, and the length of it is about a mile. The shops and private dwellings are small, while the large hotels look the larger by the

contrast.

Of these hotels the Congress Hall is frequented by the most fashionable classes, those who pride