Philadelphia as it is in 1852 ... With illustrations and a map of the city and environs

Front matter

REMOVAL. LINDSAY & BLAKISTON, p u b I i s [j n s, 3S o o k n I U r 0, AND BOOKBINDERS, BAVJE REMOVED TO THEIR NEW STOKE, 25 South Sixth Street, above Chestnut, PHILADELPH I A, WHERE, WITH MORE ROOM, AND INCREASED FACILITIES, THEY INTEND CONTINUING THE PUBLISHING, BOOKSELLING, AND BINDING BUSINESS, IN ALL ITS BRANCHES. They will always keep on hand a general assortment of MEDICAL, SCIENTIFIC, CLASSICAL, SCHOOL, AND MISCELLANEOUS BOOKS. Orders from Booksellers, Libraries, or Schools, for Books, in Jiny department of literature, will receive prompt attention, and the books will be furnished at the very lowest prices. Lists of their own publications, or complete catalogues of Medical and Scientific Books, will be furnished, upon applica tion being made to them by mail or otherwise. Foreign Books imported to order. liirak 3Mi The Subscribers having in connection with their store A LARGE TT^T"TS^^i"rp->T~i>>TT> *y^A, Are prepared to make to order, in a superior manner, and at low prices, BLANK, AND MERCANTILE ACCOUNT BOOKS, of all kinds, suitable for BANKS, PUBLIC OFFICES, HOTELS, or for THE COUNTING BOOM.

The assortment which they keep on hand includes LEDGERS, RECEIPT, LETTER, RECORD, BANK, JOURNALS, DAY, CASH, INVOICE, ORDER, MEMORANDA, SCRAP, and other Books, of every variety, size, and style of binding. BOOKS FOR BANKS OR PUBLIC OFFICES, REGISTERS FOR HOTELS, DOCKETS FOR MAGISTRATES, ETC, MADE PROMPTLY TO ORDER. LINDSAY & BLAKISTON, 25 South Sixth Street, above Chestnut. G 1 R A 11 D C 0 L L E G B PHILADELPHIA AS IT IS, IN 1852: BEING A CORRECT GUIDE TO ALL THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS; LITERARY, SCIENTIFIC, AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS ; \y. it PLACES OF AMUSEMENT REMARKABLE OBJECTS; MANUFACTORIES J) COMMERCIAL WAREHOUSES AND WHOLESALE AND RETAIL STORES IN PHILADELPHIA AND ITS VICINITY. ittitlj 3llttstrntioiis, AND A MAP OF THE CITY AND ENVIRONS. BY E. A. SMITH. PHILADELPHIA LINDSAY AND BLAKISTON. 1852.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1852. BY R. A. SMITH, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. C. SHERMAN, PRINTER, 19 St. James Street. PUBLISHERS' NOTICE. The Subscribers, in offering to the public this work, would recommend it to their patronage from its intrinsic value as a complete guide for strangers and others to all places of interest and attraction in the city, as well as an advertising medium of rare advantage — the benefits of which are incalculable, except to those who have paid attention to the "Philosophy of Advertising," and found the rich harvest gathered from the many seeds sown in this way ; while others, from being " penny wise and pound foolish," have found, alas, when too late, the fatal error they have fallen into by saying that "no body reads advertisements."

Chapter I. Public Buildings

The State House. United States Custom House. Custom House Stores. United States Storekeeper's Office. United States Inspectors of Customs, and Tidewaiters. Wardens of the Port. Harbour Master. City Tobacco Warehouse. United States Arsenal, on the Schuylkill. United States Arsenal, near Frankford. State Arsenal. Commissioners' Hall — Southwark, Moyamensing, Kensington, Northern Liberties, Richmond, Spring Garden. Markets — High Street Market, South Second Street Market, North Second Street Market, Callowhill Street Market, Shippen Street Market, Maiden Street Market, Spring Garden Market, Girard Market, Moyamensing Market, Franklin Market, Eleventh Street Market. Wholesale Provision Trade. Water-Works — The Fairmount Water-Works, Spring Garden and Northern Liberties Water-Works. Gas-Works — Philadelphia Gas-Works, Spring Garden Gas-Works, Northern Liberties Gas-Works. The Navy Yard. The United States Dry Dock. United States Mint. Philadelphia Post-Office. Blood's Despatch Post, ......

Chapter II

places of amusement. Chestnut Street Theatre. Walnut Street Theatre. Arch Street Theatre. Swaim's Building. Sansom Street Hall. Welch's National Theatre and Circus. The Philadelphia Museum Build- 1* X CONTENTS. 73 91 ing. The Franklin Hall. The Masonic Hall. The Spring Garden Hall. Fotterall Hall. Musical Fund Hall. Public Squares — Independence Square, Washington Square, Franklin Square, The Penn Squares, Rittenhouse Square, Fairhill Square, Norris's Square, .....

Chapter III

commercial institutions. The Merchants' Exchange. Philadelphia Board of Trade. Banks — Bank of North America, Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank, the Bank of Pennsylvania, the Mechanics' Bank, the Philadelphia Bank, the Western Bank, the Girard Bank, the Bank of the Northern Liberties, Commercial Bank, Bank of Commerce, Bank of Penn Township, Southwark Bank, Manufacturers' Bank, Kensington Bank, Tradesmen's Bank, State Bank of New Jersey, at Camden (Branch in Philadelphia.) Western Savings Bank, Western Savings Association, Philadelphia Insurance Company's Equitable Insurance Company, Pennsylvania Insurance Company, Union Mutual Insurance Company, Delaware Mutual Insurance Company, The Girard Life Insurance Company, The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, The United States Life Insurance, Annuity, and Trust Company, ........

Chapter IV

education. The University of Pennsylvania. Girard College. Public Schools —The Central High School, The Normal School. The Controllers and Directors of the Public Schools. Locust Street School, Zane Street School, Lombard Street School, Northeastern School, Northwestern School, Southeastern School, Southwestern School, Madison School, Jefferson School, Mount Vernon School, Weccacoe School, Monroe School, Hancock School, Livingston School, West Philadelphia School, Ringgold School, Norris School, Harrison School. The Philadelphia Society for the Establishment and Support of Charity Schools. Houses of Refuge. Academy of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Theological Seminary of St. Charles Borromeo. Philadelphia Academy of the Visitation. Society for the Institution and Support of First-day or Sunday Schools.

Robert Raikes Union Sunday School. The Howard Sunday School. CONTENTS. XI 115 157 The Aimwell School Society. Episcopal and Roman Catholic Parish Schools. The Presbyterian Institute. The Adelphia School. Free School for Coloured Children, .

Chapter V

medical colleges. Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania. Jefferson Medical College. The Medical Institute. Pennsylvania College. The Philadelphia College of Medicine. The Philadelphia Association for Medical Instruction. Homœopathic Medical College. The Female Medical College of Pennsylvania. Eclectic Medical College of Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, ......

Chapter VI

literary and scientific institutions. American Philosophical Society. The Philadelphia Library Company. Loganian Library. The Athenæum. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania. The Academy of Natural Sciences. The Mercantile Library. The Franklin Institute. Library of the Law Association of Philadelphia. The College of Physicians. The Library of the German Society. The Library of the University of Pennsylvania. The Library of the Pennsylvania Hospital. The Apprentices' Library. The Friends' Library. Spring Garden Institute. Southwark Library. Northern Liberties Franklin Library. Jefferson Library and Literary Association. The Reading-Room Association of Spring Garden. School of Design for Women. The Fine Arts — Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, The Art Union of Philadelphia, The Graphic Association of Philadelphia, The Artists' Fund Association.

The Press — Daily Morning Newspapers, Daily Evening Newspapers, Weekly Newspapers, Secular Weekly Newspapers (Religious), Sunday Morning Newspapers. Monthly Periodicals — Godey's Magazine, Graham's Magazine, Sartain's Magazine, Peterson's Magazine, Journal of the Franklin Institute, Odd Fellows' Magazine, The Home and Foreign Record, The Presbyterian Magazine, The Banner of the Cross, The Mother's Journal, Examiner and Record of Medical Science, Medical News and Library. Quarterlies — The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, The American Journal of Dental Sciences, The American Journal of Pharmacy, Transactions CONTENTS. 187 249 of the College os Physicians, The Biblical Repertory and Princeton Review, The Protestant Quarterly Review. Semi- Annual — Ranking's Half- Yearly Abstract of the Medical Sciences ; The Home, the School, and the Church ; Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, Transactions of the Academy of Natural Science, .....

Chapter VII

benevolent institutions. The Pennsylvania Hospital. Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane. Friends' Asylum for the Insane. The United States Naval Asylum. Pennsylvania Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb. Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Blind. Friends' Almshouse. Blockley Almshouse. Moyamensing Almshouse. The Wills' Hospital. The City Hospital. Christ Church Hospital. St. Joseph's Hospital. The Dispensaries — Philadelphia Dispensary, Northern Dispensary, Moyamensing Dispensary. Preston Retreat. Foster Home Association. House of Industry. The Widows' Asylum. Philadelphia Lying-in Asylum. St. Ann's Widows' Asylum. Roman Catholic Benevolent Society of Philadelphia. The Orphans' Society of Philadelphia. St. John's Orphans' Asylum. St. John's Female Orphans' Asylum.

Magdalen Asylums — Magdalen Asylum, The House of the Good Shepherd, Rosine Asylum. Coloured Orphans' Asylum. Provident Society. Union Benevolent Society. The Northern Association for the Relief and Employment of Poor Women. The Temporary Home Association. Soup Societies and City Trusts. Beneficial Associations — The Humane Society for the Recovery of Drowned Persons, The Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Prisons, The Colonization Society, Abolition Society, Foreign Benevolent Society, .......

Chapter VIII

churches and religious institutions. The Society of Friends. Friends' Meeting-Houses. Episcopal Churches— Gloria Dei, or Swedes' Church, Christ Church, St. Peter's Church, St. James' Church, St. Paul's Church, Church of the Epiphany, Church of the Atonement, Grace Church, St. Luke's Church, Church of the Ascension, Church of the Mediator, St. Philip's Church, St. Andrew's Church, St. Stephen's Church, St. John's Church, Church of the Advent, St. Mark's Church, St. Jude's Church, Church of the Nativity, CONTENTS. XIII Church of the Redemption, Church of the Messiah, St. Matthew's Church, Church of Emanuel, Church of the Evangelists, Trinity Church, All Saints Church, St. Mary's Church, Church of St. James the Less, Church of the Crucifixion, St. Thomas's (African) Church, The Floating Church of the Redeemer.

Presbyterian Churches — First Presbyterian Church, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, or Penn Square Presbyterian Church, The Eighth, or Scots' Presbyterian Church, The Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Central, Clinton Street, Western, Logan Square, Spring Garden, Green Hill, and Union Presbyterian Churches; First Presbyterian Church, Northern Liberties ; Central Presbyterian Church, Northern Liberties ; North Presbyterian Church, Northern Liberties; Penn Presbyterian Church ; First Presbyterian Church, Kensington ; Second Presbyterian Church, Kensington ; First Presbyterian Church, Southwark ; Second Presbyterian Church, Southwark : Associate Presbyterian Church, First Associate Presbyterian Church, Second Associate Presbyterian Church, Associate Presbyterian Church, Southwark, First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Second Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Third Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Fourth Associate' Reformed Presbyterian Church, Fifth Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Reformed Presbyterian Church, Cumberland Presbyterian Church, First Independent Presbyterian Church, Second Independent Presbyterian Church, Reformed Presbyterian Church, Cohocksink Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church at Port Richmond, Germantown, Mantua, and West Philadelphia.

First, Second, and Third African Presbyterian Churches. Presbyterian Church at Bridesburg, Frankford, and Manayunk. Presbyterian Board of Publication Building. Presbyterian Board of Education, Presbyterian Board of Domestic Missions. Roman Catholic Churches — Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Church of St. John the Evangelist, St. Augustine's Church, The Chapel of Our Lady of Consolation, St. Mary's Church, St. Joseph's Church, Trinity Church, St. Patrick's Church, St. Francis Xavier's Church, St. Philip de Neri's Church, St. Paul's Church, St. Peter's Church (German), Church of the Assumption, St. Ann's Church, St. Michael's Church, St. Mary's Church, Passyunk Catholic Church at Nicetown, German Catholic Church, Brides burg ; Catholic Church, Germantown ; Catholic Church, Frank ford; Catholic Church, Manayunk; St. Mary's Church, Mana yunk ; Catholic Church in West Philadelphia.

Baptist Churches — The First Baptist Church, Second Baptist Church, Sansom Street Baptist Church, Third Baptist Church, Spruce Street Baptist Church, Schuylkill Baptist Church, Tabernacle Baptist Church, German Baptist Church, New Market Street Baptist Church, Hope Baptist Church, Tenth Baptist Church, Eleventh CONTENTS. XIV 279 Baptist Church, Mount Tabor Baptist Church, Twelfth Baptist Church, Broad Street Baptist Church, North Baptist Church. West Kensington Baptist Church, West Philadelphia Baptist Church, The First African Baptist Church, Second African Baptist Church, Clifton Street African Baptist Church, Fourth African Baptist Church. American Baptist Publication So ciety. Methodist Churches — St. George's Church, Salem Church, Nazareth Church, Union Church, Trinity Church, Western Church, Fifth Street Church, Eighth Street Church, Harmony Church, St. John's Church, Sanctuary Church, Parrish Street Church, Twelfth Street Church, German Metho dist Church, Old Brick Church, Methodist Church, St. John's Church, Mount Zion Church, Wharton Street Church, Inde pendent Church, Ebenezer Church, St. Paul's Church, John Wesley Church, Little Wesley Church, Zoar Church, Metho dist Church, Bethel Church, Union Methodist Church, Metho dist Church.

Lutheran Churches — St. John's Church, Zion Church, St. Matthew's Church, German Lutheran Church, Zion and St. Michael's Church, St. Mark's Church, Lutheran Church, St. Michael's Church, Lutheran Church, Frankford. German Reformed Churches — First German Reformed Church, Second German Reformed Church, German Reformed Church in Manayunk and Roxborough. Dutch Reformed Churches — The First Dutch Reformed Church, Second Dutch Reformed Church. Moravian Church. Universalist Churches — The First Universalist Church, Second Universalist Church, Third Uni versalist Church, Fourth Universalist Church. Unitarian Church. Hebrew Synagogues — The First Synagogue, Second Synagogue, Third Synagogue. The Bible Christians. Dis ciples of Christ. The Covenanters. Menonists' or Dunker's Church. New Jerusalem Church.

Union Chapel. Church of the United Brethren. Mariners' Church. The Bible — The Pennsylvania Bible Society. The Female Bible Society of Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Bible Society. The Northern Liberties Bible Society. Germantown Female Bible Society. Frankford Bible Society. Manayunk Bible Society. The Bible Association of Friends. American Sunday School Union. Miscellaneous Associations — The Society of Masons, Masonic Lodges, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Odd Fellows' Halls, The United Order of American Mechanics, The Independent Order of Good Fellows, The Improved Order of Red Men, Mu tual Beneficial Associations. Temperance Societies — Order of the Sons of Temperance, Independent Order of Good Samari tans, Daughters of Temperance, Daughters of Samaria, Cadets of Temperance, Pupils of Temperance, CONTENTS. XV 363 3 i

Chapter IX

cemeteries of p ii i l a I i e l p ii i a Laurel Hill Cemetery — Thorn's Celebrated Group, Godfrey's Monument, Tomb of Oscar Douglass, Tribute to the Memory of General and Major Twiggs, Walter Colton's Tomb, Tomb of General Hugh Mercer, of Joseph S. Lewis, of Commodore Hull, of Commodore H. Murray, of Stephen Decatur Lavalette, U. S. N., of Ferdinand Rudolph Hassler, of Charles A. Hassler, of William Drayton, of Thomas McKean, President of the first Continental Congress, of William Short, of John Cook, of Dr. Morgan, U. S. N., of John H. Beusse of South Carolina, of Charles Thomson, the Confidential Secretary of the first Congress, of Joseph C. Neal, Julius R. Friedlander, William Young Birch, and John Cook, Gothic Monument, The Coleman Monument. South Laurel Hill — The Harrison Monument. Odd Fellows' Cemetery. Glenwood Cemetery. Monument Cemetery. Woodland Cemetery. .....

Chapter X

the city* government, roi.iCE, PRISONS, etc. The City Police Department — Day Police, The City Watch. Select Council. Common Council. Board of City Commissioners, City and County Commissioners, and Offices. The Consolidated Police Force of the City of Philadelphia. Consolidated Police Stations. The Lazaretto. United States Inspection Station at the Lazaretto. State Penitentiary for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia County Prison. Fire Department — Engine Companies. List of Officers of the City, Districts, and Institutions of Philadelphia, in 1852. Officers of the City of Philadelphia. City and County Officers. Guardians of the Poor, Visiters of the Poor. Board of Health — Officers of the Board of Health, Executive Officers of the Board of Health. Officers and Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital.

Officers and Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane. Officers and Managers of the Philadelphia Dispensary. Officers and Directors of the various Banks. Custom House Officers, Inspectors, Clerks, &c. Fire Hose Companies. Hook and Ladder Fire Companies. Officers and Managers of the Philadelphia Exchange Company. Insurance Companies, . CONTENTS. 405 421

CHAPTER XL INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

The Columbia and Pennsylvania Railroad. Railroad and Canal Companies — Philadelphia, Reading, and Pottsville Railroad, Philadelphia and Trenton Railroad, Camden and Amboy Railroad, Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad, Norristown and Germantown Railroad, West Chester Railroad, The City Railroad, Southwark Railroad, Northern Liberties and Spring Garden Railroad. Steamboats. Ferry Boats. Bridges — The Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad Bridge, The Market Street Railroad Bridge, The Fairmount Bridge, The Columbia or Reading Railroad Bridge, The Richmond Railroad Bridge, The Norristown Railroad Bridge, &c. Canals. Turnpike Roads. The Principal Hotels — The United States Hotel, Jones's Hotel, Chestnut Street, The Columbia House, The Washington House, The Girard Hotel, The Merchants' Hotel, The Franklin House, The American Hotel, Congress Hall, Eagle Hotel, &c,

Chapter XII. Relics Of The Past

Penn's Cottage. Slate-Roof House. Loxley Hall. Old London Coffee House. Carpenters' Hall. Watson's Annals, &c. Conclusion. Farquhar Building. Map of the City and Environs, o PHILADELPHIA AS IT IS, IN 18 5 2. A WORD TO THE READER. Some may think it unnecessary to make any prefatory re marks, by way of introduction, to a work of this character ; hut when the number of " Hand-books," " Guides," &c, already pub lished, is considered, we may surely be justified in giving the " wherefore" which has induced us to add another to the cata logue, and thus make good our claim for a share of the public patronage and support, which we venture to believe ourselves entitled to. To the descriptions of Philadelphia and its vicinity, which have already been published, it has been justly objected that they contain mere descriptions of buildings, &c, which, how ever correctly written, necessarily fail to arrest the attention, or impart that information and instruction, which books of this character are expected to afford.

To remedy these and similar objections, the present work has been compiled, which, while it claims to be equal to any of its predecessors in general information, will, we hope, he considered superior, on account of its illustrations and descriptive detail. The map and en gravings have been executed with great care. The illustrations comprehend some of the most interesting views and objects in this city and its vicinity. If the work meet the requirements of the public, our object will be attained. A TALK ABOUT THE PAST AND THE PRESENT HISTORY OF THE CITY. One hundred and seventy-one years ago, the site of Phila delphia was a wilderness. Our beautiful streets, now alive with the ceaseless hum of industry and the turmoil of com merce, was the hunting-ground of the Indian. Behold the change ! In the year 1681, the first settlers arrived from London, in the ship " Sarah and John," Captain Smith.

The following year, William Penn, its great proprietor and founder, landed at the " Blue Anchor," near the mouth of Dock Creek. The object this celebrated man had in establishing " the new Colony" was, using his own words, " to afford an asylum to the good and oppressed of all nations, to frame a government which might be an example, to show men as free and as happy as they could be." " I am," he writes, " spending my life and my money without being a sixpence enriched by my .greatness. Had I sought greatness only, I had stayed at home, where the difference between what I am, and was offered and could have been there, in power and wealth, is as wide as the places are apart." Everything connected with the settlement and early history of Philadelphia, indicates the enlarged and religious mind of this Pater Patriæ.

The very name he chose is impressive, as importing in its original Greek sense — " brotherly love." The plan and limits were on the most magnificent scale. Had those original plans been carried out, Philadelphia would now have been the most splendid city in the world. They were feared, however, to be too extensive, and the contemplated city was reduced to one-fourth of the original plan. The first house erected was the "Blue Anchor" tavern, THE PAST AND THE PRESENT. situated near the mouth of Dock Creek, on the spot which is now the northwest corner of Dock and Front Streets. In 1684, the population was 2500 inhabitants. In the year 1701, Phila delphia was incorporated into a city. It increased rapidly at that early day. In 1739, a resident writes, that it was the admiration of all people who saw or heard of its flourishing condition in lands, in building houses, and shipping, in manu factures, and increase of population.

At present, Philadelphia extends from Southwark to Kich mond, a distance of nearly five miles ; and from the Delaware to the Schuylkill. Innumerable steamboats, sailboats, &c, travel along her shores — merchantmen and packets bring her the wealth of the most distant climes. Still her progress is on ward. The enterprise of her citizens was never more displayed than at present. Railroads and canals pour into her lap the treasures alike of our own mountains and the great valley of the glorious West. The city is extending with wondrous strides ; year by year streets are being laid out, and houses, extending away for squares, arise, as by the hand of magic, on ground that lately " waved in golden harvest." Spring Garden aud Penn, twelve years ago, were rural districts. Now look at them ! We remember rambling, five years since, through fields immediately north of Poplar Street, where are now beautiful streets, adorned with tasty, and, in many instances, magnificent houses.

In the "west end," the change is no less extraordinary. Who does not remember the "duck ponds" and "commons out Broad Street?" They are gone, and houses unrivalled, in any city, for architectural taste and ele gance, now line Vine, Eace, Arch, Chestnut, Walnut, Locust, Spruce, and the intermediate streets. The Schuylkill no longer bounds us. Improvement is now in rapid march through the beautiful District of West Philadelphia. And no less marvellous are the changes taking place in Southwark, Moyamensing, &c. &c. Those of our citizens whose business or inclinations keep them from "rambling around," will be astonished and bewildered on visiting what they are apt to term the " outskirts of the city." A worthy gentleman, residing in Chestnut by Delaware Eighth Street, remarked to us the other day, that he lately took a walk out west of Broad Street, "and," said he, "I could not believe my eyes; I thought this could not possibly be Philadelphia.

The change, sir, is most wonderful I" LOCATION AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION. This beautiful city is situated on a plain, bounded on the east by the River Delaware, on the west by the River Schuyl kill, about five miles above their junction. " The city," or that part of it incorporated by the city Charter, and under its jurisdiction, is bounded on the north by Vine Street, and on the south by Cedar or South Street. The adjoining districts of Spring Garden, Penn, Northern Liberties, Kensington, and Richmond, on the north, West Philadelphia, &c., on the west, and Southwark, Moyamensing, &c, on the south, though governed by their own municipal authorities, ought always to be considered as forming a portion of the city, in a general and descriptive view. The length of Philadelphia, from the lower part of South wark to Richmond, is about five miles ; its breadth, at Market Street (its narrowest part), is two miles.

The soil is the very best for building purposes, consisting principally, of clay of various colours and degrees of tenacity, beneath which, at different depths, of from five to twenty feet, is found coarse gravel. LOCATION AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 17 Philadelphia is, perhaps, the most healthy city in the United States. The air is sweet and clear, the sky serene and seldom overcast. The streets are wide and airy, crossing at right angles ; they surpass all others in the world, in their convenience for trade and accommodation for passengers, and are well paved and kept remarkably clean. At night they are well lighted with gas. This metropolis is not celebrated for her palaces, yet she possesses some edifices remarkable for both grandeur and beauty. Her buildings are more distinguished for their neatness and comfort.

This applies to both public buildings and private dwellings. It is the ambition of many an American belle, to be mistress of a " Philadelphia three-story brick." To live within his own family free from interruption, contest, or in trusion, to have his house clean and comfortable, his apart ments adapted to their several purposes, and in every respect convenient, is our citizen's delight; to effect all these, the builder exerts his utmost skill. There is — and we say it without fear of contradiction — no other city, the inhabitants of which enjoy so many of the accommodations art can afford, as those of Philadelphia. Let foreigners talk of their splendid palaces, mansions, and rich dwellings; theirs is but the parade of pomp and vanity, ours is social comfort. Most of the houses in this city are built on a uniform plan, being generally three stories high.

Within the last few years, however, there has been a decided advance in the style of building, and our streets are now being adorned with edifices that are unrivalled for taste, elegance, and convenience. The original plan of this city was made by Thomas Holmes, and surveyed in 1683, in which nine principal streets were laid out running cast and west, and twenty running north and south. Market, or High Street, intended for the principal dwellings, is 100 feet wide, Broad is 113, Arch, or Mulberry, ■-> x 66, Front 60, and the rest 50 feet wide. The intermediate streets were subsequently laid out. For a correct plan of all of which, see the accompanying map. Dock Street is the only one not crossed at right angles in the city. This marks the course of the once "Dock Creek." In olden times, trade and commerce, to a considerable extent, centred along its banks ; vessels came up as far as Third Street.

Early writers speak frequently of the " beautiful prospect along the green banks of the pretty Dock Creek." In the winter, it was a fine " skating-place for the boys." Subsequently tan-yards, &c, took up their location here, soon rendering it a place " dan gerous to the health of the city." It was finally filled up in 1784. In the original plan, Penn desired to preserve a clear view of the River Delaware from Front Street, restricting the buildings east of it to the height of the banks. What a noble promenade and exchange walk this would have formed ! It was also his intention " that each house should stand in the middle of its lot, so as to leave room for a garden, &c., that Philadelphia might be a green country town, which might never be burned down, and always be wholesome !" What a splendid appearance our streets would now present, if this idea had been carried out !

However, we must take the city as it is, and be thankful that it is so; for few can rival it in the health, comfort, pleasure, and happiness of its inhabitants. Our city is not so thickly populated, for its extent, as some others. The streets are wide, and the inhabitants of every class enjoy more room than usual in large cities. Not only the merchant, wealthy manufacturer, and persons well to do in the world, occupy each an entire dwelling, hut tradesmen of the most humble class can have a house to themselves. In 1840, the population of the city and county was 258,037 ; at present it is about 440,000. The total number of dwelling houses in Philadelphia is about 60,000. THE COAL TRADE. The wonderful increase of the city can be estimated by the fact, that there has been, on an average, over 3500 buildings erected annually for the past three years.

During the last year our commerce has increased rapidly. At present there are one line of first class steamers and four lines of sailing packets plying between this port and Liverpool. One line of two fine steamers, running to Charleston, South Carolina. One, viz., the Union Steamship Company, between Philadelphia, Norfolk, Petersburg, and Richmond, Virginia. One to Boston, viz., the Philadelphia and Boston Steam Packet line, of two splendid vessels. One to Hartford, Con necticut, two to New York, viz., the New York and Phila delphia Independent Steamship line, via Cape May, and the Philadelphia and New York Steam Transportation Company's Merchants' and Swiftsure line, and one to Baltimore. Most of these vessels have been built in Philadelphia, and are unsurpassed as substantial sea-boats.

The total number of ships, barques, brigs, schooners, steamers, barges, &c, entered in this port during the last year, was about 30,000. The value of imports, during the same period, $14,500,000. The Coal Trade. — During the year 1850, the total value of anthracite coal sent to market at tidewater, amounted to over sixteen million dollars. Who can estimate the immense in crease of this valuable trade twenty years hence, when steam, to a great extent, shall have taken the place of sails, in vessels navigating the ocean aud our extended coast . The following statement shows the present extent of this branch of domestic commerce. The quantity of coal sent to market from the Lehigh in 1850 was 7,029,002 tons. From the Schuylkill, 15,176,623 tons. Lackawanna, 4,390,098 tons. Pine Grove, 525,733 tons.

Lukeus Valley, 96,935. Shamokin, 164,430 tons. Wyoming, 1,614,571,— being a total of 28,998,286 tons. Showing an increase over the preceding year, of 97,506 tons. The increase for the years 1851-52, will, it is evident from present appear ances, be much larger. The manufactures of the metropolis are very important, both as regards their magnitude and value ; indeed, the manu facturing facilities of Philadelphia are unrivalled. Her vicinity abounds in immense water-power, and coal is to be obtained from our own mines at a low price. These, with the advantages of a home market, must continue to offer inducements to the manufacturer that cannot be equalled elsewhere. The goods and wares manufactured here consist of every variety. Articles of elegant use are brought to more than the ordinary degree of perfection.

The following statement, showing the capital invested in manufacturing, value of the raw material consumed, number of hands employed, wages paid, and the value of the annual product of this branch of industry in this City and Districts, during the year ending June 1st, 1850, is taken from the Census returns, furnished us by A. E. Roberts, Marshal of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, viz. : Capital invested in manufacturing, $32,737,911 ; value of the raw material used, including fuel, &e., $33,515,366; average number of male hands employed, 43,304; average number of females employed, 14,804 ; average monthly cost of male labour, $1,062,799 ; average monthly cost of female labour, $208,584 ; value of the annual products, $62,815,011. These estimates embrace only those establishments pro ducing articles to the annual value of over $500.