has also a recent addition, being what is called a drawing-room or observation car; this is the last on the train, and the end is fitted with glass, so that in riding along passengers in this car enjoy an uninterrupted view of the country they are leaving behind.  On this special train a ladies’ maid is provided for the convenience of ladies, and a stenographer, with his type-writing machine, occupies a seat in the vestibule of the drawing-room car to take down any urgent letters which business men may desire to post en route.  The observation car is supplied with a library for the use of passengers, and is fitted with plate-glass windows and easy chairs.  It has a platform where one can breathe the fresh air outside if desired.  There is also a smoking-room car.  On this special train the Stock Exchange reports of the New York and Philadelphia Exchanges are received and posted on the bulletin boards three times a day, and the weather reports are also posted.  The whole of the train is thoroughly well heated by steam pipes, and lighted by electricity.  The person in charge of a “sleeper” car is called the “porter;” he occupies a position, not like a porter on an English railway, but analagous to a steward on board ship.

On leaving New York I noticed that the suburbs contained many very small wooden houses, and the country had the appearance of many Colonial scenes I have witnessed—­the land looked like reclaimed prairie, which it probably is; and after passing many homesteads and villages we ran into Philadelphia at 12.20.  Philadelphia is the largest city, as to area, in the United States.  It is situate on the west bank of the Delaware River.  It is 22 miles long, and from 5 to 8 broad, comprising an area of 1,294 square miles.  It has over 900 miles of paved streets.  Philadelphia was founded by the celebrated William Penn, who went from England to America in 1682 A.D., and purchased the site of this great city from the Indians.  William Penn’s character was remarkable for his high sense of honour, and if the same principle had obtained throughout the history of the United States with the Indians, we should never have heard of any “Indian Difficulty.”  Penn presented the city with a charter in 1701.  The city, built upon lands honestly and liberally bought from the Indians, prospered greatly, and its population continued to increase until it now reaches something approaching 900,000.  Its chief source of wealth is from its manufactures, which embrace locomotives, and all kinds of ironware, ships, carpets, woollen and cotton goods, shoes, umbrellas, and books.  It has more buildings than any other city in that country, and, in point of commerce, ranks fourth among the cities of the United States.  I noticed that the suburbs of Philadelphia contained many handsome stone and brick residences.  I felt much interested in the connection with William Penn, because he is one of the ancestors of the Penn-Gaskells of England, who for many years have been valuable and much-respected clients of mine, and in numerous transactions I have noticed in them that beautiful trait of strict honour which gave William Penn a world-wide character, and has descended from him to them.