Page:Historic highways of America (Volume 11).djvu/113

This page has been validated.
PENNSYLVANIA ROAD
109

over, like a cow chewing the cud; but then it is not quite so desirable in disagreeable weather.[1]

"We had not proceeded far on our journey before we began to encounter some of those inconveniences to which every person who travels in this country in winter time is exposed. The roads, which in general were very bad, would in some places be impassable, so that we were obliged to get out and walk a considerable distance, and sometimes to 'put our shoulders to the wheel;' and this in the most unpleasant weather, as well as in the midst of mire and dirt. However, we did manage to get twelve miles to breakfast; and after that, to a little place called Bush, about thirteen miles farther, to dinner; and about nine o'clock at night we came to Havre de Grace, about twelve miles further,

  1. "In these stages," as Brissot [Jean Pierre Brissot de Warville, New Travels in the United States (London, 1794)] observes, "you meet with men of all professions. The member of congress is placed by the side of the shoemaker who elected him; they fraternise together, and converse with familiarity. You see no person here take upon him those important airs which you too often meet with in England."—Baily.