or coal fires; she simply turns on the electric current when needed and cooks the dinner without fuss or worry. Electric fans turned by the power that cooks her dinner and lights her house make the atmosphere of the midsummer day delightful and refreshing. There is no longer any triweekly churning to try one's temper, for the near-by creamery converts the cream into butter by the latest and most approved methods. Even the drinking water is pumped up from artesian wells by electricity, and supplied in a cool and refreshing stream to all who ask for it.

The model farm thus electrically installed must naturally be a mammoth affair, for all the improvements and inventions required can only pay for themselves when operated upon a large scale. But a farm ten miles square can be conducted with less labor and less friction by the new method than a hundred-acre one could by the slow systems of past years. Distance has been annihilated on the place by the introduction of the electric motors, and one may ride around his farm before noon and in

spect all the works without half the labor formerly required. Good roads. must of necessity run in all directions, cutting the farm up into large sections, so that any part of it can be reached in a comparatively short time.

The difficulty of finding streams of water large enough to produce all the electricity needed on such a farm will occur to those living in the great prairie regions; but now that science has found a way to conduct the electric current a long distance, this obstacle is easily overcome. The water power of the Niagara, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Spokane, the Columbia and many smaller rivers may be employed to manufacture the electricity for agricultural purposes. The current can be conducted through the rich farming regions, and distributed to all willing to pay for it. The cost to each individual would be much less than half what is now required to run the steam plows, threshing machines, reapers and other heavy farm implements. The money saved on the board of horses would alone pay for the use of the electric power.

canal boat or an old stagecoach is often more instructive and suggestive than pages of description and statistics. A few pages of Arthur Young illuminate and make real to us much that we are told by economic historians. There has recently fallen into my hands through the kindness of Mr. Henry Booth of Poughkeepsie a manuscript account of a business trip made seventy years ago, that is similarly instructive, because such a graphic picture of the past. It contains many observations upon the state of manufactures, the general economic development of the

country, and the condition of the factory operatives in the early part of this century, that are worthy of record.

In 1827-28 Chandler Holbrook of Poughkeepsie was sent by the Manhattan Fire Insurance Company of New York to make a survey of the textile factories in the greater part of the eastern United States. It might It might be assumed that he was not appointed without some qualifications for the work, and we have his own statement: "I have been somewhat acquainted with manufactures for eighteen years." He continually shows himself a careful, independent and trained observer. The manuscript consists of his private diary and of copies of letters sent to the president of the company. The first record in his diary is October 27, 1827, and the last letter is dated October 3, 1828.

"I left the city on the 26th of October, 1827. Arriving at Poughkeepsie, I took my horse and gig and proceeded to Sharon in Connecticut. and in a direction through that state to Springfield in Massachusetts, then up the Connecticut River to Northfield, where I crossed into New Hampshire. Then, visiting every factory of any notoriety in that state, I proceeded to Saco in Maine, and on to Winthrop, about ten miles above Hallowell, on the Kennebec. Returning through Portland, Portsmouth and Boston, I then bent my way to Thompson in Connecticut and, pursuing a circuitous route, I again found myself in Worcester County in Massachusetts, and after a stay of several days among the manufactures there I again returned to Connecticut and by way of Hartford, New Haven, etc., returned to New York. My next tour was up the east side of the Hudson to Troy and Schaghticoke, from thence to Bennington, Vermont, then to Glens Falls on the Hudson and down to Waterford, thence to Schenectady and westward to Oneida. County, northward to Watertown and Brownville, then to Auburn and west to Rochester. From this place I went

to the falls of Niagara and returned to Rochester and, by way of Manlius, Chittengo, etc., to Utica, from there to Otsego County and down the west side of the Hudson through the counties of Greene, Ulster, Orange and Rockland to New York.

"My last journey was direct to Baltimore, and after visiting all the factories within twenty miles of that city, which comprise all of any notoriety in Maryland, I returned and made similar examinations in Delaware and Pennsylvania. Except those in Trenton, I have seen none in New Jersey. Thus I have been through the various parts of the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland, and also crossed the Niagara River into Canada. By reference to my journal of courses and distances I find that I have travelled 4,628 miles. . . . The number of factories visited is of cotton 143 and of woollen 28."

This itinerary is significant because it indicates roughly the textile manufacturing districts of the country at that time. His average daily journey, omitting Sundays, was only about sixteen miles. The average is lower than it would have been because of many delays on account of the weather and because of one or two short vacations. Still his usual day's journey, when he was actually at work, was not over twenty or thirty miles. Nor was this due to idleness, for he was a most industrious worker, often writing until after eleven o'clock until eyes or candles gave out. The entire work done in the year could be done now in a few weeks, probably. Another inconvenience was the slowness of communication, waiting for directions being not infrequent and letters always uncertain in their arrival.

Nearly all the journey was made by means of his own horse and gig. His accounts of the roads recall the emphatic language of Arthur Young's Tours. "Intolerable rough," "tremen

bad-did not arrive in New York until nearly eight P. M."

dous bad," "most awful bad" are common descriptions, while "Mechanicsville to Waterford is the worst road I have ever seen," and the road from Rochester, New York, to Whitesboro is "intolerably bad." It took three days' hard driving to cover the sixtyeight miles between New York and Matteawan in February. Saturday, May 3, "Left Onandagua and rode to Syracuse to breakfast. This being a rainy day, as usual for many days past, put up for the day. The constant bad roads for a long distance and hard driving have fairly beat out my poor little horse. He is as poor as a snake and his spirits have entirely failed him, in addition to which his back and breast are badly galled. The roads from Rochester to this place have. been intolerable." No wonder he wrote his employer: "Until there is a new coinage of words, I shall be unable to find any one that will convey any idea of the bad roads that I have had to encounter." Occasional mention of a log road is made, and one near Rome, New York, was twenty miles long. Two or three times he took advantage of steamboats, as between Troy and Albany, Baltimore and Philadelphia, and Philadelphia and Wilmington. The steamboat seems to have lost its novelty, for he mentions it casually, although possibly it was regarded as a somewhat dangerous means of conveyance, for he says: "After dinner took the steamboat for Philadelphia, where I arrived." Once or twice, as at Morristown, New Jersey, the canal boat was available. Holbrook took the stage from New York at six in the morning and reached Philadelphia at nine or ten in the evening; but the return was not so expeditious, for he says: “Left Philadelphia for New York about. eleven A. M. Before we arrived at Princeton we capsized our coach with seven passengers-one was badly hurt. Poor I again got my head bruised. We lodged that night at Princeton. Sunday at seven we left Princeton-the travelling very

Accidents were perhaps not so serious as in these days of railroad travel, but they were frequent in proportion to the distance travelled. "My horse got loose and ran about a mile over a rough, hilly road to the meetinghouse, where he was stopped by a man and brought back. The cushion was lost, but no other damage appears to have befallen us, that is, me and my horse and gig-no upsetting or breaking anything. My cushion was returned me in the evening. My expense for bringing back horse, gig and cushion, seventy-nine cents." "In leaving Falmouth, it being very dark and slippery, I unfortunately capsized my gig and came with my head to the ground and was somewhat bruised and three slight cuts nearly through the skin on my temple. With much difficulty my horse was extricated, and not being able to ascertain how much damage was sustained and my head bleeding, I concluded to remain there for the night. . . . My capsize has caused me some pain and I have felt quite indisposed all day. My damage was in a pecuniary point but seventyfive cents, but how long I shall go with my head bound up is uncertain. I shall leave Maine without regret." Town streets were not of the best. "In riding [horseback] along the streets of Lansingburgh, my horse suddenly started, and down came 'Pil Garlic' where the mud was almost knee deep. Never was a more awful predicament seen. I was flat on my back, my horse jumping, one foot in the stirrup, which soon came to the ground or rather the mud. Keeping fast hold the bridle, I supported myself, and found when I was fairly up I had not been fairly in the mud. I let my horse take care of himself and I sculled to the shore or rather pavement." There were other hindrances. "In crossing the Androscoggin I was detained an hour and one-quarter, exposed to severe cold, and it was dangerous getting in and out of the

boat"; and at another ferry in Maine, "it was very difficult to get on board the scow on account of the ice." On January 21 he was not able to cross the Connecticut on account of floating ice. Occasionally he lost his way.

Of the inns he has comparatively little to say, except that he went to a "publick house." In York, Maine, he wrote: "This I can say with truth was the most indifferent public house I have found since I left home." On January 16 he "put up at the United States Hotel" in Hartford, Connecticut, but the next day went to the City Hotel; "the United States Hotel charges too high for me. One dollar One dollar twelve one-hundredths more than I paid for the same time and better accommodation in Portsmouth, N. H." As already indicated, Mr. Holbrook was not fond of Maine. In one letter indicating his route, he says: "Into Maine and out of it as soon as convenient." t." Again, "I cannot hear of much in Maine, and am doubtful whether a journey below Saco will be of any advantage"; and finally, "I am much pleased with your request to leave this part of the country, and shall start immediately."

But there was a brighter side to his journey. On November 12 he wrote that, notwithstanding the bad roads, he had made 650 miles in the four weeks past. Sometimes the roads were "very good" or "quite tolerable." "I rode on to Wells, nine miles, the most of the way in view of the blue waves of ocean. At Wells is a beautiful view of the water, the waves rolling in upon the beach in the most sublime grandeur. A few fishing boats were riding apparently at ease. Fish

are here caught in abundance-the finest of rock cod. From this place commenced a good road; and from this place to Kennebunk, 10 miles, I rode in one hour. At Kennebunk I stopped and had an excellent dinner; remained an hour and a half and left for Saco, distance ten miles, which I rode in one and a quarter hours."

"Left the Syracuse House-one of

the most elegant hotels in the United States. The main building is four stories, standing on a corner of the intersection of two streets, having two wings extending which form an obtuse angle. These are two stories. The whole is of brick painted white. On both fronts of the main building is a portico and railing for each story; on the roof a handsome balustrade, and on the top of the building a cupola with a bell. The rooms are well furnished and the hotel well kept and charges moderate." Courtesy to strangers seems to have been frequently lacking. In Newmarket, New Hampshire, "a gentleman observing I was a stranger accosted me at the door and invited me to walk into the reading-room opposite. I cordially accepted his invitation and tendered him my most hearty thanks for such unusual politeness." But Mr. Holbrook seems to have had little time for pleasures. "This evening for a great variety was spent in social intercourse with an elderly gentleman"; and after two months' travel his diary says, "Passed an hour or two very pleasantly, being the only social hours I have spent with one exception." But in February, while examining Baldwin and Wild's factory in Kinderhook, he writes: "Was very politely requested to dine with Mr. Wild, who also requested my staying with him as long as I shall stay in the village. The same request was made by Mr. Baldwin, with whom I took supper. have never met with such particular attention since I commenced my peregrinations." At Watertown he "went for a short time into the ballroom, where was music and dancing"; and at Rochester "went to the circus, where was a very full house." In Windham, Connecticut, New Year's day, 1828, he "in the evening went down to the ballroom for a short time, and was very politely received by the company, a good list provided for me, politely urged to partake of the supper and other refreshments. This was a large party, nearly one hundred

I

ladies being present. Wrote this night till one-half past twelve." Two or three days after he writes: "Loaned my gig in the evening to a young gentleman to ride on a very interesting visit. The terms on which I lent him the gig were 'he was to kiss the pretty girl for me,' which he promised faithfully to do, and produced a certificate to that effect in the morning."

But the change in methods of travel was at hand, and by a happy coincidence our traveller was present on one important occasion marking the inception of railroad transportation. His account is of some historic interest. Baltimore, July 4, 1828: "Had a view of the splendid procession which was formed of all the mechanics, trades and occupations in the city to lay the corner stone of the Ohio and Baltimore Railroad. This was the most splendid procession ever witnessed in this city. . . . Among the rest and upon whom devolved the duty of laying the corner stone was the venerable Charles Carroll of Carrollton, now in his 92d year and the last survivor of the signers the Declaration of Independence of these United States. His appearance does not indicate more than seventy years. The day passed off without accident, noise or confusion. The greatest order everywhere prevailed. Among other things which attracted attention were two wagons from the Union Cotton Factory loaded with the females from that establishment; one wagon had sixty, and the other forty, females. The day was unusually fine, the evening was uncomfortably cold. Through the day and evening I saw but one individual intoxicated."

of

There are comparatively few political references, and these concern the fierce struggle then going on over protection. It will be remembered that this winter was marked by the consideration and passage of the "tariff of abominations," which among other things doubled the duties on woollen goods. In a letter of the 21st of January, 1828, he speaks

of the "universal complaint of the unproductiveness of the woollen business." On October 27, 1827, at Germond's in Washington, Dutchess County, New York, he chanced upon a "Grand Convention" of "professing Republicans" for the nomination of candidates for the Assembly; and on February 18, 1828, he says: "At Mr. Germond's was a county convention for the purpose of passing resolutions against a revision of the tariff and opposed to any further protection on woollen goods. It was attended by the relatives and friends of Mr. J. J. Oakley, representative in Congress, and if these personal friends were stricken from the roll of those who cried ‘aye,' any man would say it was a [word illegible] convention." In November, 1827, he was refused information about a factory in Nashua, New Hampshire, "until after the tariff has passed," and he was evidently considered a spy. The woollen industry generally was not flourishing, while the cotton industry was most prosperous. New cotton mills were going up, and some woollen factories were being changed to cotton. The cotton manufacturers evidently looked upon the protective system with less favor, for one of them in Peterboro, New Hampshire, complained that the commodities consumed by the 253 operatives in his mill paid the government a duty of $1,500.

On February 17, services in memory of Clinton were held, and Mr. Holbrook gives an account of those in Poughkeepsie, where he chanced to be: "This day was appointed to deliver sermons on the death of Mr. Clinton, governor of the state of New York. Every pulpit was draped in mourning-black broadcloth sufficient to make a full suit for each clergyman, one Episcopalian, one Presbyterian, one Dutch Reformed, one Methodist, one Baptist. The services were performed in the Dutch church. In the morning, sermon from the Rev. Mr. Cuyler from this text: 'Hear the rod and him who hath ap