PHILADELPHIA.

The ground on which it ſtands, was leſs than a century ago, in a ſtate of wild nature; covered with wood, and inhabited by Indians. It has in this ſhort time, been raiſed, as it were, by magic power, to the eminence of an opulent city, famous for its trade and commerce, crouded in its port, with veſſels of its own producing, and viſited by others from all parts of the world. Its ſituation on the bank of the Delaware, lies about 40 degrees north from the equator, and about 75 degrees weſt from London, on the weſt ſide of the river, about 40 leagues from the ſea. Its plan was laid out by William Penn, and was confirmed by charter, on the 25th of October, 1701. This Work will ſtand as a memorial of its progreſs for the firſt century; the buildings, of any conſequence, are generally included, and the ſtreet-ſcenes all accurate as they now ſtand; the choice of ſubjects are thoſe that give the moſt general idea of the town; the ſcenery is confined within the limits of the city, excepting the firſt and laſt views: the frontiſpiece repreſents, with the city at large, a buſy preparation for commerce, and the laſt plate, with the Swediſh church, the exertion of naval architecture to protect it; each ſubject terminating at the oppoſite extremities of the ſuburbs, on the bank of the river.

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I was thrilled to get from far-off Melbourne, Australia a poster-ſize blowup of an ancient map of my very own city, along with a bound facſimile of the illuſtrated work it was taken from. The ſtreets continue to exiſt much as depicted, and many of the buildings in the book are ſtill around and are very familiar to me. One is even the hoſpital my daughter was born in! Thanks very much, Cpt_Robbo. A very thoughtful gift and much appreciated.