tianity, therefore, these ignorant people almost necessarily connected the unprincipled and profligate lives of the traders, as being often the only, and always the prominent, examples of what they supposed to be the proper effects of the Christian religion.*

To these great causes must, in certain cases, be added a third, which sometimes was not inferiour to either in its efficacy: I mean the very censurable character of that class of men, who usually plant themselves upon the frontier of the English settlements; a class, composed principally of the foresters heretofore described. These men almost of course alienate the minds of the Indians from every thing, adopted by the Colonists.

Independently of these causes, there is nothing in the Indian eharacter, which can rationally discourage efforts for their conversion. They are savages it is true; and a savage life is hostile to religion; but how often has christianity triumphed over this obstacle. What I especially intend is, that there is nothing of a peculiar nature in their circumstances which would make their conversion more hopeless and difficult, than that of other savages. Of this, decisive proof is furnished in the facts, which have been already stated. A strong illustration of the same proof is also exhibited in the remarkable success of the excellent Brainard; who at Cross-week-sung, converted by his preaching, so far as the human eye can judge, seventy-five Indians, out of one hundred, to the faith and obedience of the Gospel, within twelve months. What Minister can boast of greater success in any Congregation of civilized life! Such a fact is a flaming proof, that the difficulty, here complained of, does not lie in the mere character of these people.

Yarmouth was incorporated in 1639. In 1790, it contained 2,678 inhabitants: Dennis being then included within its limits.

*The same effects are produced in the minds of the Hindoos, by the loose lives of the British inhabitants of Hindostan. The most solid, the most operative, objection brought by them against the Christian religion; and that which is obviated with the greatest difficulty; has been derived from this source. The Mexicans made the same objection, and as they thought irresistibly, against the religion that was taught them by the Spaniards. The inhabitants of Tanjore, after having been a short time witnesses of the life of Schwartz, never thought of questioning either the reality or the excellence of his religion.

In 1800, Yarmouth alone contained 1,727; and, in 1810, 2,134. Of Dennis we saw little except the ground on which we rode, and occasional extensions of our prospect over the neighbouring country. Of the houses and inhabitants we saw few; and those distinguished by no peculiarity. A considerable part of the road from Yarmouth to Orleans, where we lodged, is hilly and unpleasant. The soil is principally lean; the verdure faded prematurely; the forests, which in Dennis extend along the road in one place three miles, are low and unthrifty; and the surface, though sufficiently varied, destitute of beauty. The views of the bay, and the tidy, comfortable appearance of the houses, are, here, almost the only objects, which can gratify the eye of a traveller. On the Northern shore the soil is said to be better. Rye, Indian corn, and onions, are said to grow well; and are cultivated in greater quantities, than are necessary for the consumption of the inhabitants.

The highest land in the County of Barnstable, is Scargo Hill, in this township.

The following account of the Salt works in Barnstable County is taken from the Collections of the Historical Society of Massachusetts, Vol. viii. page 138.

You are to be informed, that these feet denote the area of the several vats, contained in each salt work; and that a foot has, here, a singular meaning, and denotes ten actual feet. The real amount af the whole area of the vats, erected on this peninsula, was, in the year 1802, 1,213,130 square feet. It was calculated that these works would yield, annually, 40,438 bushels of marine salt, and 181,969, pounds of Glauber's salt; worth in the whole $41,701 56: of which the marine salt, valued at 75 cents a bushel, amounts to $30,323 50; and the Glauber's salt, valued at 6 cents per lb. to $11,373 06.

Captain John Sears of Dennis was the first and principal author of this method of manufacturing salt; and is to be considered as one of the benefactors of his country; particularly as he persevered in bringing the design to perfection, in spite of the sneers and ridicule of his neighbours; weapons often employed in a very shameful, though successful, manner to discourage useful inventions.

There is a flourishing village on Bass river; running between Yarmouth and Dennis on the South side of the peninsula.

Dennis was incorporated in 1793. In 1800, it contained 188 dwelling-houses, and 1,408 inhabitants; and, in 1810, 1,739.

Harwich presents a handsomer aspect than any other town after Barnstable. It is situated on an easy declivity towards the South, and has a tolerably good soil. The verdure was more vivid, and the agriculture more successful. The houses are generally such as have been already described.*

Orleans is not greatly distinguished by any thing from Harwich, except that it is much inferiour in pleasantness of appearance. The soil also is lighter, and apparently less productive. On Pocket neck, however, lying upon the South, it is much better than in the main body of the township; and on Pocket island in Pleasant bay is still better. In the body of the township twelve bushels of

* In the year 1803, the township of Harwich was divided, and the first parish incorporated by the name of Brewster. This is the part through which we travelled. In the year 1790, the township contained 2,392 inhabitants, and, in 1800, 2,987. In the year 1810, the present Harwich contained 1,942, and Brewster 1,112. 3,054.

maize and eight of rye are the average crop on the neck from fifteen to twenty of maize and from eight to twelve of rye: and on the island twenty bushels of maize without the aid of manure. Old men and boys are principally the husbandmen: the middle aged and young men are chiefly employed in fishing. Clams are the bait, used by the fishermen of which from six hundred to a thousand barrels are collected here in a single season. In this business many poor people find employment and subsistence. Very little wood grows in this township. Imported wood and peat are the fuel of the inhabitants. The township is divided into scattered plantations.

Orleans was formerly a part of Eastham; and was incorporated in 1797. In 1800, it contained 1,095 inhabitants; and, in 1810, 1,248. I am, Sir, yours, &c.

LETTER X.

Eastham-Truro-Province Town-Beach grass, its utility-Soil very thin, and blown away from the white sand beneath-Manners and habits of the inhabitants of Province Town-Its fisheries and harbour-Wellfleet-Return to Harwich. -Inn-keeper.

Dear Sir,

We left our comfortable inn in Orleans, September 29th; and rode to Province Town through Eastham, Wellfleet, and Truro : thirty miles. When we had proceeded half a mile on our journey, the road turned to the North, and thence to the North-West; this spot being the elbow of the peninsula. In Eastham the surface became a perfect plain; and the peninsula so narrow, that we had a full view of Massachusetts bay, and the Atlantic, at the same time. The bay was every where magnificent, and on the North, was, like the ocean, without limits. We were, therefore, presented with the prospect of two immense oceans, separated only by a strip of land, three miles in breadth. Few spots on a continent unite two such objects in a single view.

In Eastham the cultivation of the earth was a point of perceptibly less consequence than in Orleans. The soil was visibly more barren; the fields were large, as if owned in common by many proprietors; the fences were low, as if little danger was apprehended from cattle; and large tracts were left unenclosed. All these appearances increased until, at the distance of perhaps six miles from Orleans, we entered a forest, composed at first of oaks, and afterwards of oaks and pines; still lower and leaner than any, which we had seen before. This forest lasts without intermission to Wellfleet, and with very little to the borders of Truro. At first the ground is high, but level. After we had travelled a few miles, it became broken into hills and vallies. On the Eastern side of this township, however, there is a tract of very good land, containing about two hundred acres, probably the best in this County; yielding, when well manured, from thirty to forty-five bushels of maize, and from twenty to thirty bush