ly to understand their general
character, of which he gives no very flattering description. In these
huts, less than twenty feet square, he tells me that upwards of twenty
people have sometimes been lodged.

A description of a young lady who had formerly been insane, and now felt
the approach of a new fit of madness. She had been out to ride, had
exerted herself much, and had been very vivacious. On her return, she
sat down in a thoughtful and despondent attitude, looking very sad, but
one of the loveliest objects that ever were seen. The family spoke to
her, but she made no answer, nor took the least notice; but still sat
like a statue in her chair,--a statue of melancholy and beauty. At last
they led her away to her chamber.

We went to meeting this forenoon. I saw nothing remarkable, unless a
little girl in the next pew to us, three or four years old, who fell
asleep, with her head in the lap of her maid, and looked very pretty: a
picture of sleeping innocence.

* * * * *

_July 11th, Tuesday._--A drive with B---- to Hallowell, yesterday, where
we dined, and afterwards to Gardiner. The most curious object in this
latter place was the elegant new mansion of ----. It stands on the site
of his former dwelling, which was destroyed by fire. The new building
was estimated to cost about thirty thousand dollars; but twice as much
has already been expended, and a great deal more will be required to
complete it. It is certainly a splendid structure; the material, granite
from the vicinity. At the angles it has small, circular towers; the
portal is lofty and imposing. Relatively to the general style of
domestic architecture in our country, it well deserves the name of
castle or palace. Its situation, too, is fine, far retired from the
public road, and attainable by a winding carriage-drive; standing amid
fertile fields, and with large trees in the vicinity. There is also a
beautiful view from the mansion adown the Kennebec.

Beneath some of the large trees we saw the remains of circular seats,
whereupon the family used to sit before the former house was burned
down. There was no one now in the vicinity of the place, save a man and
a yoke of oxen; and what he was about, I did not ascertain. Mr. ---- at
present resides in a small dwelling, little more than a cottage, beside
the main road, not far from the gateway which gives access to his
palace.

At Gardiner, on the wharf, I witnessed the st