huge cavities below, the whole torrent vanishes from our sight; but stepping to another precipice a few yards distant, we behold the same torrent emerging from it subterraneous course and rushing into a large basin, or cavern, formed in the rock. This basin contains forty fathoms of water, and is never full, but its rocky walls on all sides ascend sixty feet above 'the surface of the water. Such is the astonishing depth of this receptacle, that the water neither foams nor forms whirlpools by the rushing current, but is calm and undisturbed. From this basin the water rushes through its outlet, reassumes the form of a river, and in majestic silence pursues its course towards the sea. In the afternoon we were invited to visit another curiosity in the neighborhood. This is a monster in the human form. He is twenty seven years of age, his face from the upper part of his forehead to the end of his chin, measures twenty inches, and round the upper part of his head is twenty one inches, his eyes and nose are remarkably large and prominent, chin long and pointed. His features are coarse, irregular and disgusting, and his voice is rough and sonorous. His body is only twenty seven inches in length, his limbs are small, and much deformed, and he has the use of one hand only. He has never been able to stand, or sit up, as he cannot support the enormous weight of his head; but lies constantly in a large cradle, with his head supported on pillows. visited by great numbers of people, and is peculiarly fond of the company of clergymen, always inquiring for them among his visitors, and taking great pleasure in receiving religious instruction. General Washington made him a visit, and asked, "whether he was a whig or tory?" He replied, that "he had never taken an active part on either side." He is 5th.-I took an excursion a few miles into the country, to visit the surgeons of the flying hospital; took tea at their quarters, with a wealthy Dutch family, and was treated with great civility. They live in a style superior to the Low Dutch in general; the table was amply furnished with cherries, raspberries and other fruits, which abound in this country. 10th.-The officers of our regiment, and those of Colonel Webb's, united in providing an entertainment, and invited a respectable number of gentlemen of our brigade to dine; Dr. West and myself were appointed caterers and superintendents. We erected a large arbor, with the boughs of trees, under which we enjoyed an elegant dinner, and spent the afternoon in social glee, with some of the wine which was taken from the enemy when they retreated from Elizabethtown. Our drums and fifes afforded us a favorite music till evening, when we were delighted with the song composed by Mr. Hopkinson, called the "Battle of the Kegs," sung in the best style by a number of gentlemen. 14th. An express has arrived at head quarters, from Rhode Island, with the pleasing information of the arrival there of a French fleet, accompanied by an army of six thousand regular French troops, who are to co-operate with our army as allies in our cause. They are commanded by Count Rochambeau, a distinguished general in the French service. 20th.-In general orders, the Commander in Chief congratulates the army, on the arrival of a large land and naval armament at Rhode Island, sent by his Most Christian Majesty, to co-operate with us against the common enemy. The lively concern which our allies manifest for our safety and independence, has a claim to the affection of every virtuous citizen. The general, with confidence assures the army, that the officers and men of the French forces, come to our aid animated with a zeal founded in sentiment for us, as well as in duty to their prince, and that they will do every thing in their power to promote harmony and cultivate friendship; he is equally persuaded on our part, that we shall vie with them in their good disposition, to which we are excited by gratitude as well as by common interest,-and that the only contention between the two armies will be to excel each other in good offices, and in the display of every military virtue. This will be a pledge of the most solid advantage to the common cause, and a glorious issue to the campaign. The Commander in Chief has recommended to the officers of our army, to wear cockades of black and white, intermixed, as a symbol of friendship for our French allies, who wear white cockades. 22d.-The officers of our regiment received an invitation to dine with Major General Lord Stirling. We were introduced to his Lordship by Colonel Jackson, and were received with great civility and politeness. Colonel Biddle and his lady were of the guests. Our entertainment was sumptuous and elegant. After the covers were removed, the servants brought in pails filled with cherries and strawberries, which were strewed over the long table; with these, and excellent wine, accompanied by martial music, we regaled ourselves till evening. This gentleman's proper name is William Alexander, and he is a native of the State of New York. He visited Scotland in pursuit of the title and estate of an earldom, which he claimed as the rightful heir of his ancestor, who had this title, and a grant of Nova Scotia, anno, 1621. In this pursuit, he expended a large proportion of his fortune, but failed in obtaining an acknowledgment of his claim by the government; yet, by courtesy, he bears the title of Lord Stirling. He is considered as a brave, intelligent and judicious officer. In the battle on Long Island in August, 1776, he unfortunately fell into the hands of the enemy; but it occasioned no impeachment of his character and conduct. He possesses the genuine principles of patriotism, and is strongly attached to General Washington. He disclosed to the Commander in Chief, the intrigue of General Conway, when in 1777, he attempted to supersede his Excellency, saying in his letter, "such wicked duplicity of conduct, I shall always think it my duty to detect." In his personal appearance, his lordship is venerable and dignified; in his deportment, gentlemanly and graceful; in conversation, pleasing and interesting. He is said to be ambitious of the title of lordship. Being present at the execution of a soldier for desertion, the criminal at the gallows repeatedly cried out, "the Lord have mercy on me;" his lordship with warmth exclaimed, "I won't, you rascal, I won't have mercy on you." 23d.-Sunday I attended a sermon preached by Mr. Blair, chaplain of the artillery. The troops were paraded in the open field, the sermon was well calculated to inculcate religious principles, and the moral virtues. His Excellency General Washington, Major Generals Greene and Knox, with a number of other officers, were present. August.-Orders are given for the army to be in readiness for a movement. According to orders, our brigade marched from Prackanes on the 29th of July, and encamped at Paramus at night, fifteen miles. The men were exceedingly affected with the heat and fatigue. We marched on the succeeding day at two o'clock in the morning; at this early hour, the drums beat the reveille, which summons us from our hard beds and slumbers, in haste we roll up our travelling bed furniture, strike our tents, order them thrown into the wagons, mount our horses, and with a slow pace follow the march of our soldiers, bending under the weight of the burden on their backs. We arrived at the North river and crossed the ferry, August 1st, where we found the whole of our main army collecting to a point. All the troops from West Point that can be spared, and detachments from different * His lordship died at Albany, January 15th, 1783, aged fifty seven years. stations, have formed a junction in this vicinity. Two brigades have been selected from the different regiments in the main army, to form a corps of light infantry, to be commanded by the Marquis de la Fayette. They have been reviewed by the Commander in Chief and other general officers, on the grand parade, and are pronounced to be as excellent a corps as can be produced in any army. The Marquis is delighted with his command, and is at his own expense providing for them some extra equipments. It is understood, that General Clinton has despatched a part of the British fleet and army on an expedition against our allies, the French fleet and army at Rhode Island. The whole of our army having crossed to the east side of the Hudson, it is conjectured that his Excellency contemplates some important enterprize against the enemy at New York, or at least to compel General Clinton to recall his expedition from Rhode Island, for his own safety. Our Commander in Chief has ordered that the army disencumber itself of all heavy baggage, which with the women and children, are to be immediately sent to West Point, and that the troops have constantly two days provisions cooked on hand, and hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's warning. Such is our condition for order and regularity, that the whole army, which occupies an extent of several miles, can be put in motion, and take up a line of march in less than one hour. The horses belonging to our baggage wagons, and to the artillery, are constantly in harness, and those belonging to the officers are kept in readiness; every man, and every horse are taught to know their place and their duty. Marching orders, so soon as issued, are communicated to each brigade and regiment. The whole line of encampment resounds with martial music, all is bustle and activity, but free from confusion. The drums and fifes beating a march, the tents are instantly struck and thrown into wagons, the line of march |