crooked way, done on a sheet of about three feet square, which it would be difficult to describe-it is very curious and ingenious: the whole of the road is filled up with texts of Scripture, advertising the disciples of their duties, and the obligations their profession imposes upon them. Another represents the three heavens. In the first, Christ, the Shepherd, is represented gathering his flock together; in the second, which occupies one foot in height, and is three feet wide, three hundred figures, in the Capuchin dress, can be counted, with harps in their hands, and the heads of an innumerable host; and in the third is seen the throne, surrounded by two hundred archangels. Many of these Fractur-schrifftens express their own enthusiastic sentiments on the subject of celibacy, and the virtue of a recluse life, while others are devotional pieces.

The society owned a farm, a grist-mill, paper-mill, oil-mill, and fulling-mill. All the society's property was in common, and the labor of the members; but individual members were not compelled to relinquish private property which they might have held previous to joining the Fociety.

They receive the Bible as the only rule of faith and code of laws for church government. No monastic vows were taken, nor had they any written covenant. They believe in the divinity of Christ and the Trinity of the Godhead, and rely on the merits and atonement of the Saviour, and that he died for all who call upon his name and offer fruits of repentance. They contend for the observance of the original Sabbath. They hold on to the apostolic baptism, and administer trine immersion with the laying on of hands and prayer, while the recipient is kneeling in the water. They celebrate the Lord's Supper at night, in imitation of our Saviour, washing at the same time each other's feet, agreeably to his command and example. Celibacy they consider a virtue, but never require it, nor do they take any vows in reference to it. They never prohibited lawful intercourse, but when two concluded to be joined in wedlock, they were aided by the society. Celibacy, however, was always urged as more conducive to a holy life. They do not approve of paying their ministers a salary, thinking the gospel was sent without money or price—but share their own supplies with them.

It is not one of their customs to wear long beards, as is frequently said of them: this is more the case with the Dunkers and Mennonists. They are often represented as living on vegetables,-the rules of the

society forbidding meats, for the purpose of mortifying the natural appetite, and also as lying on wooden benches, with billets of wood for pillows, as an act of penance. The true reason and explanation of this matter is, that both were done from considerations of economy. Their circumstances were very restricted, and their undertaking great. They studied the strictest simplicity and economy in all their arrangements: wooden flagons, wooden goblets, and turned wooden trays, were used in administering the communion; and the same goblets are still in use, though they have been presented with more costly ones. Even the plates off of which they ate were octangular pieces of thin poplar boards; their forks and candlesticks were of wood, and also every other article that could be made of that material was used by the whole community. After they were relieved from the pressure of their expensive enterprise in providing such extensive accommoda tions, they enjoyed the cot for repose, and many other of the good things of life; though temperance in eating and drinking was scrupulously regarded.

Although opposed to bearing arms, they opened their houses cheerfully to succor and comfort the distressed inhabitants of Paxton and Tulpehocken during the old French war-for which the government rendered them its acknowledgments, and Gov. Penn offered them a whole manor of land, but they would not receive it. During the revolution they were decided whigs. After the battle of Brandywine the whole establishment was open to receive the wounded Americans; their Sabbath-school house was converted into an hospital; great numbers of the sick were transported here in wagons; the camp fever broke out among them, and one hundred and fifty were buried on the top of Mount Zion. Here their remains reposed unnoticed-unhonored and unsung-until a few years ago, when a subscription was set on foot, through the instrumentality of Mr. Konig macher, and a monument to their memory commenced on the 4th of July, 1843. The occasion was celebrated with much spirit. Thousands of people from all parts of the surrounding country were present, and participated in the ceremonies attending the laying of the cornerstone. Hon. Joseph R. Chandler, of Philadelphia, delivered an address,

MONUMENT AT EPHRATA.

EPHRATA

SPRINGS.

47

detailing and commenting upon the historical incidents involved. The monument is still in an unfinished state, but hopes are entertained that sufficient funds will soon be accumulated to accomplish the object intended.

The Ephrata Mountain Springs, kept by Joseph Konigmacher, Esq., are delightfully situated on the Ephrata Ridge. Here the South. Mountain is the dividing ridge, the waters on the south side run into the Chesapeake, and in the north to the Delaware. The water is pure, soft sandstone and slate; the temperature of the different springs is, some very cold, others more moderate, but for drinking or bathing, and its restorative qualities to health for diseased or frail constitutions, it is but seldom excelled. As a delightful summer resort it is extensively patronized; the superb variety of landscape scenery, and the lovely drives affording a pleasant succession of novel and beautiful views.

Passing two or three unimportant stations, (including that of KINZER'S, where there is a branch railway to STRASBURG, three miles distant) we reach the city of LANCASTER. This city has recently made much progress in improvement, and its population has been correspondingly increased. It is now nearly fourteen thousand, whereas, only a few years ago, it was but eight thousand. It is an old town, having been laid out in 1730 by Andrew Hamilton, proprietor of the land, and at that time one of the most influential men connected with the government. For the purpose of attracting population, the proprietor sold the lots at low and accommodating rates, subject to a small annual ground-rent. This had the effect of drawing together a large number of inhabitants, principally poor mechanics; and the town was composed almost entirely of small one-storied houses. The citizens, by their industry and frugality, gradually became the owners of the humble tenements they occupied, subject to the ground-rent mentioned. There were no large manufacturing establishments, but a large number of small ones, conducted solely on individual account. There were very few families of fortune, but these were unusually rich, and commanded an influence of corresponding extent. As one-storied houses always paid better, in view of the class of people to be accommodated, those who had money to invest in improvements, generally expended it in the erection of such buildings.

The original aspect of the town is still retained, to some extent; though there are now in full operation several of the largest cotton and iron establishments in the State. The erection of these magnificent industrial establishments has given an impulse and tone to the business of the place which it never knew before. Like many other county-seats, Lancaster long labored under the paralysing influences of a superfluous professional population-a population which, whatever its social merit, does nothing but consume, without contributing to the real productions or substantial wealth of a community. The place is still literally overrun with professional men—including a horde of smiling, friendly politicians, awaiting their "turn" for the suffrages of the "free and independent electors" of the "old guard." There is no county in the State-there is probably none in the Union-where more interest is manifested in political affairs; at the same time, it must be observed, there is none which has more offices to bestow! Lancaster has produced some of the most skilful practitioners in the