Boston, being the capital of New England, and the largest city in America, except two or three on the Spanish continent, I shall here subjoin a short account of it.

It is pleasantly situated, and about four miles in compass, at the bottom of Massachuset's Bay, into which there is but one common and safe passage, and not very broad, there being scarce room for the anchorage of 500 sail. It is guarded by several rocks, and above a dozen islands; the most remarkable of these islands is Castle Island, which stand: about a league from the town, and so situated that no ship of burden can approach the town, without the hazard of being shattered in pieces by its cannon. It is now called Fort William, and mounted with 100 pieces of ordnance; 200 more, which were given to the province by Queen Anne, are placed on a platform, so as to rake a ship fore and aft, before she can bring about her broadsides to bear against the castle. Some of these cannon are 42 pounders; 500 able men are exempted from all military duty in time of war, to be ready, at an hour's warning, to attend the service of the castle, upon a signal of the approach of an enemy, which there seems to be no great danger of at Boston; where in 24 hours time, 10,000 effective men, well armed, might be ready for their defence. According to a computation of the collectors of the Light-house, it appeared there were 24,000 tons of shipping cleared annually.

The pier is at the bottom of the bay, 2000 feet long, and runs so far into the bay, that ships of the greatest burden may unload without the help of boats or lighters. At the upper end of the chief street in the town, which comes down to the head of the pier, is the Town House, or Exchange, a fine building, containing, besides the walk for merchants, the Council Chamber, the House of Commons, and a spacious room for the Courts of justice. The Exchange is surrounded with booksellers' shops that have a good trade — here being five printing-houses, and the presses generally full of work, which is in a great measure owing to the colleges and schools in New England; and likewise at New York and Philadelphia, there are several

printing-houses lately erected, and booksellers constantly employed, as well as at Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, Barbadoes, and the Sugar Islands.

The town lies in the form of a half-moon, round the harbour, and consisting of about 4000 houses, must make an agreeable prospect; the surrounding shore being high, the streets long, and the buildings beautiful. The pavement is kept in so good order, that to gallop a horse on it is 3s. 4d. forfeit.

The number of inhabitants is computed at about 24,000.

There are eight churches, the chief of which is [called] the Church of England church; besides the Baptist Meeting, and the Quaker Meeting.

The conversation in this town is as polite as in most of the cities and towns in England. A gentleman of London would fancy himself at home at Boston, when he observes the number of people, their furniture, their tables, and dresses, which perhaps is as splendid and showy as that of most tradesmen in London.