The object of this work is to give the busy reader in acceptable form such a comprehensive knowledge as he would like to have, of the geography, history, picturesque attractions, peculiarities, productions and most salient features of our great country. The intention has been to make the book not only a work of reference, but a work of art and of interest as well, and it is burdened neither with too much statistics nor too intricate prolixity of description. It covers the Continent of North America, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian Dominion and Alaska. It has been prepared mainly from notes specially taken by the author during many years of extended travel all over the United States and Canada. A method of treatment of the comprehensive subject has been followed which is similar to the plan that has proved acceptable in "England, Picturesque and Descriptive." The work has been arranged in twenty-one tours, each volume beginning at the older settlements upon the Atlantic seaboard; and each tour describing a route following very much the lines upon which a travelling sightseer generally advances in the respective directions taken. The book is presented to the public as a contribution to a general knowledge of our country, and with the hope that the reader, recognizing the difficulties of adequate treatment of so great a subject, may find in the interest it inspires, an indulgent excuse for any shortcomings. J. C. PHILADELPHIA, September, 1900. CONTENTS VOLUME I PAGE I. THE ENVIRONMENT OF CHESAPEAKE BAY, 3 II. THE GREAT THEATRE OF THE CIVIL WAR, 99 III. THE VALLEY OF THE DELAWARE, 143 IV. CROSSING THE ALLEGHENIES, 275 V. VISITING THE SUNNY SOUTH, 343 VI. TRAVERSING THE PRAIRIE LAND, 401 VII. GLIMPSES OF THE GREAT NORTHWEST, 447 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS VOLUME I PAGE In the Congressional Library, Washington, D.C. 24 Natural Bridge, Virginia 54 Washington Monument, Richmond, Va. 112 Penn's Letitia Street House, Removed to Fairmount Park 152 Loop of the Schuylkill from Neversink Mountains 188 Mauch Chunk 234 THE ENVIRONMENT OF CHESAPEAKE BAY. AMERICA, PICTURESQUE AND DESCRIPTIVE. I. THE ENVIRONMENT OF CHESAPEAKE BAY.