Edited by David H. Wallace The Theatre is a plain building but very neat in the inside. At this season Cooke & Cooper, the American Roscius, were contending for preeminence in the public opinion.8 In the one was remarked all the studied energies of ambition to eclipse his European competitor, while the other, careless whether he carried the palm or not, pursued the bent of his inclination & even staggering under the influence of wine obtained more applause for the natural correctness of his genius, in spite of prejudice, than his antagonist gained from the gracefulness of attitude and his laboured efforts at imitation. Although Philadelphia is esteemed to be the metropolis of America, strangers in general give the preference to New York. This may be owing to the immense number of foreigners established in N. Y., attracted thither by the advantages of its commercial importance, amongst which one generally find a number of their own countrymen with whom they are happier than with others. The people of Philadelphia are stiff in their manners & not so hospitable as those of New York and the city, being surrounded by the sea, affords more pleasing prospects than Pennsylvania. Long Island, which is separated from the main by the Eastern River, affords a delightful excursion to those who are fond of rural sports. The distance over to Brooklyn from New York is i % miles, where one can always be supplied with excellent carriages, made after the manner of the British post chaises. In autumn Long Island is celebrated for the quantity & excellence of its fruit, particularly the Newtown Pepin which is the most delicious of all apples. The gooseberry is likewise cultivated but it does not seem to thrive well with the soil. This is the only spot in America where grouse is to be found. It appears to be of the same class but of a different species from the Scotch moorfowl. They are not quite so large and the plumage is lighter than that of Scotland. Indeed all the species of game differ considerably from those found in Europe. The partridge is said to be found on the banks of the North River, but they are extremely rare. Many attempts have been made to introduce them into America but without effect. One sporting gentleman with whom I travelled, a Mr. Pollock of North Carolina, informed me that he was once at the expense of importing the eggs from France preserved in a certain manner, which he distributed among his friends all over the Union, but not one of them came out. It could scarcely be expected after having been tossed over the Atlantic. I have no doubt however, if proper measures were used to introduce them, that they would thrive well for the country affords abundance of cover. During our residence in New York we experienced in a great degree 'George Frederick Cooke (1756-1812) and Thomas Abthorpe Cooper (1776- 1849). The Anglo-American Cooper engaged the English star for a series of appearances in America in 1:810-1811. 271