Trees, which were just beginning to assume that beautiful change
of colour, produced by an American Autumn; & which,
if justly delineated in painting, would, to a European eye
appear fancy; yet painting cannot produce more
brilliant, or more varied colouring, than those exhibited by
an American Wood, from the middle of Sept. to the middle
of October, or, till a serious frost or heavy rains destroy them.
The great population, as well as the apparent
comfort, so observable in Connecticut, diminishes very
considerably as you approach the State of Massachusetts;
From Brookfield to Shrewsbury 28 miles; we passed
through Worcester, a pretty Town, the Houses parti-
cularly neat. Upon reaching the poor little Hamlet
of Shrewsbury, we found a Gentleman had been left
there from a Stage Coach sick; – Sudden illness is at this
moment every where the knell of the Yellow-fever –
& often of Death: – We were at first refused admittance, – Our Horses could
not go on the next stage; & upon Mr. Liston’s assuring
the Landlady, (who appeared to be a humane good Woman,)
that we were less apprehensive than most others,
we were allowed to enter; & passed a very disagreeable
night in the Chamber adjoining to that of the sick Man
who really had the yellow fever, & died two days after.
The following day incessant rain deprived
us of the view of an improving Country, through a
tract of 37 miles to Boston, – We breakfasted & dined