The only manufactory in Lancaster is one of rifles; they have contracted to supply the continental army with these "mortal engines."

I have heard a hundred improbable stories relative to what was done with the rifle by famous marksmen in America, such as shooting an apple from a child’s head, &c; to which I could not give credit:  but, I have no reason to doubt the following feat:  as it was actually performed before many hundred inhabitants of this borough, and the adjacent country.—­During the late war, in the year 1775, a company of riflemen, formed from the back woodsmen of Virginia, were quartered here for some time:  two of them alternately held a board only nine inches square between his knees, while his comrade fired a ball through it from a distance of one hundred paces!  The board is still preserved; and I am assured by several who were present, that it was performed without any manner of deception.

Lancaster was originally a german settlement; the inhabitants were so desirous of perpetuating their language, that they established german schools for the education of the rising generation; but their descendants, finding the inconvenience of being without a knowledge of English, now send their children first to the german, and afterward to the english schools; by which means they acquire a tolerable idea of both languages.  They still retain many characteristics of their ancestors; such as frugality, plainness in dress, &c.  At our first concert, three clownish-looking fellows came into the room, and, after sitting a few minutes, (the weather being warm, not to say hot) very composedly took off their coats:  they were in the usual summer dress of farmers servants in this part of the country; that is to say, without either stockings or breeches, a loose pair of trowsers being the only succedaneum.  As we fixed our admission at a dollar each, (here seven shillings and sixpence,) we expected this circumstance would be sufficient to exclude such characters; but on inquiry, I found (to my very great surprise!) our three sans culottes were german gentlemen of considerable property in the neighbourhood!

They manage these matters better at Hanover; (a settlement of germans about forty miles hence.) One of the articles of their dancing assembly is in these words; “No gentleman to enter the ball-room without breeches, or to be allowed to dance without his coat.”

All the back parts of Pennsylvania were in general cleared, and settled by german, and irish emigrants; but the former are commonly more prosperous than their neighbours, whom they excel in sobriety and economy, and have also a much better understanding amongst themselves.