The Conclusion

 Reader,

Didst tbou ever travel? If so, then thou hast probably known, the pleasure to be enjoyed, in the companionship of a fellow traveler, with whom thou couldst interchange those ideas suggested, by the various objects, new, curious, and interesting that presented themselves on the way, and can therefore, appreciate the gratification I have experienced, in nearly One Year's Journey, through the principal labor in printing this Book: But, my journey is now drawing to a close; and as the traveler reluctantly, parts with a companion, with whom for a time, he has held agreeable converse, and would almost continue his tour, notwithstanding his fatigue, and anxious desire, to "Rest from his Labors." So I, as I approach the place where, I must part with thee, gentle reader, nor no longer indulge the garrulity of "Four Score" feel more regret than joy; for although, I may have failed to interest thee I have amused myself and found some part of the time, very pleasant.

I have endeavored as we have passed along, to show thee many things, "curious, useful and entertaining," in and about the "City of Brotherly Love," and its physical, moral, and religious condition: And although doubtless, much has escaped my observation. If I have committed errors, or passed by, what I should have noticed, please to forgive and remember, that one who has numbered "Seventy-Nine Winters," has not the unclouded eye, nor the elastic vigor, of middle age. What he has left undone, will doubtless, call into the field (in some future day) an abler pen. If he has accomplished any good, he feels satisfied, that his time and labor, has not been uselessly employed.

The Reader of this Volume will no doubt notice, that those subjects which are of a Military character, at the commencement of this Book, or have reference to the Revolution, or to General Washington, have been dwelt upon with great satisfaction, to the Publisher hereof: Perhaps this may be accounted for, by his early associations, having enrolled himself as a volunteer in a Company of "Life Guards" to General Sullivan, during the Campaign on Rhode Island, in 1776: He also, served onboard the ship Washington of 20 guns, commanded by Silas Talbot, "which was captured, by the London, of 100 guns, and the Culloden, 74 guns, British ships of War.

The events of the American Revolution inspired him with a warm admiration, for an effective Military, to support the many achievements of those times, which ''Tried Men's Souls," and impressed his mind, with an admiration for General Washington, that only Death can extinguish!

The time consumed, since the commencement of this work, has resulted, from the difficulty of bringing together authentic accounts of the numerous subjects which it contains, and from the (almost) unparalleled circumstance, of the whole labor of the composition, distribution, and correction, of the types, &c. being performed by the publisher himself, who is now, in the LXXXth year of his age.

To those gentlemen, who have kindly aided him, by the loan of Engravings, and otherwise patronized his arduous undertaking, he tenders his sincere thanks; and in parting with them, and with his indulgent Readers, as he now does, and soon must do, to all earthly Objects, he affectionately adds, "Accept The Blessing Of An Old Man."

Daniel Bowen. Philadelphia, September 24, 1839.

History of Philadelphia