This city is beautifully situated on the east bank of the Hudson, and the head of steam boat, and sloop navigation; six miles from Albany and one hundred and fifty from the city of New-York. The site is unrivalled for salubriousness and commercial advantages, as not from the magniñcent Hudson alone does it draw its commerce; the silver threads of the great Erie and Champlain Canals are seen on the western bank of the river opposite Troy, and communicate with a basin in which may be found all the productions of the far west and the north. Besides these water communications, a large tract of country to the east and northeast annually pours its productions into this place as the

nearest mart.

But not to the commercial interest alone does Troy hold out peculiar allurements. It is a residence combining taste with the beauty of nature, making it a most desirable place for the abode of wealth and leisure. The site of Troy is a level plain twelve or twenty feet above the bed of the river, upon which the city is laid out in squares, with the exception of Riverstreet, which follows the course of the river,—and which, as it curves towards the east, receives the other streets running north and south, as well as those in the opposite direction. The stores being generally confined

• The annexed view was drawn and engraved expressly for this work.

to River-street, nearly all the business is transacted there; and hence the remainder of the city exhibits the tranquil aspect and noiseless quiet, which are seldom found but in the country. Many of the buildings, particularly those recently erected, are spacious and elegant, while nearly all are remarkable for the neatness and propriety of their construction. A great improvement has recently been made in the appearance of the public buildings.

East of the plain upon which Troy is built, and not more than a mile from the river, Mount Ida rises abruptly to the height of three or four hundred feet, from whose summit every house and store may be seen with perfect distinctness, while the eye is likewise gratified by a very extensive view north and south, embracing the nine locks at the junction of the western and northern canals, Waterford, Lansingburgh and Albany. Two streams, which afford an immense quantity of water power, empty into the Hudson within its limits, and one of them rolls down a beautiful cascade, about a mile from the Court-House, which is frequently visited as an object of curiosity. They already move the machinery of a number of large flouring mills; and of several very extensive iron, cotton and woollen manufacturing establishments.

The public buildings in Troy consist of nine places of Public Worship, three Banks, a Female Seminary, an Infant school-house, a Lancasterian school-house, a gaol, and some others of minor importance.

St. Paul's church, is a large and magnificent structure. The Second Presbyterian church, situated in Grand Division-street, is a neat brick edifice, with a handsome steeple and large bell. The Methodist church is also of brick, and its architecture manifests good taste and judgment. There is also another Presbyterian church, another Episcopal, one Baptist, one Quaker, one Roman Catholic, and one Universalist. The Troy Female Seminary consists of a plain brick building, of more than a hundred feet in length, and another of inferior dimensions. This Seminary is very deservedly in a flourishing condition; its number of students including boarders and day scholars, has lately been from

220, to 240, among whom are young ladies from nearly every state and territory in the Union. Besides its accomplished principal the institution is well supplied with able teachers in every department of learning taught here. Its public examinations have become highly interesting and attract crowded auditories.

The Lancasterian school, is furnished with a good and convenient building, which would accommodate three hundred and fifty pupils. The infant school occupies a neat brick structure, and is said to have realized the utmost expectations of its founders.

The new Court House when completed will be one of the most perfect and elegant specimens of Grecian Architecture in the State. Both the county and city are to be here accommodated with offices.

The Farmer's Bank was incorporated in 1801, with a capital of $350,000, of which 8278,000 have been paid. The bank of Troy was incorporated in 1811, with a capital of 440,000. The Rensselaer and Saratoga Insurance Company, of which the business is transacted at Troy, was incorporated in 1814, with a capital of $250,000. The Troy Savings' Bank was incorporated in 1823. The Merchants' and Mechanics' Bank, was incorporated in 1829, with a capital of $300,000. The two new buildings erected for the use of this and the Farmers' Bank, are of the Chatham free stone, and are much admired for their simple elegance.

The New-London steam boat, is employed as a towboat, and carries to and from New-York, an immense quantity of freight, and many passengers. Arrangements are making for a line of elegant steam boats between the two cities for the accommodation of passengers. About eighty sloops and other craft are engaged in the business of transportation, principally between these two cities, and several schooners ply regularly between Troy and Boston. The trade of Troy sustains three newspapers, two of which are semi-weekly, and one daily.

But although Troy is principally supported by her commerce, she also possesses rare advantages for manufactures, and indeed may already claim a high rank,