505. 1839 LETTER CONDEMNS PITTSBURGH Nicecontent A.L.S. 2pp. 4to., Pittsburgh, June 16, 1839, from a woman to her cousin,with phonetic spelling corrected, bearing her unflattering impressions of thecity of Pittsburgh. In small part: "...This is a dirty place, but I hope wewill soon get out of it. The houses here look like blacksmith's shops, they aresmoked so black...We live between the river and the canal and...can see peoplegoing one way or the other with their baggage. We have plenty of coal very cheapand it burns like pine knots. I bake bread and pies and meat before the grate inthe tin reflector...What we call the natives here are very stiff in theirmanners. They will hardly speak to people in their stores. They are dark,swarthy-looking people and great sharpers, always on the lookout....The ladiesare very dressy and wear their dresses dragging the dirty streets..."..Folds, loss at seal from opening, very good. $75 - 100