The roads are under the government of the county courts, fubjefl: to be con- trolled by the general court. They order new roads to be opened wherever they think them necefTary. The inhabitants of the county are by them laid off into pre- cinfts, to each of which they allot a con- Venient portion of the public roads to be kept in repair. Such bridges as may be built without the affiftance of artificers, they are to build. If the ftream be fuch as to require a bridge of regular work- manfliip, the court employs workmen to build it, at the expence of the whole county. If it be too great for the county, application is made to the general aflem- bly, who authorife individuals to build it, and to take a fixed toll from all pafTengers, or give fanftion to fuch other propofition as to them appears reafonable.
Ferries are admitted only at fuch places as are particularly pointed out by law, and the rates of ferriage are fixed.
Taverns are licenfed by the courts, who fix their rates from time to time.
The private buildings are very rarely conftrufted of ftone or brick; much the greateft portion being of fcantling and boards, plaiftered with lime. It is impof- fible to devife things more ugly, uncom- fortable, and happily more perifliable.
There are two or three plans, on one of which, according to its fize, moft of the houfes in the ftate are built. The pooreft people build huts of logs, laid horizon- tally in pens, flopping the interftices with mud. Thefe are warmer in winter, and cooler in fummer, than the more expen- five conftrudlion of fcantling and plank. The wealthy are attentive to the raifing of vegetables, but very little fo to fruitSi The poorer people attend to neither, living principally on milk and animal diet.
This is the more inexcufable, as the climate requires indifpenfably a free ufe of vege- table food, for health as well as comfort, and is very friendly to the raifing of fruits. The only public buildings worthy mention are the