Boston seems one of the busiest cities in the world; a brief visit to the commercial quarter will fully satisfy the visitor as to that fact.

Beside its wooden wharves (some of which have durable stone fronts) are innumerable vessels of all dimensions and devices, and of every variety of build and rigging. The water is very deep, and large ships seem almost leaning (as if tired, after their long tempesttossings perchance, and weary wanderings) against the warehouses and ranges of sub stantial and solid edifices, reserved for commercial uses–for some of the slips run a little way into the land. Great numbers of these warehouses are crowded along the shore; the packets from Europe have a convenient slip especially set apart for their accommodation, and exclusive occupation. Mr.Cunard's steamers have a one thousand feet long wharf. Altogether, the sight is an interesting one; the eye is almost bewildered with the heterogeneous and ever-diversified scene.

The coasting trade is said to be three or four times as great as that to foreign ports. There is an extreme difference perceptible in the “naval architecture” of the crowded coasting craft. There are stout-looking schooners which ply between Boston and New York, a devious and difficult voyage, and some rather quaker-looking brigs, somewhat formal and precise, and punctilious in appearance, that are preparing to run a starched and stiff course, if the weather will permit them to do so, to drab-suited Philadelphia.