The place you embark from is called the levee: and as all the large towns on the river have a levee, I may as well explain the term at once.

It is nothing more nor less than the sloping off of the banks of a river, and then paving them, by which operation two objects are gained:--first, the banks are secured from the inroads of the stream; secondly, the boats are thereby enabled at all times to land passengers and cargo with perfect facility.

These levees extend the whole length of the town, and are lined with steamers of all kinds and classes, but all built on a similar plan; and the number of them gives sure indication of the commercial activity of Cincinnati.

When a steamer is about to start, book-pedlers crowd on board with baskets full of their--generally speaking--trashy ware.

Sometimes these pedlers are grown-up men, but generally boys about twelve or fourteen years of age.