The society in Charleston is extrelin ly agreeable. The inhabitants are distinguished by frankness, polite ness, and hospitality. Its super ior salubrity attracts nun hers of planters from the surrounding country; and its vicinity to the Leeward Islands, makes it a las °mite re sort for rich \Vest Indians. From these causes, it is the gayest town in the United States; and there are few places where social amusements, and refined and elegant pleasures, can be enjoyed in greater perfection. In science and literature the inhabitants of Charleston are as fur advanced as any of the Americans. As yet, indeed, they have few literary institutions ; but a spirit of improvement has lately arisen among them, which promises the most beneficial consequences. A medical society was instituted in Charleston in 1789, and incor porated in 1794. It meets monthly, when a conversation takes place on the prevailing diseases ; the meteorologi cal observations of the members are examined and re corded; and a medical question or subject is discussed. Under the auspices of this association, a botanical socie ty was formed and incorporated in the year 1805. From the medical society it received three hundred dollars, fifty dollars per annum, and a large field which had been presented to them by a lady, to be cultivated as a bota nic garden. This institution has flourished beyond the most sanguine expectation ; and the garden is now en riched with a considerable number of plants, both indi genous and exotic, arranged according to the system of Lionxus.
For 120 years after the first settlement of South Ca rolina, Charleston continued to be the seat of govern ment. The great increase of population to the west ward, however, made it desirable that the residence of government should be in a more central situation. The beauty, salubrity, and convenience of Columbia, as a point of general communication, recommended it as the most proper site for the new establishment. A city was immediately begun ; and the legislature convened there for the first time in 1790.
Charleston was incorporated in 1783, and divided into three wards, which choose as many wardens, from among whom the inhabitants elect an intendant of the city. The town-council is composed of the intendant and wardens, who have power to make and enforce bye-laws for the regulation of the town. The value of exports from this city amounted, in 1794, to 3,845,392 dollars. Its popu lation was computed, in 1791, to be 16.359 inhabitants, of whom 7684 were slaves. Long. 80° 2' \Vest. Lat. 32° 50' North. See Ramsay's History of South Caro lina. Liancourt, Duke de Ia Rochefoucault's Travels in .11,rth America. Morse's American Morse'.: American Gazetteer. (A-) Cll ARTS. See GEoottArnv and MAPS.