Called at four. Took up a gentleman who proved to be an English Catholic
priest, very intelligent and pleasant. Soon got on the railway, a
pleasant ride through the forest, got a glass of milk; breakfasted at
Tuscarora, 25 cents. Passed Tamaqua, where a Catholic chapel had lately
been erected; my companion the minister. Travelled through a narrow path
covered with brushwood; came to the summit where an immense mass of coal
is worked like an open stone quarry; the coal is taken away on rails to
Mauch Chunk and then by canal to Philadelphia, etc., etc. The waggon and
cars are let down by one man who can move a drag upon each by means of a
connecting rope, and the mules also ride down to draw up the empty
waggons. Descended in 45 minutes 40 miles. Mauch Chunk most romantically
situated at the foot of the mountains almost overhanging the town. Left
my friend the priest. Arrived at Lehigh Gap 1/4 past 2, an interesting
drive, changing sides with the canal and river. One of the old greys
like that yesterday, made a few false steps. We now left the canal and
river; a surly driver, near losing my coat; some walnuts; a good deal of
Dutch spoken in this neighbourhood. Arrived at Easton 1/4 past seven.
Finding no direct conveyance to Trenton and that the fare to
Philadelphia is only one dollar, I have agreed to go to Philadelphia.
Paid for supper and bed 50 cents. Got to bed at 8.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 31ST.
Called at half past three; left at four; passed over a bridge of wood
suspended by iron chains, took a seat with the driver; a little
drizzling rain; the button trees[31] again; apples more plentiful; the
drive beautiful along the river (Delaware), high hills on each side; the
woods a little tinted; some thorn hedges; a good many walnut trees. Had
coffee and pancakes, paid 30 cents. The land generally better cleared
and the houses more substantially built. Passed a funeral of a woman who
burned herself to death yesterday by smoking. A long range of stabling
shut up, and the hotel changed into a private house. The driver said
these canals and railways would be the ruin of the country. Most
beautiful weeping willows; some of the slender branches hanging down 5
or 6 feet. Passed the race course or rather trotting course; this is
generally run by drawing a light high-wheeled sulky. Stopped at the
White Swan Hotel, Philadelphia, where the coach stopt; found it to be a
good inn but rather too far from the Exchange, etc. After washing and
changing my dress I called upon the Masons to know about worship in the
evening; went and heard a most excellent sermon by Mr. Furness: Heb. 12
and 2 verse, "Look to Him." He mentioned the general desire to do well
but the difficulty of performance, the character of Christ the most
influential; mentioned the perplexity attending the belief in His two
natures.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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