Dr. Beecher had also another object in view, which was to do some energetic begging for the foundation of the Biblical professorship in the Theological Seminary of which he was about to take charge. Harriet, in writing back to friends in Hartford about it, said casually: “The incumbent of this foundation is to be C. Stowe.” This is the first time that we hear the name of the one who is to bear so large a part in the story of Harriet Beecher’s life. From New York the Beecher company went by steamboat to Philadelphia. Here they had the great misfortune to lose track of all their baggage. They had to wait for a time in Philadelphia until it could be traced to another wharf. It was finally recovered and brought on, but not till after the ladies of the family, usually the very pink of perfection in their starched and snowy collars and lace edgings, had suffered extreme discomfort because of the limp and dusty condition of their frills. The comfort of the family was at last restored and the mother and Aunt Esther were supplied with fresh caps and ruffles. Great was the joy! Dr. Beecher struck an attitude as the boxes were brought in, swung his hat, and called for three cheers. “So should a man do,” cried Harriet, “whose wife has not had a cap or a ruffle for a week!” The delay in Philadelphia was not specially unwelcome. Here the party was separated into two sections: the father and mother with Aunt Esther and the baby, went to one friend’s house, and the older children to another. Their hosts were rich, hospitable folks and their visits were full of enjoyment. There was much to be seen by the young people, and the father’s energies were taken up with conferences and preaching and with prayer-meetings held specially for the success of the great missionary object that was calling him into what seemed to them all a very far-away country. By all this business they were kept so long that Mrs. Beecher and Aunt Esther demurred at the delay. Dr. Beecher told them that they were in the hands of Providence, but they said that they would much prefer to trust Providence by the way! At last they were all ready to take the plunge into the actual west.