go to sleep and then heated
and feverish, got up soon after five. This hotel six storeys high, a
square of nine windows besides outbuildings, above 170 bedrooms, ours
No. 76. Called with Miss Crosdale's letter to Mr. Grundy. This hotel
more extensive than any. The road to Washington very hilly. Buzzards, a
species of eagle soaring high in the air. Some disturbance by Indians,
muskets placed in threes and fours. The soldiers and officers in curious
working dress, the land generally very poor. Two other buzzards hovering
over some carrion that they could smell. Arrived at Washington at two
o'clock; passed the Capitol which is a splendid building. After dinner a
very heavy close shower of rain with thunder; cleared up soon and the
evening proved delightful. Called upon Francis Taylor who keeps an
extensive book store and has also a circulating library. He seems a
little, shrewd intelligent young man about 22, has been nearly seven
years from home. Speaking of this country he said how a man may get on
to a certainty if he exerts himself, more a matter of chance in the old
country. Gadsby's Hotel very large but not so neat as Bunker's, or
Head's, particularly the former; the provisions not nearly so good.
Learned there were upwards of 250 rooms, our key being 102. Not feeling
very well, partly occasioned by too much exertion in Philadelphia.

SUNDAY, JUNE 22ND.

Passed a very good night, not seeing the lightning which R. Crook said
had been very vivid.

Francis Taylor called upon us and walked with us to the Capitol, a
beautiful pile of buildings though defaced by painting. Heard a sermon
Matthew vi and verse 2, in the House of Representatives, a beautiful
place something like the _nisi prius_ Court at Lancaster. Each member
has his own chair with a small desk before him; this space keeps
enlarging from the centre where the Speaker is placed; a large gallery
behind open to the public, that on the other side for ladies.

Commenced writing a letter, being too warm to walk and there being no
particular object. In the course of the afternoon the clouds began to
gather, soon after six there were flashes of lightning, which
continually increased with thunder, wind and rain truly astonishing. Set
off alone to the Unitarian Church, R. C.[12] nothing minding, and in
fact the streams would not have suited his morocco boots. Just able to
get along between every flash, found no service in consequence of the
storm; managed to get s