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 safe back, and afterwards engaged in witnessing
the sublime spectacle which continued till after nine; very fortunate
that it came on so early as our sleep was not disturbed, but made
pleasanter by the coolness of the atmosphere. The staircases to the
galleries of Congress and many places covered with tobacco spitting.