Rose at two, got into the stage at Steubenville, at three the coach
quite full; ferried across the Ohio; passed through Paris; the country
is very hilly and the soil poor. Stopped at Florence to breakfast, the
remainder of the way hilly. On approaching Pittsburgh reminded of home
by the coal and smoke; arrived at one o'clock. More than twenty steamers
lying in the river, here the Ohio is joined by the Alleghany, the latter
a much clearer river. In the stage met with an intelligent young man on
his way to Erie, so concluded to stop at the same hotel. Paid to Wasson
(?) half way to Erie 3 dollars. Walked to some iron works and saw them
make rails very quickly, also some cannon boring. Walked across the
aqueduct 400 yards long, cost 112,000 dollars. Called at the Post
Office, but again disappointed.
Very sultry this evening, and I feel as if not likely to sleep; this is
one of the depressing periods. After coffee I took a walk to the
Catholic Church situated on an eminence. Pittsburgh is in a valley
surrounded on all sides by verdant hills, and smoky as one of our
English towns. This evening is so serene that the moon does not appear
half its usual distance from the earth. Feel much relieved and refreshed
by the walk and meditation. The first fence I had seen is here, and this
by way of protecting the road, also the first time I had seen any
horses' tails docked.