Rose before six. Put on my best that I might lose no time in dressing at
Newport. A good deal of rain in the night. Taken in a coach to the
steamboat. Charged 25 cents for about 100 yards. The weather cleared up
and I had a pleasant sail. Found that Dr. Channing resided about five
miles from Newport, and was known by everybody. Met the Boston and New
York steamer. Stopped at the Eagle Hotel, did not like the old gruff
fellow at the hotel, he could not let me have a room but only a bed with
five others in the room; this I refused, and was told of another with
three beds, but only two likely to be occupied; I was forced to take
this, and then set off in quest of an Unitarian chapel. At length one
was pointed out, on coming out I enquired the name of the preacher. A
stranger from North Carolina; asked if any other Unitarian place of
worship; he said this was not Unitarian but Baptist. I said it was
Unitarian preaching whatever named. I entered a very neat place and
heard part of a sermon by a smart young preacher. This proved
Episcopalian; on returning to the Eagle was shown into a very small room
with five beds. This I refused and was then shown the other with three.
I asked if there was any Unitarian place of worship. I was told not, and
found it to be the case. The doctor will hardly be able to make amends
for this miserable place. Just before dinner I met with a gentleman I
had seen at Saratoga, and took a walk with him. After dinner we went to
hear a Presbyterian who preached from John viii, v. 20; the congregation
numerous, and singing was congregational, and as usual there was a large
proportion of females. Then walked about a mile to a nice little bay
where some boys were bathing; I also could not resist, notwithstanding
the sharks; the waves were large and the shore sandy; I had a pleasant
bathe. After tea we went to an Episcopalian Church, very full, but with
10 women to one man; should have expected their sweethearts would have
been numerous. A young man preached, but not with much ability.