Rose 1/4 before 5; found breakfast not out; got coffee; the wagon not
coming. James Dean set off to meet the man; the portmanteau was placed
on; drove rapidly down just in time. Got on board the _North America_,
found many hundreds of passengers. Charged to Albany only 50 cents just
what I was to pay for being brought to the steamer; an immense steamer,
the Captain said 400 or 500 passengers; a much smaller number than
usual. A quick way of putting out and taking in passengers: the boat is
lowered, they take a long rope and steer to the landing-place, then haul
in towards the steamer which scarcely stops. The rope is attached to the
end of the helm, which is 4 or 5 yards wide and gives great power, and
the helm is always placed in the fore part of the vessel. Saw some fish
(sturgeons) jump a yard out of the water.
A piano and cradle on board. Arrived at Catskill[29] half past three;
got some excellent cider and bread and butter. Set off to the mountain
1/4 past 4; a chaise near being upset. Fare 1 dollar said to be 13
miles; then a turnpike gate, and arrived at the summit at 1/4 past 8;
having been in four hours in one part alternately hot and in another
piercingly cold. A beautiful moonlight night; the Hudson River visible;
very cold so that we sat round the fire as if it were Christmas.