Called at half past three; left at four; passed over a bridge of wood
suspended by iron chains, took a seat with the driver; a little
drizzling rain; the button trees[31] again; apples more plentiful; the
drive beautiful along the river (Delaware), high hills on each side; the
woods a little tinted; some thorn hedges; a good many walnut trees. Had
coffee and pancakes, paid 30 cents. The land generally better cleared
and the houses more substantially built. Passed a funeral of a woman who
burned herself to death yesterday by smoking. A long range of stabling
shut up, and the hotel changed into a private house. The driver said
these canals and railways would be the ruin of the country. Most
beautiful weeping willows; some of the slender branches hanging down 5
or 6 feet. Passed the race course or rather trotting course; this is
generally run by drawing a light high-wheeled sulky. Stopped at the
White Swan Hotel, Philadelphia, where the coach stopt; found it to be a
good inn but rather too far from the Exchange, etc. After washing and
changing my dress I called upon the Masons to know about worship in the
evening; went and heard a most excellent sermon by Mr. Furness: Heb. 12
and 2 verse, "Look to Him." He mentioned the general desire to do well
but the difficulty of performance, the character of Christ the most
influential; mentioned the perplexity attending the belief in His two
natures.