Got up at five. Jones's phaeton came up soon after, he drove me to the
steamer _Erie_, just in time, as usual both boats full; a delightful
morning, met several steamboats one towing two boats on each side and
one behind. The rocks on the west side very steep and the strata very
perpendicular. Paid for passage and breakfast 87-1/2 cents, but
unfortunately no milk. About 100 at the first table; saw some sturgeons
leap out of the water. The scenery up the Hudson the finest in the
neighbourhood of West Point. Very pleasant and quite cool enough. Got to
Poughkeepsie at half-past eleven. Found Miss J. and Miss Mary at home in
a pleasant house in Union Street, though the scene of the cholera the
last two years. After dinner drove through the town to Dr. H.'s garden
about four miles; the grounds pretty and the walks delightful along the
Hudson. Had another peep at the Hotel on the Catskill Mountain; the Dr.
very kind and we spent the evening very pleasantly: Mr. J. looking
better than in England and Mary taller, both greatly attached to the old
country. Robert is married and living with Mrs. J., and Mrs. R. like all
American wives appears delicate. A good deal said against the morals of
the poor Americans, no relying on their word, lax habits. Paid for the
carriage three dollars.