Browsing: Diary of Charles Francis Adams, Volume 2

We went to Hudson the first day,2 and there spent the night. The next day we rode to Poughkeepsie in a way which made me exceedingly regret I was not in proper order for the Journey. I believe, had I been well, I could have enjoyed the journey. But as it was, I was anxious for home.3 The next day we went down the river to New York, and arrived in the evening after a tedious, and disgusting pas• {p. 77} sage in a Steamboat. I will not detail all the painful feelings which were excited by the contending wishes of my Mother and I. Suffice it to say that in about the time for starting South, Thomas Hellen seemed as if dropped from Heaven for my relief into the Bar room of the City Hotel. I left Madame &c. in his hands, I jumped on board the Steam Boat, thanking Heaven, that I had some prospect of relief.

On Sunday Morning I arrived in Philadelphia, sent for Hopkinson, and determined to spend four or five days with him under his care. This I did and grew better every day. I passed my time very much at home, with the exception of a ride for every day with Hopkinson to some neighboring place. My spirits began gradually to rise.