August 29th, 1844.

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Friday.—­Saw land to-day for the first time since we left Cape Clear; and heartily sick of the Atlantic.  Saw Lantucket at two P.M.  The atmosphere mild and warm.  Paid my wine-bill to Crawford, the head steward, a black; who, by the way, had got well threshed for nigger-driving the second steward.  Finished my letters for England in hopes of catching the Boston steamer, which leaves New York at five P.M. on Saturday.

210 miles.  Lat. 41 deg. 18’ N.; Long. 68 deg. 18’.

Saturday.—­A beautiful morning.  The wind changed.  All the passengers on deck.  The pilot (who had come out 160 miles to get the job, a very intelligent fellow) lent me a New York paper.  A good many vessels in sight.  Came close to Long Island.  All bustle and confusion packing.  Our boat did her best, but we saw we should be too late for the mail.  Got to Sandy Hook at five; the Narrows at six; and up the East River at seven.  Passed Fort Hamilton; and at half-past seven landed in New York.

The confusion on landing baffled all description.  Hundreds of pickpockets were on the look-out.  We sojourned at the Astor House Hotel.  Had a warm-bath, and retired to rest grateful that I was once more on Terra firma.

265 miles.  Passage altogether 3022 miles in fourteen days.

Sunday, 1st September.—­Rose at six.  Took a car with my companion, Mr. K——­, of Liverpool, and went down to the Great Western for our luggage.  We met with great civility from the Custom-house officers.  They would not allow luggage to pass after sunset the previous evening.  After breakfast we heard service at Dr. Spring’s Chapel, a Presbyterian:  a beautiful chapel, and a respectable congregation, and all in their pews before the minister ascended the pulpit:  the text was, “The Lord reigneth:”  the singing was good:  the service terminated at twelve.  The weather awfully hot:  the thermometer stood at 92 deg. in the shade.  Dined at half-past two:  300 sat down to a splendid dinner, everything that could tempt the appetite or please the epicure.  Tea at seven; and supper at ten, if required.

I may here remark that Astor House is the largest hotel in the world.  They make up five hundred beds regularly, but could make up eight hundred:  about sixty waiters; five regular clerks; twenty-one washerwomen; five manglers (all of which is done by steam); twelve cooks.  Take it for all in all,

     “I ne’er shall see its like again.”

Their system is as much carried out as Morrison’s, Fore-street.  You never have occasion to ring the bell twice:  they have twenty rotunda men who do nothing else but answer bells and carry out parcels.  My first impression of New York on the Sunday morning was that it resembled Paris.

Population, 350,000.  Lat. 40 deg. 42’ N.; Long. 74 deg. 2-1/2’.

I here subjoin the Bill of Fare.  For eating and bed two dollars per day, including servants.