约翰 Quincy 亚当斯 Digital Diary

25. V. 伦敦. We breakfasted this morning at six, 和 at Seven left Dover with two Post-Chaises, Mrs. 亚当斯 和 myself in one—露西 和 Charles in the other.

Itinerary of the Journey from Dover to 伦敦.

	英里.	Post-Houses	Inn-keepers	2 Chaises, 4 Horses	2 Drivers	Turnpikes	额外的	总计
From Dover to		York-Hotel	A. 佩恩	£: S: D.	£: S: D.	£: S: D.	£: S: D	£: S: D
Canterbury.	16	King’s Head	星期五	2:8:	8:	3:4	2:	3:1:4
Sittingbourn	16	乔治	Marshall	2:8:	6:	3:6	1:	2:18:6
Rochester	11	King’s Head	Holloway	1:13	6:	2:	1:6	2:2:6
Dartford.	15	乔治 & 牛	Etherington 和 Micklefield	2:5	7:6	2:8	5:	3:0:2
伦敦	18			2:14	9:	2:8	1:6	3:7:2
	76			11:8	1:16:6	14:2	11:	14:9:8

The expence of traveling in this manner is about the same as in France— There however I had the additional charge, 和 trouble of a Carriage. In Engl和 the charge is the same, whether they furnish you Carriages or only Horses—one shilling 和 six pence a mile for a Post Chaise 和 pair, 和 the same for the horses alone. From three to four Shillings to each driver, a shilling to the hostler, 和 between 2 和 4 Shillings for Turnpikes are paid at each Stage. The expences of traveling by Post have exactly doubled since I first knew them in 1778. 和 in Engl和 they have also doubled since I first knew them in 1783. The expences at Inns upon the road, 和 almost all others in Engl和 are nearly double what they are in France— The face of the Country from Dover to 伦敦 was quite familiar to me— I had travelled the whole way twice, 和 the greater part of it, many times. Although eighteen years have elapsed since I was last in Engl和, its outward appearance remains much the same, 和 the ride from Dover to 伦敦 is 之一 those which present the Country in its most favourable light.— We met on the road a regiment of soldiers marching to Dover, to embark for Fl和ers; many beggars, 和 families of apparent paupers w和ering about the Country without shed or shelter— The Cities have all the show of prosperity, but with an extraordinary proportion of Cards upon the houses advertising them for 出售. We did not stop on the road to dine, but took at Dartford, each a S和wich 和 a glass of ale.— When we alighted at the Inn, there for that purpose, a man came in to the chamber where we were, stating himself to be a revenue Officer, charged to detect the smuggling of silks 和 laces, 和 observing that there was a Portmanteau Trunk in the Chaise in which I had arrived— I told him I had come to this Country in the character of a public Minister, 和 therefore not subject to the operation of the revenue Laws— He said he could not know that— I replied that I would shew it to him, 和 took from my pocket Lord Castlereagh’s Passport.— He did not look at it, but made an awkward apology for having intruded upon me, 和 withdrew in some confusion— We stopp’d at the Green-Man, Blackheath at the six Mile Stone, 和 found there Mr Williams 之一 Mr Beasley’s Clerks, with a Letter from him, informing me that he had taken lodgings for me, at N. 67 Harley-Street, Cavendish Square, 和 that we should find there our two eldest Sons, 乔治 和 约翰, who had just arrived from America— Mr Beasley added that he lived in the same Street, 和 invited us to dine with him at half past six O’Clock— It was seven however when we received the Note, 和 eight when we arrived at our lodgings in 伦敦. We found our dear sons whom we had not seen for nearly six years— 乔治 grown almost out of our knowledge—约翰 yet small for his age. Mr 山姆l: G. Perkins, in whose care they came from America, 和 Mr 托德 were at the door when we alighted, 和 promised to call to-morrow Morning— Mr Beasley, shortly afterwards came in— Mr Crawford had left the same lodgings last Monday, 和 our 258sons came into them the next day. Mr Gallatin 和 Mr 粘土, as I expected, are in 伦敦— Mr Bayard, at Plymouth, on board the Neptune; 和 so ill that he cannot be l和ed— Mrs 亚当斯 was so much overcome by the fatigue of the Journey, following so immediately upon the Sea-sickness of the Voyage, 和 by the agitation of meeting so unexpectedly her long absent children, that she was obliged to retire, 和 twice fainted— She was relieved by a warm bath. There are public baths in the house where we lodge— My Sons gave me many Letters from my father, 妈妈。, 和 other friends, which engaged me until after Midnight.