Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian Part 17

Late last Evening the Packets came in: In the Pennsylvania Gazette I saw that Docter _Elmer_ of my acquaintance in Jersey; & Docter Jones at whose House I dined Last Sunday are created members of the American Philosophical Society.--In the virginia Papers there is an Account of an Earthquake felt on monday the 21 ult. at _Williamsburg_, _Richmond_, & _Fredericksburg_--After Breakfast Mr Lane left us, He was drest in black superfine Broadcloth; Gold-Laced hat; laced Ruffles; black Silk Stockings; & to his Broach on his Bosom he wore a Masons Badge inscrib'd "Virtute and Silentio" cut in a Golden Medal!

Certainly he was fine!--Mrs Carter continues better. Evening we performed again in the several parts our Sonata--_Ben_ mentioned to his Mama, as Mr Lane's coming hindred his asking his _Papa_ for his Consent to go to Philadelphia.

She seems to be not unwilling.

Expence to Day for Paper a Bitt, or 7d.

_Fryday 4._

I gave the _Hostler_ directions for preparing my Horse for the approaching expedition. In a s.h.i.+p arrived last week in Potowmack Mr Carter received half a Dozen of the latest Gent. Magazines with several other new Books,

This day I wrote two Letters to be forwarded by Mr Lane, one to a young Lady in Philadelphia the other to my Sister.

No news of beautiful _Laura_; perhaps I may say of her, to myself: Quid insanis, Philippe, tua lura _Laura_,--Alium--secuta est! Keep her, kind Heaven, & in her Friends.h.i.+p make me happy! After School at Evening, on account of some difference about the Key of the School-Room Ben gave Harry a smart, but just correction; I kept in my Room that I might be wholly unconcerned in the matter.

There came in about eight o-Clock a man very drunk, & grew exceeding noisy & troublesome, & as the Evening was cold & stormy Mr Carter thought it improper to send him away; he was therefore ordered into the Kitchen, to stay the Night: Him Bob soon after persuaded to the School-house; I soon heard from my Room the noise & guesed immediately the Cause. I waited however 'til half after ten, when all seemed silent; I then took a candle & went into the School-Room, And before the Fire Bob had brought a matt, & Several Blankets, & was himself in a sound sleep covered with the Blankets on the same Matt between the drunken Man, & a Negro Fellow, his Papas Postilion! I mention this as one Example among a thousand to shew the very particular Taste of this Boy!--I could mention another which would ill.u.s.trate what I have said of this pa.s.sion for Horses when I gave a Scetch of his character, _Ben_ has a very sightly young mare which he has in keeping for our intended Journey; this morning Bob agreed to give his Brother a Pisterene, & a rich Tortoise-Sh.e.l.l Handled Knife bound elegantly with Silver, only for Liberty to ride this Mare every day to Water, until his Brother sets away, & would consent to be limited as to the Gait he should use in Riding--I borrowed the late Magazines & read them in my Leisure. I am daily more charmed & astonished with Mrs Carter. I think indeed she is to be placed in the place with Ladies of the first Degree.

_Sat.u.r.day 5._

Very stormy this morning, no going out: I spend the day very agreeably at Home. Mr Carter appointed to _Ben_, & I another _Sonata_ to practise. He wrote for Miss _Nancy_ also "Infancy" to get by Heart & sing it with the _Guitar_. The day continues stormy; _Bob_, however, has ventured out; for neither Heat, nor Cold, nor Storm can stay him!--

We dined at three--The Colonel at Dinner observed that many of the most just, & nervous sentiments are contain'd in Songs & small Sketches of Poetry; but being attended with _Frippery Folly_ or _Indecency_ they are many times look'd over. I am remarkably pleased with the Monument erected to the memory of General _Wolfe_ in the universal Magazine for September 1773. The General is there represented in an expiring Posture, supported by an English Soldier, who seems to comfort him in his last moments, by directing his closing Eyes to a Figure representing Victory, holding in one hand a palm-Branch, the emblem of peace; & a Crown or Wreath of immortality in the other, which she offers the dying commander; while he himself seems to make a final effort to express his Sattisfaction at her Appearance. On the corners of the Base are two Lions couchant, the Emblems of the british Nation, supporting the Sarcophagus or marble Urn, & intended to express the grat.i.tude of his native country for his eminent Services. On the first pannel of the Base is an elegant alto Relievo, representing the debarkation of the Troops at the Foot of the Heights of Abraham.

The Writer says that the Height of the Monument from the Ground-Line to the top of the Tent, is nearly twenty-seven feet; that the figures are considerably larger than the Life, & beautifully executed.

On an oval Tablet on the front of the Urn are inscribed the underwritten Lines.

To the Memory of James Wolfe Esqr

Major-General, & Commander in Chief of the British Land Forces on an Expedition against Quebeck. Who, surmounting by Ability & valour All Obstacles of Art & Nature,

Was slain, In the moment of Victory.

At the head of his conquering Troops, on the 13th of September 1759;

The King, and the Parliament of Great Britain Dedicate this Monument.

Honour is here indeed done to merit, and Valour is justly eternized!--

I was reading in the Evening to _Bob_ in the Monthly Review the remarks on the Poetry and writings of _Phillis Wheatly_[130] of Boston; at which he seem'd in astonishment; sometimes wanting to see her, then to know if She knew grammer, Latin, &c. at last he expressed himself in a manner very unusual for a Boy of his turn. & suddenly exclaimed, Good G.o.d! I wish I was in Heaven!--The Weather is so stormy I chose to forego my Supper, rather than venture into the dark, & Water. In bed a little after ten which is our usual time.

[130] Phillis Wheatley had been brought from Africa to Boston as a slave in 1761. Educated by the daughters of her owner, John Wheatley, Phillis manifested remarkable acquisitive powers and soon attracted attention by the excellent character of her verse. Her first bound volume, _Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral_, was published in 1773.

_Sunday 6._

I rose at eight--The morning cold & stormy--_Ben___ is distressed that he cannot go to Church; I cannot say but I enjoy myself with great Satisfaction tho' I stay most of my time in my Chamber; & often have to withstand the solicitations of Gentlemen to visit them.

Breakfasted at half after nine. Mr Lane the other Day informed me that the _Anabaptists_ in _Louden County_ are growing very numerous; & seem to be increasing in afluence; and as he thinks quite destroying pleasure in the Country; for they encourage ardent Pray'r; strong & constant faith, & an intire Banishment of _Gaming_, _Dancing_, & Sabbath-Day Diversions. I have also before understood that they are numerous in many County's in this Province & are Generally accounted troublesome--Parson _Gibbern_ has preached several Sermons in opposition to them, in which he has labour'd to convince his People that what they say are only whimsical Fancies or at most Religion grown to Wildness & Enthusiasm!--There is also in these counties one Mr Woddel,[131] a presbiterian Clergyman, of an irreproachable Character, who preaches to the people under Trees in summer, & in private Houses in Winter, Him, however, the people in general dont more esteem than the Anabaptists Preachers; but the People of Fas.h.i.+on in general countenance, & commend him. I have never had an opportunity of seeing Mr _Woddel_, as he is this Winter up in the Country, but Mr & Mrs _Carter_ speak well of him, Mr & Mrs _Fantleroy_ also, & all who I have ever heard mention his Name. Like _Bob_ I am at once fill'd with pleasure & surprise, when I see the remarks of the Reviewers confirmed as to the Writings of that ingenious _African Phillis Wheatly_ of Boston; her verses seem to discover that She is tolerably well acquainted with _Poetry_, _Learning_, & _Religion_. In the universal Magazine for September 1773 are the following Lines on her being brought from _Africa_ to _America_ by herself.

[131] James Waddell (1739-1805) was an outstanding Presbyterian minister in the colony. His gentle manner and forceful sermons did much to advance the cause of his church. At this period he was the pastor of a congregation in the Northern Neck, composed of families of Northumberland and Lancaster Counties. He later exerted a strong influence in the Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont sections. After 1787 he was blind for a number of years and was later celebrated as "The Blind Preacher" in William Wirt's _The Letters of the British Spy_.

"Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan Land, Taught my benighted Soul to understand, That there's a G.o.d; that there's a Saviour too; Once I Redemption neither sought nor knew, Some view our sable Race with scornful Eye, "Their Colour is a diabolic Dye."

Remember, christians, Negroes, black as Cain, May be refin'd, & join the Angelic Train.

--The people Went to day as usual into the Woods with the Cart & Oxen for Wood, as the cold and stormy Weather the several days past has occasioned large, & steady fires--It seems however to be a Breach of the Law of the Sabbath. _Ben_ impatient of staying at home rode out about Eleven, when the weather is more moderate; _Bob_, _Harry_ & Mr _Randolph_ also are all going out; I seem happy when intirely alone, & have undisturbed liberty to spend in Devotion G.o.d's holy Sabbath of Rest.

Before Night it grew fair when on a Sudden all are out, so that we seem like a Town; but most of the Inhabitants are black--We dined at three, no company. Evening _Bob_ returned & brought Mr Turburville's Compliments, with a strong invitation for me to visit him--A little before the Sun went down I took a walk down the Poplar Avenue; which must certainly be vastly pleasant in Summer--At the farthest end of this Walk I gathered & eat some Pisimmonds from a large Tree which were exceeding sweet, & agreeable. Supped at nine, At Supper The Colonel informed me that he has invented this Day a method for finding the difference of the value of money in this _Province_ and in _Maryland_. We do not spend Sundays thus in Jersey. In Bed by ten. Ben at home.

[Ill.u.s.tration: making a fence]

_Monday 7._

The morning vastly clear & cool--The Colonel rode to Richmond court at twelve, with Mr _Randolph_, I walked to see the Negroes make a fence; they drive into the Ground Chesnut stakes about two feet apart in a strait Row, & then twist in the Boughs of _Savin_[132] which grows in great plenty here--Ben, to Day, began Virgils Georgics--And Prissy began Division--By accident to day in the Garden I took up Mr _Gegory_ the Gardiners Spade, for which he instantly called on me for my forfeit--This Gardiner through the Summer from this Time has half a Crown daily Wages--Dined at half after two.

[132] An American juniper or "red cedar."

_Teusday 8._

I rose by six--the morning fine. Breakfasted at nine. At twelve I walked, to the mill together with Mr & Mrs Carter; Miss Prissy & Nancy, to see them bake Biscuit, & pack flour; here too I had a Forfeit for kneeding biscuit. The Colonel shewed me and explain'd the Pan of his Mill; his Ca.n.a.ls; Waste-gates; Toll Mill, Merchant Mill: &c. The tide flows quite to the Mill & is navigable with Canoes & Flats--He told me that his Wastgate as it stands alone cost him 95.--And that nothing less than 5000 Capital can continue the works & keep them supplied. The Ovens bake 100lb of Flour at a Heating; there are in the Bake-house two Ovens. Dined half after two.

The Colonel formed last Sunday, & is yet compleating Tables for finding the Difference between _Virginia_, & _Maryland_ Currency, as he is entering largely into Trade he finds it necessary to be better acquainted with the Exchange. _Ben_ agreed to ask his Papa at Supper for Leave to go with me to Philadelphia but poor Boy his resolution fail'd him!

_Wednesday 9._

Up by seven, very Windy--Evening I rode with Ben to Mr _Lanes_ to see young Lane; he was out however, & we soon returned--Mr Warden was at Mr Lanes. Evening we played in our small Concert our old Sonata; & besides Feltons Gavott,[133] supp'd at nine.

[133] William Felton (1713-1769), an English clergyman, was well known in the eighteenth century as a composer, and performer on the harpsichord and organ. "Felton's Gavot," which was long highly popular, had been introduced into Legrenzio Vincenzo Ciampi's opera "Bertoldo in Corte" in 1762. The music was written for the gavot, a lively dance of French peasant origin, in which the feet were raised in the step instead of being slidden.

_Thursday 10._

Mrs _Carter_ informed me last Evening that this Family one year with another consumes 27000 Lb of Pork; & twenty Beeves. 550 Bushels of Wheat. besides corn--4 Hogsheads of Rum, & 150 Gallons of Brandy.

Breakfasted with us Mr Warden, at twelve, with Mr Randolph, I went a fis.h.i.+ng, but we had only the luck to catch one apiece. Dined with us Mr _Cunningham_, he has lately had a severe turn of the Pleurisy--I supped with Mr Randolph on Fish--

_Fryday 11._

The finest morning we have yet had: the _Robbins,_ & _blue Birds_ singing all around us. _Prissy_, _Nancy_, & _Bob_ go this day to the _Dance_ which is at Mr Turburville's--It come here next--I wrote a Letter to Mr Rees[134] at Trenton--At twelve with Ben I rode to Mr _Lanes_ to see young Mr _Lane_, he happened to be at Home, & introduced to me Mr _Middleton_ an old facetious but pofane Gentleman.

We dined with Mr Lane. When call'd on for my Toast I gave Miss _Sally Hollinshead_, of Philadelphia Dined at three--

[134] Oliver Reese.

I heard a mocking Bird sing this Day. supped at eight & in Bed early for I am much fatigued with riding.