Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian Part 25

I was sitting in the Colonels Library I took a Catalogue of the whole of His Books--& he tells me he has left behind him at Williamsburg, with many other things 458 volumes besides Music & Pamphlets.[178]

[178] See this catalogue of Carter's library in Appendix, pp. 221-229.

It is with considerable Difficulty that I keep the Children in School til twelve o Clock as they used to go out all the last winter at Breakfast--_Bob_ especially is vastly vociferous on the Occasion--Our Bells for School & play-Hours are at present under good Regulations.

The Children come in as soon as they rise and are Drest which is usually about seven--The Bell rings at eight for Breakfast--At nine it Rings for two purposes; for the Children to enter School, & for the Gardiners, Carpenters, & other workmen to come into Breakfast--At ten it Rings them to work. At twelve it rings for the School play hours--At two it rings for us to Dine, & the workmen--And the las[t]

bell is at three for School & for the workmen to go to Labour--I dismiss them by my watch at half after Five.--After Dinner I rode alone to Mr Blains Store; bought a pen-knife, nine Jacket-b.u.t.tons, & a primmer for Miss _Harriot 3/_. It is alarming to observe how hard, & dusty the Country is; towards evening some clouds arose & looked promising in the West, but they bring no rain--No rain has fell here since the 24th of May, & then but a Scanty Shower, & most of the time since windy.

_Sunday 12._

_Ben_ & Mr _Randolph_ had a small wrangle about Horses: The Day is vastly hot, the wind small at West, clear & very Dry I choose therefore to stay at Home--I lent my Horse to _Ben_, & staid myself at Home to write my Lecture, Mrs _Carter_ the two Misses, & Ben went to Church, Mr Randolph went on Board Captain Blackwells s.h.i.+p to dine--_Bob_ pleaded hard with me for Leave to go on Board the s.h.i.+p, but I kept him at home with me--Evening I finished my Lecture & laid it by for future examination. Some Clouds & Lightning in the west but no rain.

Monday 13.

_Ben_ gave _Bob_, for some imprudent Language a drubbing this morning--About nine we had a Shower but soon over & of little use; be to G.o.d, however, that we have any--I begun, to day my Sermon for the Presbytery--The change in the weather since yesterday is remarkable.

This afternoon is so cool that I should be glad of a winter suit--yesterday afternoon was so hot I could not be comfortably cool in a thin gown, with all the windows of my chamber up. Evening, John the waiting Man play'd, & the young Ladies spent the evening merrily in dancing--I staid til ten, saw them & Conversed with Mrs Carter.

_Teusday 14._

I added last night to my Bed-Clothes a Quilt, Blanket, & my own Clothes & lay under them all, none too warm--The children call'd for a Fire in the school-Room, & were so cold I was obliged to dismiss them before the Bell--I believe there is no Frost--Befor Breakfast, Mr _Stadley_ the musician came from Colonel _Taylors_ at _mount Airy_.

Miss Priscilla & Nancy attend his instructions. Mr Stadley shewed me some Verses he is carrying from Mr Was.h.i.+ngtons to His Daughter they seem good and are as follow.

A Hymn for a dying Believer.

1st Happy Soul thy Days are ended, All thy mourning Days below, Go by Angel-Guards attended To the Sight of Jesus, go.

2d Waiting to recieve my Spirit, Lo thy Saviour stands above, Shews the purchase of his merit Reaches out the Crown of Love.

3d For the Joy he Sets before thee Bear a momentary pain, Die to live the Life of Glory Suffer, with thy Lord to reign.

Spent the evening very agreeably with Mrs Carter & Mr Stadley, we sat about a good Fire in the Dining-Room, and it seems as necessary & agreeable as in November or December.--

_Wednesday 15._

So cold that I ordered a Fire in the School-Room--Mr Stadley with us yet--I took out of the Library to read for entertainment the "Amus.e.m.e.nt of the _German Spa_; it is a well written piece--Designed entirely for Amus.e.m.e.nt Before dinner Mrs Taylor,[179] with her two Daughters Miss Polly, & Kitty came in a Chariot--_Bob_ was in a moment on Fire; He is deeply Smitten with Polly's Charms--beg'd me for Leave to go out of School & dress--I allow'd him, The Day was vastly windy & the drouth is alarming!--Close Attention for two weeks past has fatigued me so much, that yesterday, & to Day I have laid aside Study, & read only for Relaxation--I took a whim in my head & would not go to Dinner, my Head was not dress'd, & I was too lazy to change my clothes--Mrs Carter, however, in the evening lash'd me severely. I told her I was engaged in reading a pleasant Novel.--That I was not perfectly well--But She would not hear none, & said I was rude, & censurable--Mr Stadley spent the evening in playing several songs & Sonata's on the Harpsichord & violin--

[179] Mrs. Tayloe.

_Thursday 16._

Mr Stadley left us before Breakfast--Reading at the Amus.e.m.e.nt of _Spa_--Drew off some Tunes--

_Fryday 17._

Bob was missing last night I was at his Room at twelve o Clock he was absent--This morning I examined him, he told me he was at Mr Turburville's, but told me several palpable Lies--I gave him however severe correction--We had this morning about 5 o Clock a smart Gust of wind, Rain & Thunder, but soon over.

_Sat.u.r.day 18._

_Ben_ not very well--At twelve _Bob_ teaz'd me for leave to go to a c.o.c.k-Fight & Horse-Race about two Miles off, I gave him Leave with his promising to be home by Sun Set.--Spent the Afternoon in my room writing--Towards evening 'Squire _Lee_ call'd in, & brought a late London News-Paper in which we are informed that another Act of Parliament has pa.s.s'd taking from the People of Boston all power of trying any Soldier, or Person whether for commiting any Crime; & obliging all such offenders to be sent home for legal Tryal--Heaven only knows where these tumults will End!--He informed us likewise that last Sat.u.r.day in Richmond (our neighbour County) the people drest & burnt with great marks of Destestation the infamous Lord _North_--Mrs _Carter_, after the 'Squire left us quite astonished me in the Course of the evening. with her perfect acquaintance with the American Const.i.tution--

_Sunday 19._

The day cool--Sermon is at Ucomico, so that we all stay at Home Mrs Carter was in the morning frightned thinking that several of the Negro-Girls in the Family are unwell with the Measles, but I believe it to be only a Frett of the Heat Ben is unwel; He has a sick Stomach; at Times aguish; complains of Pains in his Breast & Side; & in the morning Spits Blood. He keeps about however, but his fond Mama discovers great anxiety.--I spend the Day in my Room writing at my Sermon, & reading the plain & useful _Pictete_.

_Monday 20._

So cool that I sit with my Cloths b.u.t.toned, & am chilly. the children also complain of the cold; this must certainly be unwholesome weather--Breakfasted with us Mr _c.o.x_--Ben continues no better, he lays by Study to day & keeps in--I myself either conceit or in reality have a Fever & head-Ach to Day--Before twelve we had a moderate Shower no wind nor Thunder--Mrs _Carter_ wrote a note to Dr _Jones_ & Desired him to call & See _Ben_, towards evening he came; He thinks _Ben_ has only Symptoms of an Agu approaching--He prescribed some Physick--Drank Coffee with us, & went home about six--I lightens in the North.

_Teusday 21._

Harry is unwel, takes this morning Physick, and keeps his Room--Ben is in the same way--_Priscilla_ & Nancy are practising Musick, so that to Day we have only four in School--At five in the Evening, Ben, _Prissy_ & I rode out on Horse back for exercise; before we returned Captain _Dobby_, of the s.h.i.+p _Susannah_ an agreeable, sensible, polite Gentleman came, & 'Squire _Lee_--The conversation, at Coffee was on American affairs, the 'Squire shew'd us one of Mr Dunlaps papers,[180] in which are accounts that the Northern Colonies are zealous & stedfast in resolutions to maintain their Liberties--We sat til eleven--

[180] John Dunlap had established the _Pennsylvania Packet_ in 1771.

_Wednesday 22._

Breakfasted with us Captain _Dobby_, & Mr Taylor, their conversation promiscuous--Clear & warm, not sultry, _Harry_ better & in School, but _Ben_ continues indisposed. I wrote to Day some at my Sermon--After School, with Mrs Carter & the young Ladies & _Bob_, I walked through the Garden--But I seem not suited in being confin'd wholly at Home, yet my stay is quite voluntary--

_Thursday 23._

Very warm all the morning--From twelve to two I was writing at my Sermon--While we were at dinner a very black cloud rose in the West: Mrs Carter, is fearful when it thunders, so that I did not leave the Room till it was over, about four, there was a strong Gale of wind, some thunder, & a refres.h.i.+ng Shower. At five with Mrs Carter & the young Ladies I took a walk; She shewed me from a high Hill several beautiful Prospects--I was diverted tho it was a little cruel, to see the Girls gather the Blossoms of some p.r.i.c.kly-Pears.

_Fryday 24._

Lat night we had a Gust of Rain & Thunder; very acceptable--To Day in course Mr Christians Dance happens here--He came before Breakfast--Miss _Jenny Was.h.i.+ngton_ came also, & Miss _Priscilla Hale_ while we were at Breakfast--Miss Was.h.i.+ngton is about seventeen; She has not a handsome Face, but is neat in her Dress, of an agreeable Size, & well proportioned, & has an easy winning Behaviour; She is not forward to begin a conversation, yet when spoken to She is extremely affable, without a.s.suming any Girlish affectation, or pretending to be overcharg'd with Wit; She has but lately had oppertunity of Instruction in Dancing, yet She moves with propriety when she dances a _Minuet_ & without any _Flirts_ or vulgar _Capers_, when She dances a _Reel_ or _Country-Dance_: She plays well on the Harpsichord, & Spinet; understands the principles of Musick, & therefore performs her Tunes in perfect time, a Neglect of which always makes music intolerable, but it is a fault almost universal among [Ill.u.s.tration: formally dressed group]

young Ladies in the practice; She sings likewise to her instrument, has a strong, full voice, & a well-judging Ear; but most of the Virginia-Girls think it labour quite sufficient to thump the Keys of a Harpsichord into the air of a tune mechanically, & think it would be Slavery to submit to the Drudgery of acquiring Vocal Music; Her Dress is rich & well-chosen, but not tawdry, nor yet too plain; She appears to Day in a Chintz cotton Gown with an elegant blue Stamp, a Sky-Blue silk Quilt, spotted ap.r.o.n; Her Hair is a light Brown, it was c.r.a.p'd up, with two Rolls at each Side, & on the top a small cap of beautiful Gawze and rich Lace, with an artificial Flower interwoven--Her person & carriage at a small distance resembles not a little my much respected _Laura_. But on close examination her Features are something masculine, those of _Laura_ are mild and delicate: Mr _Christien_ very politely requested me to open the Dance by stepping a Minuet with this amiable Girl, but I excused myself by a.s.suring Him that I never was taught to Dance.--Miss Hale is about fourteen; a slim, puny silent Virgin; She has black Eyes, & black Hair, a good sett of Eye-Brows, which are esteem'd in Virginia essential to Beauty; She looks innocent of every human Failing, does not speak five Words in a Week, & I dare say from her Carriage that her Modesty is invincible; She is drest in a white Holland Gown, cotton Diaper quilt very fine, a Lawn ap.r.o.n, has her Hair c.r.a.p'd up, & on it a small Tuft of Ribbon for a Cap She is but just innitiated into the School, and only hobbles yet Once I saw her standing; I rose immediately and begg'd her to accept my Chair; She answered most kindly, "Sir I thank you." that was all I could extract from this Wonder of the s.e.x for the two Days she stay'd, & I seemed to have an equal Share too in the Favours of her Conversation; so that I cannot be any way particular in describing the mental faculties of Miss _Hale_. it is sufficient to say that I think She is far removed from most of the foibles of Women--Some time after these came Colonel Lee's[181] Chariot with five young Misses--These five, with Miss Was.h.i.+ngton & Miss Hale & Miss Nancy Carter, & Bob are Mr Christiens Compliment of Scholars in this School except Miss Turburville who is just now up the country with an Uncle, where She is to Stay some time together with Miss Corbin. Miss Betsy Lee[182] is about thirteen; a tall slim genteel Girl; She is very far from Miss Hale's taciturnity, yet is by no means disagreeably forward; She dances extremely well, & is just begining to play the Spinet--She is drest in a neat sh.e.l.l Callico Gown, has very light Hair done up with a Feather, & her whole carriage is easy inoffensive, & graceful--The other Miss Lee's are small Towards evening came in George Lee, & Mr _Grubb_, an English Gentleman; the Company danced after candle-light a Minuet round, three Country Dances, several Reels, when we were Rung to Supper after Supper we sit til twelve drinking loyal Toasts--

[181] Colonel Richard Henry Lee of "Chantilly."

[182] This Betsey Lee was perhaps Elizabeth, the daughter of John Lee of Ess.e.x County, a nephew of President Thomas Lee.

_Sat.u.r.day 25._

Ben & I slept til eight--we breakfasted at nine, soon after Christien collected his School and gave them a Lesson round--About ten the two Gentlemen left us. They quit Dancing about two--After Dinner Mrs _Carter_ & the young Ladies, with Mr _Christien_ Ben & Myself walked in the garden, & through the Pasture, There are several beautiful prospects of the green Bottoms, & of the River Nominy from the High hills--By Miss Was.h.i.+ngton I wrote a letter to Mr Lowe, acquainting him with what was done for him in the business he sent by me to Philadelphia. The Day is cool, & intirely agreeable & the Ground has been refreshed by a Shower or two lately--I am told that the people are already reaping not only Rye but Wheat in the Neighbourhood; certainly it is earlier than we reap to the Northward.--