Part 13 (2/2)

The Family in which I live, is so kind, & suitable to my Wish, that I would gladly continue in it--Or, at least, provide some well-qualified Person to succeed me since I must by previous Agreement, shortly leave it, as I do not propose to let my coming here put off my entering on the Great-World.

If I shall be so happy as to meet with you in the Spring, I will tell you many curious Occurrences of this Winter; but none with greater Truth than that I have been your constant Admirer.

PHILIP. V. FITHIAN.

[JOURNAL]

_Monday 10th_

The Morning very cold--Dined with us to-day Mr _Sanford_ a Captain of a Sloop which trades out of _Potowmack_ to _Norfolk_--I wrote out some Exercises for _Bob_ & _Harry_--In the Evening the Colonel began with a small Still to distill some Brandy from a Liquor made of Pisimmonds. I set Ben this Evening to writing. I likewise gave _Catalines_ Speech in _Sal.u.s.t_ to commit to memory in Latin, which he is to p.r.o.nounce Extempore. In the Evening I borrowed of _Ben Carter_ 15s.--I have plenty of Money with me, but it is in Bills of Philadelphia currency & will not pa.s.s at all here.

_Teusday 11._

The morning very cold--As cold I think, and the Frost seems to be as intense & powerful as I have ever known it either at Cohansie or at Princeton. This morning I put Ben to construe some Greek, he has yet no Testament, I gave him therefore Esops Fables in Greek, and Latin. I also took out of the Library, and gave him to read Gordon, upon Geography. Ben seem'd scared with his Greek Lesson, he swore, & wished for Homer that he might kick Him, as he had been told Homer invented Greek.

_Wednesday 12._

I gave _Sam_ Mr Carters Barber, for shaving & dressing me, & for mending my Shoes, two pisterenes, which pa.s.s here for half a Crown--The morning is serene, pleasant, but cold yet. Miss _Hariot_ this morning being over curious tasted some Mercury Mixture in Mr _Randolph's_ Room, it made her very sick; I was frighted, the family was frighted! she puked, & threw it off her Stomach, & was soon relieved--

I gave _Martha_ who makes my Bed, for a Christmas Box, a _Bit_, which is a pisterene cut into two equal parts--I gave to John also, who waits at Table & calls me to Supper a _Bit_. So that My whole Expence to-Day has been _3/9_. Mrs Carter invited me to Day to go to the Ball, I excused myself, & declined it.

_Thursday 13._

Mr Cunningham came before Noon to skait--At twelve we all went down to Mr Carters Millpond--none had skaits but Mr Cunningham--we diverted ourselves on the Ice til two, when we went up to dinner--Immediately after Dinner Mr _Carter_ Miss _Prissy_ & _Nancy_ rode out to Mr _Lanes_.--Mr _Cunningham_ staid the Night, Prissy play'd for us--She has since I came made great advances--

_Fryday 14._

The morning very foggy, & warmer--I gave to Tom the Coach-man who cured my Horse two _pisterenes_ & half a _Bit_, which is two & ninepence 2/9. Mr Cunningham breakfasted with us--When I went into School there came a complaint from Miss _Sally Stanhope_[114] of _Bob_ that he was rude, swore, & quarrell'd at Breakfast, poor untoward, unfortunate Boy he gives me great Trouble--

[114] Miss Sarah Stanhope was the housekeeper at ”Nomini Hall.”

_Sat.u.r.day 15._

I rose at seven--The morning fair the ground muddy--_Ben_ asked me to ride with him to Mr Blains Store I chose rather to stay at Home--Ben is preparing for the approaching Ball--Bob urged me to let him go to Mr Lees, but he is so unruly & mischeivous when abroad that I was obliged to refuse him the liberty of going. I spent some hours to Day with the Girls when they were practising Music on the Guitar, & Forte-piano, Priscilla plays her tunes true and exceeding finely--In the Evening _Ben_ returned from Mr Blains--He told me the Store was thronged with company--Sup'd on chocolate, & hoe-Cake, so called because baked on a Hoe before the fire--The Colonel and his Daughter busy at Music.

_Sunday 16._

The morning frosty & cold--_Ben_, _Bob_, _Harry_, & Mr _Randolph_ went to Church--I stay at Home; Read Pictete--I feel very desirous of seeing Home: of hearing good Mr Hunter Preach; of seeing my dear Brothers & Sister; Indeed the very soil itself would be precious to me!--I am shut up in my chamber; I read a while, then walk to the North window, & look over Potowmack through Maryland towards Home; then throw myself down into my Chair again & console myself that I have every necessary, & convenient Accommodation here, which I should have; nay much more than I should allow myself were I at Home. I am contented--This whole world is only a Point almost unnoticeable, when compared with the numerous _Systems_ which compose the _universe_, & yet they all are under the particular Direction & Government of _Almighty G.o.d_; How insignificant therefore is it for me and how foolish to be uneasy, & solicitous whether I live in _Cohansie_, in _Princeton_, or in _Virgininia_; Or in _America_, or in _Europe_, so long as I am still supported, & upheld by the Divine Agency!--I am fully satisfied--Guide me, propitious Heaven! Help me to Glorify my G.o.d; To honour the holy Religion which I profess; & If I shall be fitted, & introduced to the Ministry, may I still go on and be of advantage to my fellow Mortals!--

Evening, The Boys are returned; _Bob_ brings me the _parsons_ Compliments; Mr _Cunninghams_; & that Miss Corbin enquired If I was well!--Bob [also] informed me that the _Parson_, Mr _Blain_, _Cunningham_, _Balantine_, & others are to come to Captain _Turburvilles_ Mill-Pond to Skate before they go to the Ball--

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