Part 14 (1/2)
_Monday 17._
At Breakfast the Colonel gave orders to the Boys concerning their conduct this Day, & through the course of the Ball--He allows them to go; to stay all this Night; to bring him an Account of all the company at the Ball; & to return tomorrow Evening--All the morning is spent in Dressing.--Mr Carter & Mrs Carter pressed me to go; But, mindful of my Promise when I left Home, I stay and enjoy myself in quiet.--I give the Children a Holiday to Day--I gave Dennis the Waiter half a Bit a Present--Mrs _Carter_, Miss _Prissy_, & _Nancy_ dressed splendidly set away from Home at two.
_Teusday 18._
Mrs _Carter_, & the young Ladies came Home last Night from the Ball, & brought with them Mrs _Lane_, they tell us there were upwards of Seventy at the Ball; forty one Ladies; that the company was genteel; & that Colonel _Harry Lee_,[115] from _Dumfries_, & his Son _Harrey_ who was with me at College, were also there; Mrs Carter made this an argument, and it was a strong one indeed, that to-day I must dress & go with her to the Ball--She added also that She Desired my Company in the Evening when she should come Home as it would be late--After considering a while I consented to go, & was dressed--we set away from Mr Carters at two; Mrs _Carter_ & the young Ladies in the Chariot, Mrs Lane in a Chair, & myself on Horseback--As soon as I had handed the Ladies out, I was saluted by Parson _Smith_; I was introduced into a small Room where a number of Gentlemen were playing Cards, (the first game I have seen since I left Home) to lay off my Boots Riding-Coat&c--Next I was directed into the Dining-Room to see Young Mr _Lee_; He introduced me to his Father--With them I conversed til Dinner, which came in at half after four. The Ladies dined first, when some Good order was preserved; when they rose, each nimblest Fellow dined first--The Dinner was as elegant as could be well expected when so great an a.s.sembly were to be kept for so long a time.--For Drink, there was several sorts of Wine, good Lemon Punch, Toddy, Cyder, Porter &c.--About Seven the Ladies & Gentlemen begun to dance in the Ball-Room--first Minuets one Round; Second Giggs; third Reels; And last of All Country-Dances; tho' they struck several Marches occasionally--The Music was a French-Horn and two Violins--The Ladies were Dressed Gay, and splendid, & when dancing, their Silks & Brocades rustled and trailed behind them!--But all did not join in the Dance for there were parties in Rooms made up, some at Cards; some drinking for Pleasure; some toasting the Sons of america; some singing ”Liberty Songs” as they call'd them, in which six, eight, ten or more would put their Heads near together and roar, & for the most part as unharmonious as an affronted--Among the first of these Vociferators was a young Scotch-Man, Mr _Jack Cunningham_; he was nimis bibendo appotus; noisy, droll, waggish, yet civil in his way & wholly inoffensive--I was solicited to dance by several, Captain Chelton, Colonel Lee, Harry Lee, and others; But George Lee,[116] with great Rudeness as tho' half drunk, asked me why I would come to the Ball & neither dance nor play Cards? I answered him shortly, (for his Impudence moved my resentment) that my Invitation to the Ball would Justify my Presence; & that he was ill qualified to direct my Behaviour who made so indifferent a Figure himself--Parson Smiths, & Parson Gibberns Wives danced, but I saw neither of the Clergymen either dance or game[117]--At Eleven Mrs Carter call'd upon me to go, I listned with gladness to the summons & with Mrs Lane in the Chariot we rode Home, the Evening sharp and cold!--I handed the Ladies out, waited on them to a warm Fire, then ran over to my own Room, which was warm and had a good Fire; oh how welcome! Better this than to be at the Ball in some corner nodding, and awaked now & then with a midnight Yell!--In my Room by half after twelve; & exceeding happy that I could break away with Reputation.--
[115] Colonel Henry Lee of ”Leesylvania.”
[116] Apparently George Fairfax Lee of ”Mount Pleasant.”
[117] Parson Giberne was not so fortunate in escaping criticism on other occasions. Fithian, himself, notes his gambling several times, and the Reverend Jonathan Boucher, Landon Carter and Robert Wormeley Carter all comment upon it in their journals.
_Wednesday 19._
Rose at Nine while the Bell was ringing--Breakfasted at ten, Mr _Carter_ and I alone, the Ladies yet in Bed--I gave the Children the third Holiday; _Bob_ _Ben_ & _Harry_ are yet at the Dance--Mrs Carter declines going to Day, I took a Walk out before Dinner, & with my Pen-knife carved _Laura's_ much admired Name, upon a smooth beautiful Beech-Tree--Towards Evening Mrs Lane left us & rode home--_Bob_ came Home about six, but so sleepy that he is actually stupified!--
_Thursday 20._
_Ben_ came Home late in the Night--This morning he looks fatigued out.
We began to study to Day but all seem sleepy and dull. Dined with us to-day Mr _Lee_ a Gentleman from Augusta County, who has lately been to the Settlements on Ohio.
Evening I began some Verses on Miss Carter for a present at the approaching Valantine[118]--But I drew the Picture from Laura.
[118] See this valentine in Appendix, pp. 230-233.
_Fryday 21._
All seem tolerably recruited this morning; we hear, the company left the Ball last Evening, quite wearied out; tho' the Colonel intreated them to stay the proposed Time.
To Day about twelve came to Mr _Carters_ Captain _John Lee_, a Gentleman who seems to copy the Character of _Addisons Will Wimble_.
When I was on my way to this place I saw him up in the country at Stafford; he was then just sallying out on his Winters Visit, & has got now so far as here, he stays, as I am told about eight, or ten Weeks in the year at his own House, the remaining part he lives with his waiting Man on his Friends.--
_Sat.u.r.day 22._
Captain Lee with us to Day--The Weather cold; I set in my Room all Day working at my Verses for Miss Carter.
_Sunday 23._
None went to Church on account of the Cold--Afternoon the Sun shone fair--I took my Horse & rode about a Mile & returned--Captain _Lee_ left us this Day.
_Monday 24._