Part 16 (1/2)

_Wednesday 16._

I happened last monday to offend _Prissy_, She retains her anger & seems peculiarly resentful!--_Ben_ agreed for half a Bit a Week to play the Flute every Night, or read, for me, twenty Minutes after I am in Bed.

[Ill.u.s.tration: teacher and students]

_Thursday 17._

Prissy seems much affronted; The Cause was as follows Monday afternoon, by Chance I tapp'd her on the Head, & wholly in Jest; She seem'd vex'd, but Teusday morning which is her day for practice on the Forte-Piano, after Breakfast, I desir'd her to walk over to the School, she refused, & gave for an Excuse that She must begin to play--Both these things laid together were the cause of her resentment.

_Fryday 18._

The Weather pleasant and moderate--_Bob_, _Nancy_, & _Prissy_, are setting off this morning to the Dance, which is at Mr _Was.h.i.+ngtons_[126]--

[126] At ”Bushfield” on the Potomac River.

_Sat.u.r.day 19._

at Dinner we were conversing on Reading, among many remarks the Colonel observed that, He would bet a Guinea that Mrs Carter reads more than the Parson of the paris.h.!.+ No panegyrick on the Gentleman? Mr Christian the Dancing Master, Came home with the young Ladies.

_Sunday 20._

Last Evening the virginia News-papers came; but nothing from the Northward.

Rode to Nomini Church; Parson Smith read Prayers, but it was too Cold a Day to give us a Sermon; After Service _Mr & Mrs Carter_, the Parson, his wife & Sister; Mr _Camel_ the Comptroler; _Ben_, _Bob_, Miss _Pierce_, Miss _Sanford_, and My self were invited to Colonel Was.h.i.+ngtons to Dinner. His House has the most agreeable Situation, of any I have yet seen in Maryland or Virginia; the broad Potowmack, which they account between 7 and 8 Miles over, washes his Garden on the North. the River Nomini is within a stones throw on the West, a levil open Country on the East; a Lane of a mile & three quarters accurately measur'd. lies from the House South-East it has from the House the whole distance a uniform Descent, & at the Gate at the End of this Lane the Situation is just six feet lower than at the House--There are no Marshes near, which altogether make the place exceeding Description. The Roads are now miry & disagreeable.

_Monday 21._

Prissy seems again reconciled--Miss _Stanhope_ the Housekeeper is ill of a Rheumatism--They are begining to work in the Garden with vigor.

Dined with us Docter _Franks_.

_Teusday 22._

Mr _Carter_ rode to the County-Court. I read to day several chapters in the Greek testament. Mr _Carter_ has given orders to his Hands to rigg, & fit his Schooner a Vessel of about 40 Tons for Business.

Docter Franks with us yet. Mrs _Carter_ was taken ill last Evening & has not been out of her chamber to Day. Miss _Stanhope_ the Housekeeper is also confin'd to her Room with Rheumatic Pains.

_Wednesday. 23._

Mr _Carter_ has an invitation to dine at Lee-Hall to Day, which he accepts--before Dinner came in Miss _Corbin,_ & Miss _Booth_; two young Ladies pretty well gone in what we call the Bloom of Life; Mr Carter was out, Mrs Carter is ill, & Ben was not Drest; Bob & I therefore at Dinner must be Directors of the ceremonies at Table! But happily for me I have them at last all by heart--At five Bob & I had the Pleasure to walk home with them, (for they were on foot) to a.s.sist them in Crossing the River Nomini which lies between us & Mr Turburville's. Evening Mrs Carter seems no better--Miss Sally came out of her Room--

_Thursday 24._

Frogs croaked last Evening. This morning the Birds of several kinds are singing; and some presages of Spring seem visible. Mrs Carter continues no better, A messenger is sent for Docter _Jones_, with orders, that if he is from Home to pursue him.--