Part 18 (1/2)

_Sat.u.r.day 12._

I rose by six--Breakfasted with us Captain _Blackwel_; master of a s.h.i.+p lying in _Ucomico_--I heard _Harry_, Miss _f.a.n.n.y_, & _Besy_ repeat their catechism--At ten Mr Lane called on us to go on Board Captain Blackwels s.h.i.+p to Dine--We consented and set off by Eleven; We rode to a place called Horn-Point, which is about a Mile up the River Ucomico, & in sight of the wide _Potowmac_, off this point at about a Quarter of a miles Distance lay Captain Griggs, & Captain Blackwels s.h.i.+ps, they sent immediately a Boat to carry us on board, but on telling us that neither of the Captains were at Home, we chose rather to turn Back--The distance from Mr _Carters_ to this Point, is called twelve miles; the Land seems to be exceeding poor, as it is covered for most of the way with Large _Pines_, & shrubby _Savins_, & dest.i.tute almost intirely of Cultivation--From Horn-Point we agreed to ride to one Mr Camels, who is Controller of the customs &c here; cheifly to see a Daughter of his to whom we were equally strangers, we arrived at Mr Camels about two o-Clock, & were severally introduced to Miss Pinkstone Camel, a young woman of about sixteen, neat, handsome, genteel, & sociable; & in my opinion she possesses as much of these as any young Lady in Virginia whom I have yet seen--It has been Mr Camels misfortune, in the course of trade, to be reduced to low circ.u.mstances, on which account his Family does not now meet with so great respect, as I am told they formerly did--

From Horn Point to the Comptrolers, the distance is call'd four miles.

Before Dinner we Borrowed the Comptrolers Barge, which is an over grown Canoe, & diverted ourselves in the River which lies full fronting the House; & we were the better pleased with the sport as all our motions were in the sight of Miss Camel--We dined at half after three on Fish, & wild Duck--our drink Grogg, & Water. From the Comptrolers at 5 o-Clock we set of Homewards; we call'd on our way at Captain _Meddletons_,[135] whom I take to be exceedingly Profane in his Language; we were introduced to his two Daughters; they seemed however aukward in their Behaviour, & dull, & saturnine in their Disposition--The distance from the Comptrolers to Captain seven Miles--We left there at eight in the evening, & rode to Mr Joseph Lanes Esqr which distance is called five miles, & arrive at 9 o-Clock--here we had an elegant Supper--with good _Porter_ & Madeira--after Supper, when call'd on for my Toast, I gave Miss _Betsy Beaty_ of Newington, Pennsylvania--At half after ten we set off and rode home; Distance three miles, Our poor Horses went the distances which I have laid down and were not fed in the course of the day; as they have no taverns in these parts--Our whole Distance 31 Miles Expence to the Sailors for their trouble is 1s 10d. Exceedingly fatigued with Riding.

[135] Middleton.

_Sunday 13._

Soon after Breakfast Captain Scott (master of a Schooner laden with Wheat, & bound from Alexandria for Philadelphia, which about ten days past in a gale of wind run aground and is like to lose her Cargo) come to hire Mr Carters Schooner to a.s.sist in unloading her that the vessel may be saved; the vessel run aground, & now lies nearly opposite the mouth of the River Nomini in Potowmack!--The Colonel is engaged in taking off a Description of the River _Ucomico_; the Road from hence to Horn-Point; & Mondays-Point[136] with the Houses on the several ways--This day I declin'd going to Church, chiefly on account of my Horse, who went so far yesterday--It is however the first time that I have kept myself at home in good weather--Evening Mr Carter received a Packet of Letters from _Anopolis_ by the Post, but none comes to me this long Winter--Bob to-day rode to Richmond Church, & in the Evening brought from Counsellor _Taylor_[137] a strong invitation to come and see him.

[136] Mundy's Point is located on the Yeocomico River near the mouth of that stream.

[137] Colonel John Tayloe of ”Mount Airy.”

_Monday 14._

Bob this morning begg'd me to learn him lattin; his Reason he tells me is that yesterday Mrs _Taylor_[138] told him he must not have either of her Daughters unless he learn'd Latin he urged me so strong that I put him some Lessons for leasure hours. Rainy most of this day, & in the afternoon from the West arose a black cloud which was attended with several pretty hard Claps of Thunder--We had with us one Mr _Neal_ a good Sort of self sufficient Gentleman--

[138] Mrs. John Tayloe of ”Mount Airy” was the former Rebecca Plater, daughter of Governor George Plater of Maryland.

_Teusday 15._

This morning, as Ben & Bob were agreeing on the price of a Rudiman Grammar, which _Bob_ wanted to purchase of _Ben_; after some time when Bob would not give 2/10. Bens great demand for a Book almost worn out, which when new, may, by thousands be had in Philadelphia for 2/.

that Currency--He threw his Book into the fire, & destroy'd it at once!--An Instance of two ruling Foibles which I discover in Ben viz.

obstinacy, & avarice. And another I mentioned the other day, of his agreeing, for half a Bit, or 3d a week, to play the flute for a limited time, every night after I am in Bed; of this however he has grown tired, & given up his wages on account of the Labour, or Confinement of the Task--And I should be deceived, if a very little money would not excite him to submit to almost any menial service--Bob however; for the present is frustrated in his purpose of learning Grammer, & it seems to chagrin him as much, as tho' he actually believed in what Mrs Taylor[139] told him last Sunday, that without he understands Latin, he will never be able to win a young Lady of Family & fas.h.i.+on for his Wife.--At the Noon play-Hours _Bob_ & _Nelson_ the Boy who waits on the School had a fight, I know not on what account; it was Bobs misfortune in the course of the Battle to receive a blow on his cheek near his Eye, which is visible, & brought the intelligence of the Quarrel to me, for all were wholly silent till I made inquiry, when all in a moment seem'd to turn & try to convict him--In the Evening, after School, I took them both to my Room and examined them of the reason, Place, and manner of their fighting; from themselves it seem'd plain that they fought for mere Diversion I therefore dismiss'd Nelson, & kept Bob til near Supper & then gave him a smart correction & dismiss'd him.

[139] Mrs. Tayloe.

_Wednesday 16._

The morning cloudy & windy, Breakfasted at nine--Mr Randolph hurt himself by a Fall from a fence to day badly--Dined at half after two--Towards Evening the clouds all scattered, the wind fell, & left the air pleasant: The Birds also seemed glad and merry--The whole reminded me of a beautiful, & memorable pa.s.sage in _Milton_. ”If Chance the Radiant Sun with farewel-Sweet, Extend his Evening Beam the fields revive, The Birds their notes renew, the bleating Herds Attest their joy that Hill & valley rings.”

After school, I had the honour of taking a walk with Mrs Carter through the Garden--It is beautiful, & I think uncommon to see at this Season peas all up two & three Inches--We gathered two or three Cowslips in full-Bloom; & as many violets--The English Honey Suckle is all out in green & tender Leaves--Mr Gregory is grafting some figs--Mrs Carter shewed me her Apricot-Grafts; Asparagus Beds &c Before Supper a Black cloud appeared in the West, at which Mrs Carter discovered much concern as She is uncommonly affraid both of wind and Thunder.

_Thursday 17._

This morning Mr Carter put Miss _f.a.n.n.y_ to learning the Notes--While we were breakfasting Mr _Stadley_ the musician came; Miss _Prissy_ is with him; _Nancy_ learns the _Guitar_, under the direction of her _Papa_, as Mr Stadley does not understand playing on the _Guitar_--Dined with us a young Gentleman Mr Fantleroy from _Hobbes-Hole_--He seems to be a modest sensible, genteel young Fellow--I had the pleasure of taking a walk in the Garden at five with Mr _Stadley_; _Bob_ along--He is a man of Sense, & has great Skill in music. I spent the Evening in the Room in the midst of music.

_Fryday 18._