Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian Part 29

You’re reading novel Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian Part 29 online at LightNovelFree.com. Please use the follow button to get notification about the latest chapter next time when you visit LightNovelFree.com. Use F11 button to read novel in full-screen(PC only). Drop by anytime you want to read free – fast – latest novel. It’s great if you could leave a comment, share your opinion about the new chapters, new novel with others on the internet. We’ll do our best to bring you the finest, latest novel everyday. Enjoy!

Mr Peck informs me that he is to succeed me in this place--Mr _Hunter_ & Mr Ewing inform me of the Death of Uncle Ephraim Seeley! That he died of a _Diabetes_ which has long troubled him! He has left no Doubt a mourning Family--Mr _Hunter_ writes me word that _Andrew_ was licensed to preach about the middle of June. Laura says--They all express with Concern the great Commotions which at present exist through the Colonies.

_Wednesday 27._

Somehow I have taken a bad Cold, & am low-spirited to Day--The Colonel was all the forenoon down at the _Harriot_ in the Sun, so that when we went in to dine he seem'd fatigued & eat nothing--We have an Addition to our numerous Family, one Mr ---- I forget his name, he is a Cooper, tho', & an Irishman, & seems to be pretty smart; I sat the Evening with him in Mr Randolphs Room.

_Thursday 28._

Evening, after the Sun had gone, with _Priss_ I walked in the Garden.

we gathered some few Figs which are just growing ripe--My Leisure to Day I spent in finis.h.i.+ng off my Latin Exercises.

_Fryday 29._

I feell wholly relieved of my cold--I wrote & sent to the Post a Letter to Mr _John Peck_, to remind & hurry him in his way here--O! it is very hot--The wind itself seems to be heated! We have a fine Room, & sufficiently open; & I dress in a thin Waist-Coat, & a loose, light linen Gown; The _Boys_, _Harry_ & _Bob_ have nothing on, in School, but their s.h.i.+rts & Breeches; and I laugh'd cordially to see the contrivance of _f.a.n.n.y_, the loveliest of them all, to grow cool, She sat on a low bench, & put her Hand in her pocket, & seem'd exceeding diligent in looking for something--But before She took out her hand She had off both her Stockings, & left them both in her pocket!--Mrs _Carter_ in particular seems to be overcome with the extreme Heat & looks like a fainting, expiring yet lovely Creature!--At seven I rode out to the Corn-field, the Sun was almost down, & was hid behind a large white thick Cloud where it Thunders--The Corn is roll'd up with the heat & Drouth! Yet it is strange there is no Musquetoes--I have seen one & heard another, & this is the whole compliment I have either _seen_, _heard_ or _felt_ since I have been in _Virginia_--While we were drinking _Coffee_ the Lightning, as it began to grow Dark, began to stream, it was at some Distance, but was incessant, bright, & awful--The Colonel, however sat, & with unmoved Composure observed it;

_Sat.u.r.day 30._

The weather is something cooler & bearable this Morning--_Frank Christien_ one of Mr _Lowe's_ Scholars came to visit _Harry_ & _Bob_, so that I discharged them about eleven, & retired to my Chamber to writing--I sent Mr _George Lee_ a note this morning begging him to excuse _Ben_ & I from attending his Fish-Feast this Day--Captain _Dobby_ dined with us; he is a Man of much Spirit and Humour: A great Mimick--He acquainted us that at Hobbs's-Hole this Day is a Boat-Race on the River Rappahannock Each Boat is to have 7 Oars: to row 2 Mile out & 2 Miles in round a Boat lying at Anchor--The Bett 50--And that in the Evening there is a great Ball to be given--I believe both the _Rowers_ & _dancers_, as well _Ladies_ as _Gentlemen_ will perspire freely--Or in plain English they will soak in Sweat! The Captain invited us on Board his s.h.i.+p next Teusday to Dine with him & wish them a pleasant Pa.s.sage as the s.h.i.+p is to Sail the day following--If the Weather is not too burning hot I shall go provided the Others go likewise. Ben towards evening rode to Colonel Tayloe's--

[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO GEORGE LEE]

To Mr. George Lee. July 30th. 1774.

SIR.

With my compliments I am to inform you that _Ben_:-_Carter_ is, of necessity, to go this day into _Richmond_; and as my company alone will not be equal to the trouble you must be at I give you this timely notice that you may avoid it,

I am, with my thanks for your Invitation, Sir, Your most humble Servt: P. V. FITHIAN.

[JOURNAL]

_Sunday 31._

Daddy _Gumby_ saw me walking--I had just got up, it was early I had only a Gown thrown round me--He walked towards me--Well Master you never call for no Eggs. I can now give you a _Water Melon_--No, Thomas, with your Wife & family enjoy these things. I am well provided for--Well, Master, I promised you Eggs, for writing you will think I never designed to pay you--G.o.d yonder in Heaven Master will burn _Lyars_ with _Fire_ & _Brimstone_!--I speak Truth I will not deceive you Men are wicked, Master; look see the Gra.s.s is burnt: G.o.d burns it to punish us! Is the ground dry, Dadda. O! all dry, all burnt--Pray, Pray, Master, do you go to Church?--No No Dadda it is too hot--Too hot, Good G.o.d, too hot! I shall affront you, Master--Too hot to serve the Lord! Why I that am so old & worn out go on Foot.--I felt a little non plus'd, I confess, but walk'd to my Room & went none to Church--I expected that we should have had prayrs at home, but it was not mentioned--f.a.n.n.y towards Evening brought me half a _Water-Melon_--I accepted & thank'd the little pretty s.l.u.t, she seems so artless, & delicate I esteem her exceedingly--I walked out about Sun-set, when it is a little cool, along the River Nominy--

_Monday August 1st 1774._

The Colonel rode to Richmond Court--The morning very hot--A Cloud appeared about two o Clock as we were going to Dinner in the West where it thundered--Mrs. _Carter_ kept her Chamber--There is almost no Rain--I looked to day over Dr _Burney's_ present State of Musick in Germany--I think it more entertaining than realy useful--Ben to Day begun the _Eneid_--Poor Mr _Randolph_ seems to be sickening with the _Ague_ & _Fever_!--Evening the Colonel returned & gave us Captain Dobby's repeated Invitation.

_Teusday 2._

_Ben_ & I drest ourselves pretty early with an intention to Breakfast with Colonel _Tayloe_, but the Servant who went with us was so slow in preparing that we breakfasted before we set out--We arrived at Colonel Tayloe's however by half after nine--The young Ladies we found in the Hall playing the Harpsichord--The morning cool with a fine Breeze from the North for I forgot to mention that about Midnight last Night a violent Gust of Blackness, Rain, & Thunder came on & gave us present Relief from the scorching Sun; there was no Dust & the riding was pleasant--The Colonel, his Lady, Miss Polly, Miss Kitty, Miss Sally, rode in their Great Coach to the Ferry--Distance about 4 miles--Ben & I on Horseback--From Colonel Tayloe's to this Ferry opposite to Hobbs's Hole the Land is levil & extremely good; Corn here looks very rank is set thick with Ears, & they are high & large, three commonly on a Stalk--Here I saw about an Acre & a half of Flax, which the people were just pulling, exceedingly out of Season--This is the only Flax I have seen since I have been in the Colony; I am told they raise much in the upper Counties--Here too is a great Marsh covered with thick high Reed--The Face of this part of the Country looks fertile, but I apprehend it is far from being healthy--We came to the Bank of the Rappahannock; it is here about 2 Miles over the s.h.i.+pping on the other Side near the Town lying at Anchor look fine; no large Vessels can haul along the Wharves on account of shoal Water--There were six s.h.i.+ps riding in the Harbour, and a number of Schooners & smaller Vessels--Indeed, says Mrs _Tayloe_, Captain Dobby has forgot us. here we have been waiting for a full half hour, shall we take the Ferry Boat Colonel & cross over, & not stand any longer in the burning heat?--I was pleased not a little with the proposal tho' at the same time, I laughed with myself at Mrs Tayloe's truely Womanish impatience!--At last they are coming--The long-Boat came, well furnished with a large Awning, and rowed with four Oars--We entered the s.h.i.+p about half after twelve where we were received by Captain Dobby, with every possible token of welcome--Since I have been in Virginia, my inclination, & my fixed purpose before I left home, both of which were very much a.s.sisted by a strict Attention to the instructing my little Charge, these have kept me pretty constantly, almost wholly, indeed out of that kind of Company where dissipation & Pleasure have no restraint--This entertainment of Captain Dobby's, elegant indeed, & exceeding agreeable, I consider as one among a prodigeous throng of more powerful similar Causes, of the fevers & other Disorders which are common in this Colony, & generally attributed to the Climate which is thought to be noxious & unhealthy.

The Weather here indeed is remarkably variable But taking away & changing the usual & necessary Time of Rest; Violent Exercise of the Body & Spirits; with drinking great quant.i.ties of variety of Liquors, these bring on Virginia Fevers--The Beaufort is a Stately s.h.i.+p; Captain Dobby had an Awning from the Stern over the Quarter quite to the Mizen-Mast, which made great Room, kept off the Sun, & yet was open on each Side to give the Air a free pa.s.sage. At three we had on Board about 45 Ladies, and about 60 Gentlemen besides the s.h.i.+ps Crew, & Waiters Servants &c. We were not throng'd at all, & dined all at twice--I was not able to inform myself, because it seemed improper to interrupt the General pleasure, with making circ.u.mstantial inquiries concerning Individuals, & saying pray, Sir, what young Lady is that yonder in a Lute-String Gown? She seems genteel; where does her Father live? Is she a Girl of Family & Breeding? Has She any Suitors? This when one could not be out of the Inspection of the Company, would have seemed impertinent so that I did not much enlarge my Acquaintance with the Ladies, which commonly seems pleasing & desirable to me; But I took Notice of Several, & shall record my remarks--The Boats were to Start, to use the Language of Jockeys, immediately after Dinner; A Boat was anch.o.r.ed down the River at a Mile Distance--Captain _Dobby_ and Captain _Benson_ steer'd the Boats in the Race--Captain _Benson_ had 5 Oarsmen; Captain _Dobby_ had 6--It was _Ebb-Tide_--The Betts were small--& chiefly given to the Negroes who rowed--Captain Benson won the first Race--Captain Purchace offered to bett ten Dollars that with the same Boat & same Hands, only having Liberty to put a small Weight in the Stern, he would beat Captain _Benson_--He was taken, & came out best only half the Boats Length--About Sunset we left the s.h.i.+p, & went all to Hobbs's Hole, where a _Ball_ was agreed on--This is a small Village, with only a few Stores, & Shops, it is on a beautiful River, & has I am told commonly six, eight, & ten s.h.i.+ps loading before it the Crews of which enliven the Town--Mr Ritche[192]

Merchant; he has great influence over the People, he has great Wealth; which in these scurvy Times gives Sanction to Power; nay it seems to give countenance to Tyranny--The Ball Room--25 Ladies--40 Gentlemen--The Room very long, well-finished, airy & cool, & well-seated--two Fidlers--Mr _Ritche_ stalk'd about the Room--He was Director, & appointed a st.u.r.dy two fisted Gentleman to open the Ball with Mrs _Tayloe_--He danced midling tho'. There were about six or eight married Ladies--At last Miss _Ritche_ danced a Minuet with ---- She is a tall slim Girl, dances nimble & graceful--She was _Ben Carters_ partner--Poor Girl She has had the third Day Ague for twelve months past, and has it yet She appeared in a blue Silk Gown; her Hair was done up neat, without powder, it is very Black & Set her to good Advantage--Soon after he danced Miss _Dolly Edmundson_[193]--A Short pretty Stump of a Girl; She danced well, sung a Song with great applause, seemed to enter into the Spirit of the entertainment--A young Spark seemed to be fond of her; She seemed to be fond of him; they were both fond, & the Company saw it--He was Mr Ritche's Clerk, a limber, well dress'd, pretty-handsome Chap he was--The insinuating Rogue waited on her home, in close Hugg too, the Moment he left the Ball-Room--Miss _Aphia Fantleroy_ danced next, the best Dancer of the whole absolutely--And the finest Girl--Her head tho' was powdered white as Snow, & c.r.a.p'd in the newest Taste--She is the Copy of the G.o.ddess of Modesty--Very handsome; she seemed to be loved by all her Acquaintances, and admir'd by every Stranger, Miss _McCall_--Miss _Ford_--Miss _Brokenberry_[194]--_Ball_--Two of the younger Miss _Ritche's_--Miss _Wade_--They danced till half after two. Captain Ritche invited Ben & I, Colonel Tayloe & his Family with him--We got to Bed by three after a Day spent in constant Violent exercise, & drinking an unusual Quant.i.ty of Liquor; for my part with Fatigue, Heat, Liquor, Noise, Want of sleep, And the exertion of my Animal spirits, I was almost brought to believe several times that I felt a Fever fixing upon me, attended with every Symptom of the Fall Disorders--

[192] Archibald Ritchie was a prominent merchant of Hobb's Hole.

[193] The Edmundsons were a prominent family in Ess.e.x County. Thomas Edmundson, whose will was proved in 1759, had a daughter named Dorothy Edmundson.

[194] The Brockenbrough family had been a well-known one in Richmond County since the beginning of the eighteenth century. William Brockenbrough (1715-c.1778) had married Elizabeth Fauntleroy, whose sister Mary was the wife of Parson Giberne.

[Ill.u.s.tration: dance party]

_Wednesday 3._

We were call'd up to Breakfast at half after eight--We all look'd dull, pale, & haggard!--From our Beds to Breakfast--Here we must drink hot Coffee on our parching Stomachs!--But the Company was enlivening--Three of the Miss Tayloe's--Three Miss Ritche's--And Miss _Fantleroy_--This loveliest of all the Ring is yet far below--_Laura_ If they were set together for the choice of an utter Stranger; he would not reflect, but in a moment spring to the Girl that I mean to regard--After Breakfast the young Ladies favoured us with several Tunes on the Harpsichord--They all play & most of them in good Taste--at eleven we went down to the River; the s.h.i.+ps Long Boat was waiting, Captain _Purchace_ of the _Beaufort_ helped us on Board--I gave the Boatswain a Pisterene for his trouble--Half a Bit for the Pasture of my Horse--We rode to Colonel Tayloe's--The Ladies all retired for a nap before Dinner. We sat in the Hall, & conversed with the Colonel a sensible, agreeable Sociable person--Miss _Garrot_ is Governess of the Young Ladies; She too is chatty, satirical, neat, civil, had many merry remarks at Dinner, we staid til about six took our Leave, & rode Home--Found all well; gave an account of ourselves, of our entertainment, & of our Company to Mr & Mrs Carter at Coffee--& retired soon to Bed--

_Thursday 4._

I made out to get up by seven--A little fatigued tho'--Many are sickening with a Fever, & great numbers have the Ague--Protect me if it be thy will, G.o.d of my Life, & give me a Heart to praise thy name for all my Favours--Dined with us the Inspector--I walked through the Garden, several times banis.h.i.+ng by solitude, as much as possible reflection on several Days past.--

_Fryday 5._

I have no Stockings; & I swear I wont go to the Dancing School This was the first I heard of _Bob_--Are Bob & Nancy gone to Mr _Turberville's_ said the Colonel at Breakfast--_Nancy_ is gone Sir, Bob stays at Home he has no shoes! poh! What nonsense! says the Colonel--Call _Bob_, & Call the Clerk--He sent Mr Randolph to the Store for a pair of Shoes, Bob he took to his Study and flogg'd severely for not having given seasonable Notice, & sent him instantly to the Dance--

_Sat.u.r.day 6._

Last night, & this morning haizy mistty the Wind South East threatens a Rain--Transcribing my pieces, yesterday and to Day--I had a strong invitation to Dr Thompsons Fish-Feast, but the Rainy Weather hindred; I spent the Day in Quiet in my Chamber writing--Dadda Gumbey sent me a small Water-Melon.

_Sunday 7._

I set out for Church--It was cloudy, it Thundered in the West: But I rode on Bob was with me--We arrived at the Church & had our Saddles put into a Chariot--When a violent Gust came on--We were all in the Church; many Ladies were present--The Thunder was violent! Many discovered great Terror--Neither the Parson, nor Clerk attended--There we sat in Silence til the Storm was over, when each sallied out & splashed homewards--Mr & Mrs Carter were to have gone by Water--They had set off But saw the Cloud befor they had rowed far, & wisely returned--Towards Evening Miss Betsy _Carter_, Miss Polly _Carter_ of Richmond, & Miss _Turberville_ came over to see our Girls. Miss Betsy plays the Harpsichord extremely well, better I think than any young Lady I have seen in Virginia.

_Monday 8._

All once more in School--Dined with us _George Lee_ & Mr _Grubb_--They spent the afternoon at the great House--After Coffee Lee rode Home--Mr _Grubb_ staid with us all night--Dennis came into our Room to bring us a Bowl of Punch; Grubb shut the Door, and accused him of having been caught with Bett, the Dairy Girl, in the Stable last Sat.u.r.day Night--Dennis seem'd in great distress, he denied the Fact tho' with great steadiness--Nelson our Boy came in with a candle--Dennis here, says _Grubb_ to _Nelson_, has been accusing you, Sir, of several crimes; he says you gave him half a _Bitt_ last Sat.u.r.day Night, to stand at the Stable-Door while he with Bett--Nelson star'd--Grubb opened a huge _Molls Atlas_ that lay in the Room; & read off their Case & indictment--The Boys seem'd crazy--We dismiss'd them when all the novelty was over, but they darted like Indians so soon as they were at liberty--We sat up til eleven--Ben drank for his Toast, Miss _Julia Stockton_ of New Jersey; Grubb Miss Betsy Carter--I with pleasure the Rival of them all--

_Teusday 9._

I propose to visit Dr Jones to Day say's Mrs _Carter_ at Breakfast--See & have the Carriage ready for me by ten o-Clock _Benny_--She took with her _Priss_, and _Nancy_--We have a thin School--Mr _Grubb_ dined with us--Staid til evening, when with Ben he rode home--I finished & glad enough I feel my Latin Thesis--The Weather is now very tolerable, we had to Day a fine Shower about twelve--

_Wednesday 10._

All in School--Miss _f.a.n.n.y_ very much troubled with the festered Bites of _Seed Ticks_--Mr _Stadley_, whom I always see with Pleasure came towards evening--After School he gave the Girls a lesson each--About Six we have a fine Shower, with Thunder and Lightning, especiall in the evening the Lightning Sharp--

Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian Part 29

You're reading novel Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian Part 29 online at LightNovelFree.com. You can use the follow function to bookmark your favorite novel ( Only for registered users ). If you find any errors ( broken links, can't load photos, etc.. ), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible. And when you start a conversation or debate about a certain topic with other people, please do not offend them just because you don't like their opinions.


Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian Part 29 summary

You're reading Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian Part 29. This novel has been translated by Updating. Author: Philip Vickers Fithian already has 733 views.

It's great if you read and follow any novel on our website. We promise you that we'll bring you the latest, hottest novel everyday and FREE.

LightNovelFree.com is a most smartest website for reading novel online, it can automatic resize images to fit your pc screen, even on your mobile. Experience now by using your smartphone and access to LightNovelFree.com

RECENTLY UPDATED NOVEL