Journal Of A Young Lady Of Virginia, 1782 Part 4

October 24.

We were entertained last night in the usual way--dancing. We have just returned from taking a delightful walk. We went to the peach orchard and eat a great many fine peaches. They are seldom met with this time of the year.

October 25.

[Sidenote: _Lee Hall._ Residence of Richard Lee.]

To-day we dine at _Lee Hall_--that is, at the Squire's. To-morrow we dine at _Bushfield_, with the _Pecatone_ Family. Adieu; I will write when I get there.

I am at _Lee Hall_. Mrs. Lee is very polite. We found a Mrs. Ball here.

She has the remains of a very pretty Woman, and appears to have a fixt melancholy on her countenance. I expect to see Nancy to-morrow at Bushfield--pray send I may. Mr. Beal and Mr. Pinkard are come. Adieu: I am called to supper.

October 26.

I have but one moment to tell you we are just going to set out for _Bushfield_. Mr. Turberville's Coach is waiting for us at the road.

October 27.

When we got here we found the House pretty full. Nancy was here. I had to dress in a great hurry for dinner. We spent the evening very agreeably in chatting. Milly Was.h.i.+ngton is a thousand times prettyer than I thought her at first, and very agreeable. About sunset, Nancy, Milly, and myself took a walk in the Garden [it is a most butifull place]. We were mighty busy cutting thistles to try our sweethearts, when Mr. Was.h.i.+ngton caught us; and you can't conceive how he plagued us--chased us all over the Garden, and was quite impertinent.

I must tell you of our frolic after we went in our room. We took it into our heads, to want to eat; well, we had a large dish of bacon and beaf; after that, a bowl of Sago cream; and after that, an apple pye. While we were eating the apple pye in bed--G.o.d bless you! making a great noise--in came Mr. Was.h.i.+ngton, dressed in Hannah's short gown and peticoat, and seazed me and kissed me twenty times, in spite of all the resistance I could make; and then Cousin Molly. Hannah soon followed, dress'd in his Coat. They joined us in eating the apple pye, and then went out. After this we took it in our heads to want to eat oysters. We got up, put on our rappers, and went down in the Seller to get them: do you think Mr. Was.h.i.+ngton did not follow us and scear us just to death.

We went up tho, and eat our oysters. We slept in the old Lady's room too, and she sat laughing fit to kill herself at us. She is a charming old lady--you would be delighted with her. I forgot to tell, Mr. Beal attended us here. I have been makeing Milly play on the forti-pianer for me; she plays very well. I am more and more delighted with her. She has just returned from the Fredericksburg races, and has given me a full account of them.

I have been filling out tea, and after that we took a walk to the river by Moonlight. The garden extends to the river. Nancy observed walking by moonlight, she thought, reminded us of our absent Friends. I joined her in thinking so, and my thoughts were at that instant with my Polly. We returned in the house, and I prevailed on Milly to entertain us an hour or two on the forti-pianer. We wanted very much to sleep in a room by ourselves to-night and try the _dum cake_, but could not persuade Nancy--she was afraid to sleep in the room with us.

October 28.

[Sidenote B: _Nomini._]

To-day, which is Sunday, we dine at Doctor Thomson's,[B] and in the evening go to _Chantilly_. Nancy stays, and goes to-Morrow with Corbin and Hannah in the Pheyton. Adieu, my ever dear Polly.

October 29.

[Sidenote C: Beal's--a family distinguished in the Revolution. This one is probably the same who was an officer in the war. Died a bachelor.]

_Chantilly._ We got here late last night. In the evening, at Doctor Thomson's, we heard, just by, there were six people to be dipt. We had Curiosity to see them, and accordingly went. I a.s.sure you it is a very Solemn Sight. We brought two Beaux home with us--Mr. Beal[C] and Mr.

Stark.

October 30.

To-day is rainy and disagreeable, which will prevent their comeing from _Bushfield_. I have entertained myself all day reading _Telemachus_. It is really delightful, and very improveing. Just as I have seated myself they are come to tell me tea is ready. Farewell.

October 31.

Mr. Beal is still here. I a.s.sure you I think him very clever. Nancy is not yet come. I am quite lost without her. I have seated myself at Nancy's desk to scribble a little--interrupted already. It is Cousin Molly. She is come to propose dressing Mr. Pinkard in Woman's cloaths. I a.s.sent, so away goes the pen.

Just as we had got Mr. Pinkard dress't, came Corbin, Hannah, and Nancy.

Nov. 1.

Nancy and myself have just returned from a delightful walk. What do you think of her? She sais she could almost sware Mr. Beal is my slave! I laugh, and tell her there is nothing in it; nor do I believe he is.

Mr. Pinkard came in just now, and like to have taken this from me, tho I luckily got it in my pocket before he could get it.

Nov. 2.

To-day, Corbin and Hannah go to _Blenheim_, the seat of Mr. W.

Was.h.i.+ngton. Hariot is going with them.

How much do I want to see my Polly! I hope, by this time, you are almost through your Book.

Nov. 3.

To-day the Beaux took their leave. Last night Nancy had a fire made up in one of the up-stairs rooms, and was busily engaged in conversation, when Mr. Pinkard bolted in upon us and overheard part of our conversation--which hily delighted him.

To-morrow, Mrs. Pinkard, Nancy, and myself go to _Blenheim_. All the _Bushfield_ Family are there. How often do we wish for our dear Polly!

but she is denied us.

Nov. 4.

We are now at _Blenheim_. The Hurry of dress prevented my writeing before I sat off. I am delighted with this Family, and still more delighted with Milly Was.h.i.+ngton. She is indeed a sweet Girl.

There came this evening a Major More Fauntleroy. We have had a heartty laugh at him; he is a Monstrous Simpleton; and likewise came this evening the hopefull Youth--A. Spotswood. He has lately commenced Milly's lover. Nancy and myself have been teasin to get [something] out of her, but she is inflexible.

I have been very much entertained hearing Cousin Was.h.i.+ngton perform on the Spinnet. Adieu, my Friend. I can write no more.

Nov. 5.

This is Sunday. We have just breakfasted. There came this morning one of the cleverest young Beaux I have seen for some time--a Mr. Turner.

Cousin Hannah and Hariet take our places this morning in the Chariot.

Nancy and myself stay till the evening, and go with Mr. Was.h.i.+ngton in his Pheyton.

Nancy, Milly, and myself have shut ourselves in a room up stairs, and intend not to go down till summoned to dinner. The Topic of our Conversation is, regretting the manner in which we have spent our past life. It will tend to some good, you will say, if it will make us mend in future.

I have, for the first time in my life, just read Pope's _Eloiza_. Just now I saw it laying in the Window. I had heard my Polly extol it frequently, and curiosity lead me to read it. I will give you my opinion of it: the poetry I think beautiful, but do not like some of the sentiments. Some of Eloiza's is too Ammorous for a female, I think.