Part 18
_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 Shipping 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 Ships 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 Ship 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 assisted 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 quantities of variety of Liquors, these bring on Virginia Fevers--The Beaufort is a Stately Ship; 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 passage. At three we had on Board about 45 Ladies, and about 60 Gentlemen besides the Ships 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 circumstantial 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 anchored 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 Ship, & 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 Ships 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 sturdy 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, & crap'd in the newest Taste--She is the Copy of the goddess 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 Quantity 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 Essex 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.
[Illustration: 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 Ships 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, God 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 banishing 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--
_Saturday 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 Saturday 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 Saturday 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 _Fanny_ 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--
_Thursday 11._
Dined with us two Gentlemen Names unknown--They informed us that a Flux is in a neighbouring County, of which many die!--The Ague too is growing frequent _Fanny_ has a fit this afternoon--I begin to be a little alarmed at the early approach of these Disorders, which I fear will be distressful here!--Through the kindness of heaven I am yet in perfect health--Mr _Carter_ & Mr _Stadley_ performed both on the _harmonica_ I am charm'd with the Sounds! The melody is swelling, grave & grand! The weather vastly hot--
_Fryday 12._
Very hot--_Sam_ our Barber is Seized with the Ague & Fever--Fanny is confined to her chamber with a Fever occasioned, I am apt to believe, by the inflamed bites of the Seed-Ticks, which cover her like a distinct Small Pox.--Dined with us by particular invitation, Mr _Turberville's_ Family, and Miss _Betsy Lee_--The conversation at Table was on the Disorders which seem growing to be epidemical, _Fevers_, _Agues_, _Fluxes_--A gloomy train!--Fearing these, I keep myself at home; make my diet sparing & uniform; Use constant moderate Exercise; Drink as little Wine as possible, & when I must drink Toasts I never fail to dilute them with well with Water; I omit almost every kind of fruit; & make my time for _Sleeping_ from Night to Night the same, Viz to Bed by ten, & rise by six invariably--I never lived so much by Rule as I do this Summer; & I am taught the Art, & have a Steady Example in Mr & Mrs _Carter_--Mr _Stadley_ played on the Harpsichord & harmonica several Church Tunes & Anthems, with great propriety--
[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO JOHN PECK]
Nomini Hall August 12th 1774. "Si bene moneo[Maneo], attende."--
SIR.
I never reflect, but with secret, and peculiar pleasure, on the time when I studied in _Deerfield_ with you, & several other pleasant Companions, under our common, & much respected instructor, Mr _Green_. And I acknowledge now, with a thankful heart, the many favours, which I received from your family while I was a member of it. This sense of obligation to your Family. And personal friendship for you, have excited me, when it was in my power, to introduce you to the business which I now occupy; into a family, where, if you be prudent and industrious, I am confident you will speedily acquire to yourself both Honour & Profit--But inasmuch as you are wholly a stranger to this Province; & have had little or no Experience in the business which you ar[e] shortly to enter upon; & lest, from common Fame, which is often erroneous, you shall have entertained other notions of the manners of the People here, & of your business as a Tutor, than you will find, when you come, to be actually true; I hope you will not think it _vain_ or _untimely_, if I venture to lay before you some Rules for your direction which I have collected from a year's observation. I shall class what I have to say in the following order. First. I shall attempt to give you some direction for the plan of your Conduct among your neighbours, & the People in General here, so long as you sustain the character of a Tutor. Then I shall advise you concerning the rules which I think will be most profitable & convenient in the management of your little lovely charge, the School. Last of all. I shall mention several Rules for your personal conduct. I choose to proceed in the order I have laid down, as well that you may more fully & speedily recieve my mind, as that you may also the more readily select out and apply what you shall find to be most necessary.