Part 20
3. To mention several Rules for your personal conduct. The happy Education which you have had in point of religion, you ought to consider as an important and distinguishing Blessing of Heaven. That train of useful _Instruction_, _Advice_ & _Example_ to which you have been accustomed from your infancy is a more perfect, & will be a safer guide in your future walk, than any directions I am able to give you. You have taken notice of a method for Assistance in Composition, which Longinus recommends. Place, says he, in imagination, several eminent ancient Authors before your Eyes, & suppose that they inspect your Work, a Sense of inferiority would make you diligent, & your composition accurate. Perhaps the same advice when transferr'd to Morality, would be equally salutary. Unless it be objected that a Belief of Gods presence at all times in every place is the strongest possible restraint against committing Sin. This I constantly admit; but when I consider how easily our minds are put in motion, & how strongly they are sometimes agitated merely by the senses, & that the senses are aff3ected most by things which fall under their immediate notice, I am fully convinced that if some such plan as I have just mentioned should be fallen upon, & practised, it would make a visible and useful change in our behaviour--In this place I think it needful to caution you against hasty & ill founded prejudices. When you enter among a people, & find that their manner of living, their _Eating_, _Drinking_, _Diversions_, _Exercise_ &c, are in many respects different from any thing you have been accustomed to, you will be apt to fix your opinion in an instant, & (as some divines deal with poor Sinners) you will condemn all before you without any meaning or distinction what seems in your Judgment disagreable at first view, when you are smitten with the novelty. You will be making ten thousand Comparisons. The face of the Country, The _Soil_, the _Buildings_, the _Slaves_, the _Tobacco_, the method of spending _Sunday_ among Christians; _Ditto_ among the Negroes; the three grand divisions of time at the Church on Sundays, Viz. before Service giving & receiving letters of business, reading Advertisements, consulting about the price of Tobacco, Grain &c. & settling either the lineage, Age, or qualities of favourite Horses 2. In the Church at Service, prayrs read over in haste, a Sermon seldom under & never over twenty minutes, but always made up of sound morality, or deep studied Metaphysicks. 3. After Service is over three quarters of an hour spent in strolling round the Church among the Crowd, in which time you will be invited by several different Gentlemen home with them to dinner. The Balls, the Fish-Feasts, the Dancing-Schools, the Christnings, the Cock fights, the Horse-Races, the Chariots, the Ladies Masked, for it is a custom among the Westmorland Ladies whenever they go from home, to muffle up their heads, & Necks, leaving only a narrow passage for the Eyes, in Cotton or silk handkerchiefs; I was in distress for them when I first came into the Colony, for every Woman that I saw abroad, I looked upon as ill either with the _Mumps_ or Tooth-Ach!--I say, you will be often observing & comparing these things which I have enumerated, & many more that now escape me, with the manner of spending Money time & credit at Cohansie: You are young, &, (you will allow me the Expression) in the morning of Life. But I hope you have plann'd off, and entered upon the work which is necessary to be performed in the course of your Day; if not, I think it my duty to acquaint you, that a combination of the amusements which I have just now mentioned, being always before your Eyes, & inviting your Compliance will have a strong tendency to keep you doubtful & unsetled, in your notions of Morality & Religion, or else will fix you in a false & dangerous habit of _thinking_ & _acting_, which must terminate at length in Sorrow & despair. You are therefore, if you count any thing upon the value of my advice, to fix the plan in which you would spend your life; let this be done with deliberation, Candour, & precission, looking to him for direction, by fervent Prayr, who is the "Wonderful Counsellor;" & when you have done this, let no importunity of whatever kind prevail over you, & cause you to transgress your own Limitations. I have already exceeded the usual bounds of an Epistle. But you will easily pardon a little prolixity, when I assure you it flows from a heart deeply impressed with a sense of the many difficulties which you must encounter, & the dangers which will surround you when you come first out from the peaceful recess of Contemplation, & enter, young and unexperienced, into the tumultuous undiscerning World. I submit these hints to your consideration, & have nothing more than sincere & ardent wishes for your present & perpetual Felicity.
I am, Sir, yours. PHILIP. V FITHIAN.
TO MR JOHN PECK. On going to Virginia in Character of a Tutor.
[JOURNAL]
_Saturday 13._
_Prissy_ took the Ague last Night. She had an easy Fit--This Morning is quite cold, & will, I fear hasten on or at least provoke the present disorders--The good Mr _Stadley_ left us this Morning Breakfasted with us a Gentleman from _Maryland_. At Dinner he was join'd by another from the same Province they are both unknown--I rode out with Miss _Prissy_ to the Cornfield for Exercise--We gathered & brought home some good Roasting-Ears of Corn--Evening came in Colonel _Henry Lee_[195] He is chosen to be one of the seven who represent this Colony in the general Congress to be held next Month in Philadelphia--He sets out next Sunday Sennight--
[195] Richard Henry Lee of "Chantilly."
_Sunday 14._
Colonel Lee stays Breakfast (to Speak in the phrase of Ladies)--The morning fine--Sermon is to Day at Ucomico so that I am to stay in my Room; _Ben_, however, & _Bob_, & _Harry_, & Mr _Randolph_ all go--_Fanny_ is yet confin'd to her Chamber--
_Monday 15._
Began a Letter to Jack Peck, giving him advice in Respect to his coming into this Colony--The People are better, only Miss _Fanny_ with her Sores continues in her Chamber; I bought & sent her however this evening a present a large _Musk Melon_--Dined with us Squire _Lee_, he talks of going to Philadelphia to the Congress; He informs us that in Maryland is a Tea-Ship, from the India Company--
_Teusday 16._
The Colonel is summoned to a Meeting of Vestry-Men, at the Glebe--Nothing very extraordinary occurs, unless I mention that _Bob_ in the former part of this Day kept pretty quiet in his Seat, and worked out three Sums in Reduction compound, without much direction!--About five from the South East came on suddenly a Gust of Rain & Wind, Evening the Colonel returned but a good deal vexed--One of the Members were absent so that the Remainder could do no Business--
[Illustration: graveyard scene]
_Wednesday 17._
This Day is the annual Examination at Nassau-Hall--I wish the Candidates Success & Honour. Last year I had the Pleasure to be present & hear the Examination--I saw _Laura_ too; & the Vixen abused me! She shall repent of that insult; Indeed She must feel, tho' I wound myself in the experiment, the Consequence of Slighting good-humour & Civility--There likewise I saw _Belinda_ my late agreeable Correspondent. She had left town this unlovely Month, for the benefit of Princeton's pure salubrious Air--She laboured in a Consumption There too I took my last fare-well!--For soon after her return to Town the disorder fixed, & in a few Months destroy'd a _wise_, _useful_, _religious_ Girl--Her death surely was untimely, since she took with her all her virtues, which, with great pleasure & Sincerity She used to diffuse among her giddy Equals!--I am at a Loss to express my feeling for the Death of a young Lady, with whom I had only a short, yet a benificial Intimacy--The Circumstance of my first Acquaintance with her was wholly Accidental, yet I soon believed & accounted it advantageous--I thought her capable of improving me with Sentiment, & I speedily found that my expectation was true--We commenced a Litterary Correspondence, of which I only say that She always express'd herself with so much Truth, Ease & Humour as to make me read her Letters with eagerness and satisfaction--If I would record a Motto for her, it Should be--"Virtue without Melancholy." Breakfasted & dined with us two Gentlemen from Maryland--They come over for the benefit of Mr _Carter's_ Mill; as Mills are scarce near the Potowmack in Maryland; but the reason I am a stranger to--Read some in Dr Swift--Writing on to Mr Peck--The weather is close & this evening I heard two Musquetoes, only one of which ventured to light upon me--I dare say they are thicker at Cohansie!--Each Wednesday & Saturday we dine on Fish all the Summer, always plenty of _Rock_, _Perch_, & _Crabs_, & often Sheeps-Head and Trout!--
_Thursday 18._
Very ill most of last night with a violent Dysentery; I fear a frequency of this disease will at-length fix & ruin me--It continues to Day, & with no less rage, I cannot eat nor drink, am low Spirited Think constantly of Home;--Sometimes repent my having come into this Colony, & blame myself for having been persuaded to turn out of my road to public Business--But when I reflect closely I justify the Conduct, & resign myself _Body_ & _Soul_ & _Employment_ to God who has the Hearts of all in his hand, & who I am persuaded, if he has any thing for me to do in Life, will preserve, & in a measure fit me for it, if not, I am in his Hand, let him do as seemes good in his Eyes--At Dinner the Colonel invited me to ride with him to a Mill of his which is repairing, about eight miles Distance; I accepted his Invitation, gave the children a few Hours for Play, & went with the Colonel _Ben_ was along--The Face of the earth seems covered with mocking-Birds, but not one of them sing, they seem vastly busy but it is in collecting Food--Not a bird, except now & then _Robbin-Redbreast_ is heard to sing in this Feverish Month--Nature seems cheerless and gloomy! The Evening is hot, but the Ride was agreeable, it was useful too; for I grow much better; The Jolting of the Horse seemed salutary, my Pain subsided, I returned almost wholly relieved in the evening, drank my Coffee, went soon to my Room, gave thanks to my divine _restorer_ & laid me down to rest--
_Fryday 19._
I slept through the night in _quiet_ and ease, & rose perfectly relieved Mr _Carter_ at Breakfast advised me to take with him Some _Salt-Petre_, as a useful Dieuretick but I declin'd--Mr _Grubb_ came in about twelve o-Clock from _Sabine-Hall_. Colonel _Carter_ gave an Entertainment Yesterday to celebrate his Birth-Day; & had a numerous & gay Company.--This young Gentleman (Mr _Grubb_) appears to be a person of Capacity & Improvement; he was Educated in England, & has been assistant to a Merchant on _James's River_ in this Colony for some time past. This Summer he has been totally Idle--He proposes week after week to set out for Williamsburg, & Sail thence home, but he stays. He has much good nature, is an agreeable companion--I pity him.--He seems fond of Miss _Betsy Lee_--But he is too fluctuating in his mind to settle there, or with any Girl whatever Yet--
_Saturday 20._
_Ben_ Mr _Taylor_, Mr _Grubb_, & _Harry_ went to the Potowmack to a Fish Feast--Come, Fithian, what do you mean by keeping hived up sweating in your Room--Come out & air yourself--But I choose to stick by the Stuff. The Colonel too, very kindly, offered me a Seat in his Chariot to Nomini Court-House, but I declin'd Mr Lane & Mr Warden came in towards evening--Both in high Spirits. But Mr _Lane_ was (as they say) "Half Seas over"--they sat & chated noisily til nine--Evening clear a full Moon, & very light--Our neighbourhood seems alive with little Negro Boys playing in every part--
_Sunday 21._
Nomini Church--Parson Smith gave us after Prayrs, which he was obliged to read himself, a useful Sermon; poor man he seemed to labour hard--Dined with us Captain _Walker_, Mr _Lane_, Mrs _Lane_, Mr _Wadman_, Mr _Warden_.
Soon after Dinner I left the company & retired to my chamber where I seem commonly most happy--
[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO PALATIAH WEBSTER]
Nomini-Hall Virginia, augt 21st 1774.
SIR.
I have an oppertunity by some gentlemen, who go from this Colony to the Congress, of writing you a line according to promise, since I saw you, I have been in good health; The reigning spirit in Virginia is liberty--And the universal topic politicks--I suppose it to be the same with you God Almighty knows where these civil tumults will end; probably not without War & Blood!--I have but little to say but to present you my best regards, remember me to your sister--To Miss Cunningham--The Miss Armitages--Miss Cooks--I hope to see you the last of october, when I expect to be in Town--Probably you can make it convenient for you to take a ramble into the country at that time. I hope to be at leisure, and shall be proud to attend you--Mr Blain, who favours me by carrying these is a Gentleman of my acquaintance in this Colony, a Merchant of Note, I shall thank you if you will take some notice of him,--And by him, as he is to return immediately I beg you write--Tell me how matters go in Town--Tell me what you know of the Country--Tell me much about the _Sex_ you love--Remember to ask Mr Blain the hour he returns, and dont fail to send me a line
I am, Sir, with great regard, Yours.
PALATIAH WEBSTER.
PHILIP V. FITHIAN.
[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO NATHANIEL DONNALD, JR.]
Nomini Hall. Augt: 21st. 1774.
SIR.
I wrote you a line in great haste, just before I left home, and two days before that I had the pleasure of your company with ladies in an evening excursion--We have here no artificial gardens; Nor can we select out a company of sociable equals whenever we are in a humour for a walk--Here we either strain on Horseback from home to Church, or from house to House if we go out at all--Or we walk alone into a dark Meadow, or tall wood--But I love solitude, and these lonely recesses suit exactly the feeling of my mind--I recieved lately a letter from Cohansie, in which I am informed of the Death of Uncle _Seeley_--The family and neighbourhood will have suffered a great loss!--I suppose you join in the general language, and assert your liberties and oppose oppression. I hope at least you are on the right side of the question.
The City, I dare say, is in great tumult if not in consternation. I wish it was convenient for me to be in town when the gentlemen from the respective Colonies shall meet in general Congress--This is out of my power, but I can wish for their union, and usefulness. Mr _Blain_, the gentleman who forwards my letter, is a Merchant of Note, in this Colony, you will oblige me if you take notice of him while he is in Town.--You will not fail to write me a line, and give to Mr Blain the moment you recieve mine, least he leave town and I be disappointed.
My compliments to all friends, from Sir, Yours P. V. FITHIAN.
Mr Nathl: Donnald Junr:
[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO MISS RUTH WEBSTER]
Nomini-Hall August 21st 1774.
MADAM.
I send you these inclosed in a line to your Brother.
I do this that you may recieve the letter, for there seems to be little security in a letter directed to you, the youngsters are so curious to examine what is written for you--I understand that you never recieved my last dated "May 1774. Delaware River on board the swallow." I wish I could detect the impudent interceptor--You have then at last condescended to visit Cohansie! I hear by Mr _Ewing_ that you was in the Country several weeks--Does it delight you, to hear the noise of Birds, of Lowing Cows, of Sheep, and of chatt'ring poultry, instead of the City-Cries? But I forget myself--Did you see that your Merchant, who, as I mentioned to you, is so moved with youn[g] person and manner? I suppose he was your constant and unwearied gallant--I expect that according to promise, you spent some part of your time with my sister--She a little Vixen, has never scribbled me a line, but I am level with her, for I have been as silent as she--Miss Beatty, that girl you seem so passionately fond of, is I expect, before this returned--She is indeed a lovely girl, if I say more you will call me
## partial--At any rate, as you correspond, I beg you will present her
with my compliments, which are indeed but empty, thread-bare things--But Madam, I assure you they are the most valuable articles I can now transmit--I expect to be in town by the latter end of October, or beginning of November--If you are not too busy when you recieve this, I beg you will sit yourself instantly down and write me a friendly answer--This I think my due since I have written to you only, and to no other Lady either in town or country
I am, Madam, P. V. FITHIAN To Miss Ruth Webster.
[JOURNAL]
_Monday 22._
Mr _Grubb_ & Ben returned last evening--They spent their Day in _Richmond_[196]--I wrote to day several letters. to Philadephia One to Miss _Webster_. To her _Brother_. To _John McCalla_ junr--To Mr _Donald_--These I send by 'Squire _Lee_ who is to be of the Party--After School _Ben_, _Grubb_, & Myself rode to the _'Squires_--He took us into his Garden, shewed and gave us great Plenty of fine Peaches, _Nectarines_ &c
[196] Richmond County.
He has a large Garden, & great abundance of fruit--His People were shaking the trees to prepare the Peaches for Brandy
[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO JOHN MCCALLA, JR.]
Nomini Hall Virginia Augt: 22d: 1774.
SIR.
Since I left you I have heard not a syllable about you, whether the ague has left you, whether you have left the City removed to Alexandria, as you proposed in the spring, in short both yourself and fame have been, as to you, wholly silent--
I have now an oppertunity which I gladly improve of sending you a line, and I beg that by the same conveyance you will send me an Answer--There are many from this Colony to attend the general Congress, seven by appointment, the others out of curiosity, by Mr _Blain_, a gentleman of my acquaintance in this Colony, a Merchant of Note I forward this; you will oblige me if you use him with civility.--
I cannot write home at present; if you should write soon to Cohansie, please to mention to whoever you write to that I am in good health; that the neighbourhood is in good health; and that I propose to return about the latter end of october--I can transmit nothing now concerning public affairs, you will know by the gentlemen from this province that the reigning spirit is liberty--I hope Mr and Mrs Hollinshead keep clear of the fevers this fall; but I fear they will suffer in that common calamity. I think they ought to remove to the City for a few weeks in september when the disorder rages where they reside--My best compliments attend your family, and to Miss _Pratt_, Miss _Boyd_ and others of my acquaintance in town as shall be convenient.
I am, Sir, with great truth and Regard your most obedient Most humble Servt: P. V. FITHIAN
Mr John McCalla Junr:
I shall thank you if you will send me the latest Journal, Gazette, and the Packet.
[JOURNAL]
_Teusday 23._
Blessed be God who yet preserves me in perfect health--_Priss_ has another fitt of the Ague these Disorders are giving Alarms. in a few Weeks I suppose they will grow numerous & troublesome--A violent Gust of Wind, Rain, & some Thunder we had about twelve o clock, the Country seems to be afloat--A [I] received this Morning a Note from a School Master in the Village, who signs himself "Brother Quill" He sends me with his compliments a Question. To multiply 12£ 12s 12½d by itself in Cross multiplication--And tells me the Answer is 160£ 1s 6d his way, viz by Decimals--I did not alter his answer, but suffered him to continue satisfied with his own performance.--
_Wednesday 24._
Stormy--A poor Man arrived from Maryland with Grain to grind. It was wet--He saw Mr Carter and Mr _Randolph_--Mr Randolph wore a red Coat--the Marylander asked _Bob_ which was the master of the House--_Bob_ with his usual impudence answered, the Man you see drest in a scarlet Coat--Who then says he is the other in a frowsled Wig?--He is says _Bob_ my fathers Clerk--The Colonel heard this Anecdote of _Bob_, which entertained him, While we were dining. I hear nothing of the Ague abroad, it seems to go by turns, sometimes brief then exceeding scarce--all this day the wind North East rainy.
_Thursday 25._
Still stormy. The Gentlemen who are sailing up the Bay to the Congress have a disagreeable time--This is a true August Northeaster, as we call it in Cohansie--_Ben_ is in a wonderful _Fluster_ lest he shall have no company to-morrow at the Dance--But blow high, blow low, he need not be afraid; _Virginians_ are of genuine Blood--They will dance or die!--I wrote some at my Letter for Mr _Peck_--The people here pronounce Shower "Sho-er"--And what in New-Jersey we call a Vendue here they a "Sale"--All Taverns they call "Ordinary's"--When a Horse is frolicsome & brisk, they, say at once he is "gayly"--she [if he] is mischievous, they call him, "vicious."--At five, with _Ben_. I rode out for exercise--After a while we arrived at _George-Lee's_--He gave us some excellent Peaches--He returned with us to Mr Turberville's--We met here with Miss _Betsy Lee_, Mr _Grubb_, _Lancelot Lee_ & here we spent the evening--_Fish-Feasts_, & _Fillies_, Loud disputes concerning the Excellence of each others Colts--Concerning their Fathers, Mothers (for so they call the Dams) Brothers, Sisters, Uncles, Aunts, Nephews, Nieces, & Cousins to the fourth Degree!--All the Evening Toddy constantly circulating--Supper came in, & at Supper I had a full, broad, sattisfying View of Miss _Sally Panton_--I wanted to hear her converse, but poor Girl any thing She attempted to say was drowned in the more polite & useful Jargon about Dogs & Horses!--For my Part, as I was unwilling to be singular, if I attempted to push in a word, I was seldom heard, & never regarded, & yet they were constantly refering their Cases to me, as to a supposed honest fellow, I suppose because I wear a black Coat, & am generally silent; at Home I am thought to be noisy enough; here I am thought to be silent & circumspect as a _Spy_--How different the Manners of the People! I try to be as cheerful as I can. & yet I am blamed for being stupid as a Nun--
_Fryday 26._