Journal of a Young Lady of Virginia, 1782, Lucinda Lee Orr [novels for students txt] 📗

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. [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. [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 assure 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 assure 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 assent, 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. Washington. 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 Washington. 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 Washington 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. Washington 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.

We set off this evening for Chantilly—but the Pheyton wheel broke, and we were obliged to turn back. Old Mrs. Washington has promised her Carriage to us to go in the morning.

Nov. 6.Chantilly. We sat off early in the morning, and we reached here this morning before breakfast. I found Mama's Jem here. How delighted I am to hear of the Health of all my Friends above. He could not give me any information about you, except that he believes you are very well, which I am very much pleased to hear.

Aunt Lee has been very sick for several days with a violent toothache.

Nov. 7. Berry Hill. A country-seat of Thomas L. Lee. This is a delightful evening, my dear. Nancy and myself have just returned from a delightfull walk to the river. On our return we two loll'd on the Sopha. I shall go up to Berry Hill directly the Pheyton is mended. Mr. Washington is to carry me.

Nov. 8.To-day Old Mrs. Washington and Milly came. Nancy and myself have been dressing for dinner. N. looks handsomer to-day than I have seen her since I came. Adieu. I have not another moment to scribble.

Milly and myself took a walk to-night by moonlight. She knows you, she says, and thinks you beautifull.

We are going to join Nancy and Mr. Washington in the dineing-room. Adieu, my beloved.

Nov. 9.Mrs. Thomson, Mrs. Leland, and a Miss Leland are all just come, and unexpectedly too. I never saw the two last before. The first is a very clever old Lady, the latter very homely indeed. We are all going to dress. Adieu.

Dinner is just over. Harry, the Fiddler, is sent for, and we are going to dance. I had forgot to tell, Mr. Spotswood came to-day. You can't conceive how angry Milly was. I soon got from her that he had promised never to trouble her again on the Subject, and she was displeased at his following her. Adieu—Harriet insists on my going out. She says the fiddle is come. Farewell, my love; may Heaven shower blessings on your head, prays your Lucinda. I always forget to make use of our other name.

Nov. 10. Menokin. Residence of Francis L. Lee. To-day Old Mrs. W. goes to Bushfield, and leaves Milly behind. I have promised to go with Milly when she goes, if I don't go up before that time. Hannah and Corbin go with the Old Lady to-day. Cousin Molly and Mr. Pinkard go to Menoken to-day.

Mr. Spotswood took his leave this evening; which Milly rejoiced at.

Nancy sleeps up stairs to-night with her Sister Pinkard. Milly, Miss Leland, and myself have the nurcery to ourselves. We want Nancy very much, but she is obliged to sleep up stairs.

I had forgot to tell you, the second night at Blenheim, Milly, Nancy, and myself had a room to ourselves, and tried the salt and egg; but neither of us dreamt.

I have undrest myself, and Sibby is going to comb my hair. Milly and Miss Leland are gone in the Garden. I propose to Sibby to go and frighten them: she agrees, and we are going to put it in execution.

We scared them a good deal. Milly screamed pretty lustily.

Nov. 11.We have just breakfasted. Mrs. Thomson and the Lelands have just departed. We are going hard to work. Milly is making herself a very pretty cap.

Cousin Molly came to-night; quite wet, as she was caught in a hard rain. We shall sit up very late to-night—I trimming my dress, and the rest makeing caps. I expect to go on Monday to Bushfield, with Milly. Nancy and Molly will go about that time to Miss A. Ballendine's wedding.

Nov. 12.What a surprise, my Polly, have we all had this morning, and a delightful one too. Before we were out of bed a servant from Mr. Macarty's came to let us know Aunt Fendall is arrived, and at Mr. Macarty's. We are all invited to dine there to-day. I am delighted at the thought of seeing Flora before I go up. The Pheyton is mended, and I shall set off in a day or two.

McCartys, married into the Lee family, lived at "Marmion."I am not going to Mr. Macarty's to-day. I stay with Milly W. and Mrs. Pinkard. Aunt Lee, Molly, and Nancy go. It was my own choice to stay, for Nancy insisted on my going and her staying. They are gone. I drest Nancy's hair—she really look't beautiful to-day.

We are going to seat ourselves and hear Mr. Pinkard read a Novel.

Hannah and Corbin are just come from Bushfield. Mr. Washington sais he shall set off to-morrow.

Milly will set off directly after dinner. She has promised to correspond with me.

Milly has taken her leave, and I assure you I was a good deal affected at parting with her. She is a sweet Girl; and told me at parting that she was preposes'd with the notion we should never meet again. God forbid! I can write no more, my Marcia, for I have got to pack up my cloaths.

I believe I shall scrible a little more to-night, if they should bring Flora home with them, if it is only to give you my opinion of her.

Well, my dear, they are come, and, as I expected, brought Flora with them. She is very genteal, and wears monstrous Bustles. Her face is just as it always was. You, my dearest, that posses a great deal of Sencibility, would have supposed she would have been delighted to see me—far from it, I assure you. She saluted me just as if I had been a common acquaintance, and was not, I thought, at all glad to see me; but I suppose it is fashionable to affect indifference. I hope, my dearest, we shall always stear clear of such unnatural Fashions. She received Nancy in the same manner; that dear Friend and myself have just returned from a walk in the Garden—the last we shall take for some time, I am afraid.

Dear Mrs. Pinkard sets off this morning, and Cousin Molly goes as far as Peccatone with her.

The arrival of Flora has prevented Nancy from going.

I have just taken a last farewell of my dear Mrs. Pinkard—did I say a last farewell? I hope not. I should be unhappy did I think it a last farewell.

Mr. W. and myself have defer'd setting off till the evening, and then we go as far as Blenheim to-night....