Had we been acquainted seven years, we could not have been more sociable. The moon gave a sadly pleasing light. We sat at the door till nine. Dandridge is sensible, and (divested of some freedoms which might be call'd gallant in the fashionable world) he is polite and agreeable. His greatest fault is a propensity to swearing, which throws a shade over his accomplishments. I ask'd him why he did so. "It is a favorite vice, Miss Sally." At nine, he went to his chamber. Sets off at sunrise.
Fourth day morn, 12 o'clock.—I was awaken'd this morn with a great racket of the Captain's servant calling him; but the lazy fellow never rose till about half an hour eight! This his daylight ride! I imagin'd they would be gone before now, so I dress'd in a green skirt and dark short-gown. Provoking! So down I came, this Captain (wild wretch!) standing at the back door. He bow'd and call'd me. I only look'd, and went to breakfast. About nine I took my work and seated myself in the parlour. Not long had I sat when in came Dandridge,—the handsomest man in existence, at least that I had ever seen. But stop here, while I just say, the night before, chatting upon dress, he said he had no patience with those officers who, every morn, before they went on detachments, would wait to be dress'd and powder'd. "I am," said I, "excessively fond of powder, and think it very becoming." "Are you?" he reply' d. "I am very careless, as often wearing my cap thus" (turning the back part before) "as any way." I left off at where he came in. He was powder'd very white, a (pretty coloured) brown coat, lapell'd with green, and white waistcoat, &c., and his
"sword beside him negligently hung."
"sword beside him negligently hung."
He made a truly elegant figure. "Good morning, Miss Sally. You are very well, I hope." "Very well. Pray sit down;"—which he did, close by me. "Oh, dear!" said I, "I see thee is powder'd." "Yes, ma'am. I have dress'd myself off for you." Will I be excused, Debby, if I look upon his being powder'd in the light of a compliment to me? Yes, Sally, as thee is a country maid, and don't often meet with compliments. Saucy Debby Norris!
'Tis impossible to write a regular account of our conversation. Be it sufficient to say that we had a multiplicity of chat.
About an hour since, sister H. came to me and said Captain Dandridge was in the parlour and had ask'd for me. I went in. He met me, caught my hands: "Oh, Miss Sally, I have a beautiful sweetheart for you!" "Poh! ridiculous! Loose my hands." "Well, but don't be so cross!" "Who is he?" "Major Clough! I have seen him. Ain't he pretty, to be sure? I am going to head-quarters. Have you any commands there?" "None at all; but," (recollecting,) "yes, I have. Pray, who is your commanding officer?" "Col. Bland, ma'am." "Please give my compliments to him, and I shou'd be glad if he would send thee back with a little more manners!" He reply'd wickedly, and told me I had a little spiteful heart. But he was intolerably saucy; said he never met with such ladies. "Not to let me kiss you! You're very ill-natur'd, Sally!" and,—putting on the sauciest face,—"Sally, if Tacy V*nd*u*n won't have me, will you?" "No, really,—none of her discarded lovers!" "But, provided I prefer you to her, will you consent?" "No, I won't!" "Very well, madam!" And, after saying he would return to-morrow, among a hundred other things, he elegantly walk'd out of the room. Soon he came back, took up a volume of Homer's Illiad, and read to us. He reads very well, and with judgment. One remark he made, that I will relate, on these lines,
"While Greece a heavy, thick retreat maintains,
Wedg'd in one body, like a flight of cranes."
"While Greece a heavy, thick retreat maintains,
Wedg'd in one body, like a flight of cranes."
"G-d knows our army don't do so. I wish they did." He laugh'd, and went away.