We had the Virginia Gazette[124] to day in which the accounts concerning the destroying the Tea at Boston are confirm'd—& also an account of the Burning of the House of Governor Tryon. Dined with us Colonel Frank Lee; his Wife & Captain John Lee. Toasts after Dinner, the King. Queen. Absent Friends, Governor of Virginia, & his Lady just arrived, & Success to American Trade & Commerce
Fryday 11.
The Company staid all Night—at Breakfast the conversation was on a terrible Distemper which is in this County at present; & which in Maryland last year about this time carried off hundreds, and is call'd the "putrid Quinsy." Mr Carter has a Man lying now dangerously ill of it!
What they do in the Disorder is, when the Inflamation is first observ'd, bleeding; then give the Bark & Salt-petre, or Nitre, and Gargles to cleanse the mouth—
Our company left us before dinner—Last night I took Bob to my Room, after having in the course of the Day corrected him thrice, & reasoned with him concerning the impropriety of his Behaviour; at the same time I acquainted him with my final resolution to send him over for correction every Day to his Papa's Study, which had so strong an Effect on him (as all the Children are in remarkable Subjection to their Parents) that he firmly pomised to attend to my advice, & thro' this Day has been punctual to his word.
I spent the evening with the Family to hear the music. For every evening Prissy & Nancy play the whole Evening for practice & besides every Week half of Teusday, Thursday, & Saturday. We were informed that the Carter who goes with the Team is ill of the sore Throat!—
Saturday 12.
After having dismised the School I went over to Mr Carters Study—We conversed on many things, & at length on the College of William & Mary at Williamsburg. He informed me that it is in such confusion at present, & so badly directed, that he cannot send his Children with propriety there for Improvement & useful Education—That he has known the Professors to play all Night at Cards in publick Houses in the City, and has often seen them drunken in the Street!—That the Charter of the College is vastly Extensive, & the yearly income sufficient to support a University being about 4.000£. Sterling.—That the Necessary Expence for each Scholar yearly is only 15£ Currency.
Two of the officers of the Institution, Mr Bracker, & Mr Henly[125] Clergymen are at present engaged in a paper War published weekly in the Williamsburg Gazette's.
Miss Fanny quite unwell of a Cold with a pain in her Breast. Evening Mrs Carter complain'd of a sore throat; and Ben also, complains that his Throat is quite troublesome—Mr Randolph too is confin'd in his Room all day! We seem to be all sickning!—