Before Night it grew fair when on a Sudden all are out, so that we seem like a Town; but most of the Inhabitants are black—We dined at three, no company. Evening Bob returned & brought Mr Turburville's Compliments, with a strong invitation for me to visit him—A little before the Sun went down I took a walk down the Poplar Avenue; which must certainly be vastly pleasant in Summer—At the farthest end of this Walk I gathered & eat some Pisimmonds from a large Tree which were exceeding sweet, & agreeable. Supped at nine, At Supper The Colonel informed me that he has invented this Day a method for finding the difference of the value of money in this Province and in Maryland. We do not spend Sundays thus in Jersey. In Bed by ten. Ben at home.
Monday 7.
The morning vastly clear & cool—The Colonel rode to Richmond court at twelve, with Mr Randolph, I walked to see the Negroes make a fence; they drive into the Ground Chesnut stakes about two feet apart in a strait Row, & then twist in the Boughs of Savin[132] which grows in great plenty here—Ben, to Day, began Virgils Georgics—And Prissy began Division—By accident to day in the Garden I took up Mr Gegory the Gardiners Spade, for which he instantly called on me for my forfeit—This Gardiner through the Summer from this Time has half a Crown daily Wages—Dined at half after two.
Teusday 8.
I rose by six—the morning fine. Breakfasted at nine. At twelve I walked, to the mill together with Mr & Mrs Carter; Miss Prissy & Nancy, to see them bake Biscuit, & pack flour; here too I had a Forfeit for kneeding biscuit. The Colonel shewed me and explain'd the Pan of his Mill; his Canals; Waste-gates; Toll Mill, Merchant Mill: &c. The tide flows quite to the Mill & is navigable with Canoes & Flats—He told me that his Wastgate as it stands alone cost him 95£.—And that nothing less than 5000£ Capital can continue the works & keep them supplied. The Ovens bake 100lb of Flour at a Heating; there are in the Bake-house two Ovens. Dined half after two.
The Colonel formed last Sunday, & is yet compleating Tables for finding the Difference between Virginia, & Maryland Currency, as he is entering largely into Trade he finds it necessary to be better acquainted with the Exchange. Ben agreed to ask his Papa at Supper for Leave to go with me to Philadelphia but poor Boy his resolution fail'd him!
Wednesday 9.
Up by seven, very Windy—Evening I rode with Ben to Mr Lanes to see young Lane; he was out however, & we soon returned—Mr Warden was at Mr Lanes. Evening we played in our small Concert our old Sonata; & besides Feltons Gavott,[133] supp'd at nine.
Thursday 10.