Monday 14.
Bob this morning begg'd me to learn him lattin; his Reason he tells me is that yesterday Mrs Taylor[138] told him he must not have either of her Daughters unless he learn'd Latin he urged me so strong that I put him some Lessons for leasure hours. Rainy most of this day, & in the afternoon from the West arose a black cloud which was attended with several pretty hard Claps of Thunder—We had with us one Mr Neal a good Sort of self sufficient Gentleman—
Teusday 15.
This morning, as Ben & Bob were agreeing on the price of a Rudiman Grammar, which Bob wanted to purchase of Ben; after some time when Bob would not give 2/10. Bens great demand for a Book almost worn out, which when new, may, by thousands be had in Philadelphia for 2/. that Currency—He threw his Book into the fire, & destroy'd it at once!—An Instance of two ruling Foibles which I discover in Ben viz. obstinacy, & avarice. And another I mentioned the other day, of his agreeing, for half a Bit, or 3½d a week, to play the flute for a limited time, every night after I am in Bed; of this however he has grown tired, & given up his wages on account of the Labour, or Confinement of the Task—And I should be deceived, if a very little money would not excite him to submit to almost any menial service—Bob however; for the present is frustrated in his purpose of learning Grammer, & it seems to chagrin him as much, as tho' he actually believed in what Mrs Taylor[139] told him last Sunday, that without he understands Latin, he will never be able to win a young Lady of Family & fashion for his Wife.—At the Noon play-Hours Bob & Nelson the Boy who waits on the School had a fight, I know not on what account; it was Bobs misfortune in the course of the Battle to receive a blow on his cheek near his Eye, which is visible, & brought the intelligence of the Quarrel to me, for all were wholly silent till I made inquiry, when all in a moment seem'd to turn & try to convict him—In the Evening, after School, I took them both to my Room and examined them of the reason, Place, and manner of their fighting; from themselves it seem'd plain that they fought for mere Diversion I therefore dismiss'd Nelson, & kept Bob til near Supper & then gave him a smart correction & dismiss'd him.
Wednesday 16.
The morning cloudy & windy, Breakfasted at nine—Mr Randolph hurt himself by a Fall from a fence to day badly—Dined at half after two—Towards Evening the clouds all scattered, the wind fell, & left the air pleasant: The Birds also seemed glad and merry—The whole reminded me of a beautiful, & memorable passage in Milton. "If Chance the Radiant Sun with farewel-Sweet, Extend his Evening Beam the fields revive, The Birds their notes renew, the bleating Herds Attest their joy that Hill & valley rings."
After school, I had the honour of taking a walk with Mrs Carter through the Garden—It is beautiful, & I think uncommon to see at this Season peas all up two & three Inches—We gathered two or three Cowslips in full-Bloom; & as many violets—The English Honey Suckle is all out in green & tender Leaves—Mr Gregory is grafting some figs—Mrs Carter shewed me her Apricot-Grafts; Asparagus Beds &c. Before Supper a Black cloud appeared in the West, at which Mrs Carter discovered much concern as She is uncommonly affraid both of wind and Thunder.
Thursday 17.
This morning Mr Carter put Miss Fanny to learning the Notes—While we were breakfasting Mr Stadley the musician came; Miss Prissy is with him; Nancy learns the Guitar, under the direction of her Papa, as Mr Stadley does not understand playing on the Guitar—Dined with us a young Gentleman Mr Fantleroy from Hobbes-Hole—He seems to be a modest sensible, genteel young Fellow—I had the pleasure of taking a walk in the Garden at five with Mr Stadley; Bob along—He is a man of Sense, & has great Skill in music. I spent the Evening in the Room in the midst of music.
Fryday 18.