Very warm—I feel well reliev'd of the Fatigues of my ride—The lower Class of People here are in a tumult on the account of Reports from Boston, many of them expect to be press'd & compell'd to go and fight the Britains!—Evening I asked the Colonel if he proposes to observe the fast, & attend Sermon tomorrow; he answered that "No one must go from hence to Church, or observe the Fast at all"—By this, (for it is hard to know his opinion from any thing he declares) I conclude he is a courtier.—Last Night, & this evening the Colonel sup'd with us, which is more than he has done before since I have been in the Family—
Wednesday June 1st 1774.
Cool & pleasant—I began my English Exegesis—or Thesis.
Thursday 2.
I took out of the Colonels Library for Assistance in making my pieces Biblia-Sacra, & Mr Hammonds Exposition of the New Testament. I toasted Miss Beatty to day in a Bumpper of old Medaira—Evening Mr Carter at the Harpsichord.
Fryday 3.
The dancing School happens in course to day at Mr Washingtons—Mrs Carter takes Bob & Nancy with her—Our School seems silent—Writing at my English Thesis—I put Harry & Bob this week to read Popes Homer but Homers inimitable fire cannot charm or move them!—Evening Ben rode to the Dance—We were informed that in Queen-Anns in Maryland many die at present, of a Fever that follows a slight Ague!—I took a Ramble, in the evening, as usual, through the Garden.
[Letter of Philip V. Fithian To John Peck]
Nomini Hall June 3d. 1774.
Virginia.
Sir.