Journal of a Young Lady of Virginia, 1782 | Page 5

ourselves all day. She is better to-day than she was
yesterday.
Oh, my Marcia, how hard is our fate! that we should be deprived of
your dear company, when it would compleat our Felicity--but such is
the fate of Mortals! We are never permitted to be perfectly happy. I
suppose it is right, else the Supreme Disposer of all things would not
have permitted it: we should perhaps have been more neglectful than
we are of our duty.

October 5.
Mr. Pinkard and a Mr. Lee came here to-day from the Fredericksburg
races. How sorry I was to hear "Republican" was beaten. I was really
interested in that race. Adieu. I must crape my hair for dinner.
It is a delightful evening. Nancy and myself are going to take a ride out
in the Chariot. Oh, my Polly, why are you not here to join us! Away
with such thoughts--they almost make me melloncholy. Nancy calls me.
Adieu again. I come! I come!
We are returned, and had a delightful ride, and a much more delightful
tête-à-tête. This Lee appears to be a hum-drum, disagreeable Creature.
Tea is ready, and I must bid you good-by.
October 6.
I wish, my Polly, you could see Mrs. Pinkard. You would be delighted
with her. She is, I think, among the finest Women I have seen; and is
thought very beautifull.
I have been very agreeably entertained this evening, reading a Novel
called Malvern Dale. It is something like Evelina, though not so pretty.
I have a piece of advice to give you, which I have before urged--that is,
to read something improving. Books of instruction will be a thousand
times more pleasing [after a little while] than all the novels in the
World. I own myself, I am too fond of Novel-reading; but, by
accustoming myself to reading other Books, I have become less so, and
I wish my Polly to do the same.
October 7.
This is Sunday. We have been collected in the Chamber, reading the
Lessons of the day. After that, Nancy and myself plann'd a ride out on
horseback, which we are just going to put in execution. Adieu. I will
resume my pen on my return.

We are returned. I can't say I was much delighted with the ride, as I
rode a very hard-going horse. They had dined when we returned.
October 8.
Mr. Newton dined here to-day. I believe you know him, and therefore
need not describe him. I have been very busy to-day working a little
screne, to hold in my hand to prevent the fire from burning my face. I
think it will be beautifull.
I have seated myself in my (w)rapper to scribble a little. Mr. Pinkard
has been reading a Play all the evening to Nancy and myself. We were
much pleased with it. Nancy grows better and better every day--which I
am delighted at. Adieu: sleep has closed my eyes.
October 9.
I was in danger last night of commiting a great piece of rudeness; the
Play Mr. Pinkard read us was the Bell Strattagem. Mr. Newton was by
when it was read. Some one ask't him sometime afterwards what the
Play was. He said the Country Cousin. I thought I should have burst
with laughter!
The two Gentlemen went to the Court-house to-day. Molly and myself
took a walk this evening, and should have walk't much farther had we
not met the Gentlemen. Mr. Newton dismounted and walkt home with
us.
October 10.
I have seated myself to give you the adventures of to-day. Mr. C.
Washington returned to-day from Fredericksburg. You can't think how
rejoiced Hannah was, and how dejected in his absence she always is.
You may depend upon it, Polly, this said Matrimony alters us mightely.
I am afraid it alienates us from every one else. It is, I fear, the bane of
Female Friendship. Let it not be with ours, my Polly, if we should ever
Marry. Adieu. Harriet calls me to supper. Once more good-by.

October 11.
Hannah and myself were going to take a long walk this evening, but
were prevented by the two horred Mortals, Mr. Pinkard and Mr.
Washington, who seized me and kissed me a dozen times in spite of all
the resistance I could make. They really think, now they are married,
they are prevaliged to do any thing.
October 12.
I am going to tell you a little piece of a secret; but you must never
mention it. Nancy had an admirer lately--who do you think it is? No
other than Mr. Newton. He got his discard yesterday.
It is in the evening. Nancy and myself have been to visit our little
garden [you have frequently heard me speak of it]. We were so
unfortunate as to make it on the