A girl's life eighty years ago : $b Selections from the letters of Eliza Southgate BowneBowne, Eliza Southgate
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A girl's life eighty years ago : $b Selections from the letters of Eliza Southgate Bowne
Bowne, Eliza Southgate
Bowne, Eliza Southgate, 1783-1809; United States -- Social life and customs -- 1783-1865
I jumped up and by the light of the moon saw five gentlemen under the
window. To Mr. Westelo I suppose we are indebted. “Washington March,”
“Blue Bells of Scotland,” “Taste Life’s glad moments,” “Boston March,”
and many other charming tunes—played most delightfully. I have heard no
music since I left Salem till this, and I was really charmed. The bell
will ring soon and I must finish this after meeting.—Sunday afternoon.
The dinner was brought on the table just as the bell rang for meeting,
so that we were obliged to stay at home this afternoon, and tell Mr.
Westelo and his sister, who called again for me, as Mrs. Derby did not
go out, that I would go to Mrs. Ranselear’s after meeting. In the
morning, Mr. Derby and myself went to the New Dutch Church with Mr. and
Miss Westelo and sat with them next pew to the Patroon’s, whom you saw
in Salem with his beautiful wife.
After meeting, Mr. Westelo came with the Patroon and his wife to see us.
She is really beautiful, dressed very plain; cotton cambric morning
gown, white sarsnet cloak, hair plain, and black veil thrown carelessly
over her head. They urged our dining there to-morrow, but Mr. Derby is
determined to set out in the morning for Balston—the waters, all tell
him, will be of great service—when we return we shall go and see them. A
great number of elegant gentlemen are here in this house, many from N.
Y., some going to the springs. Your Boston Mr. Amory and Mr. Lee would
look rusty long side them. Hush, not a word!—Mr. Kane of N. Y., whose
sister married Robert Morris, is here, will set out for the springs in
company with us, Mr. Westelo and some others. We shall go to Lake George
and probably make a party from Balston. Mrs. Derby has insisted on my
wearing the sarsnet dress to-day as we shall drink tea at the Mayor’s,
where the Patroon and wife will probably be. I am every moment reminded
of your affectionate kindness, which I hope never to be insensible to.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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