... The text this P. M. was “Pray without ceasing” Dr. Beecher was unusually eloquent he appears very much engaged in the “good cause.” His church is increasing very much and great attention is paying to Religion and every one appears interested and a great many meetings are held every week. Miss Buell, Miss Perkins and myself went to take a walk after dark and left Miss Austin at home all alone. After our return Miss P. and myself went to a meeting which is attended every Sabbath evening at our schoolhouse, but the room was so crowded we could not get seats. So we returned to our house, Miss P. to her writing and I to the studying of my lesson in history for tomorrow. Tuesday. This P. M. Mr. Brace will propose a sum and I fear it will be very difficult. All those that study Blair are under the necessity of writing figures which is very difficult. Mine were left until the last and of course they were pretty well selected, for it is Mr. B’s rule to leave the best until the last. ... Mr. B. read figures yesterday and he selected five from the parcel, as being selected with the most taste and judgment, and I had the pleasure to perceive that mine was among the “priveleged few.” I have engaged to keep the paper this week which I fear I shall find rather a difficult task. Mr. Brace was passing my desk and saw my journal. he said he had kept one since 1806. I should think it might be very interesting. Mr. B reads subjects for dissertations, for the week in which I am appointed the subject is “The causes of dreams” which I think a very easy subject. We have the pleasure to have the company of little Mary Brace, as she is not more than 2 years old, I presume she does not attend school with an idea of improvement. _July 4, 1822._ 46 years have elapsed since the banners of Independence were raised over the shores of America. and about 17, years since General Washington departed this life for the land of spirits there to receive a crown of far greater splendour than that would have been if he had accepted, or rather, taken, that of the United States of America—We were sweetly serenaded by B. & S. and L as we suppose but we were so very unfortunate as not to hear it. When Miss Mary told us of it this morning we were quite astonished that we could be so stupid as not to hear it. It must have been quite _romantic_, for I never saw a more delightful evening. This morning was ushered in by the ringing of the bells of the two churches and that of the court house (which sounds very much like the gaol bell of New York.) and a _clashing_ of fifes & drums, guns &c. Miss A. and myself were invited to a party at Mr. J. P. Brace’s and we hope to accept the polite invitation.