... about seven o Clock Papa and Mama came to Mr. Adams they brought me a little trunk and some cake & some fennel ... school was dismissed at four went to dansing school and Mama went with me waited some time before Mr. Armour came after they had half done taking there lessons I took mine and returned home with Mama for I was not well _Friday September 3^{rd}_ (_Roxbury_) ... got me a white vail.... _Saturday September 4^{th}_ ... spent the morning in doing a few notions and copying my Journal in the after noon Mama & myself went to Uncle Frenches when we arrived there it was nearly sundown Aunt Betsey was a baking they had Cherry Wine after tea she showed us some chinc for curtens _Thursday September 9^{th} 1802_ The morning was spent in Cleaning The Bedrooms Papa went to New Haven ... spent The Rest of The Day in writing my Gurnal Spent The Evening in Picking wool.... _Tuesday September 14^{th} 1802_ ... I was Not Very Well & Sent for Dr. Warner and Drawd Some Blisters on my Arms I was Sick To or Three weaks and I Neglected my Gurnal Ever Since I received my Piano Fort the 9 of October.... A COMPOSITION WRITTEN AT LITCHFIELD. MARY BACON. The many hints suggested to us at school by Miss Pierce upon improvement leads me more frequently to reflect upon its importance and for what my Dear Brother was the rational mind given us was it not to be stored with useful Knowledge which alone can render life pleasing and above all fit us for the blessed society which all hope to enjoy. youth is the season for the propagation of every virtue but alas at this period how frequently do we see vice in its best colors presents it self to us and is there not reason to fear that unless we are constantly engaged in the attainments of virtue and knowledge we shall in the end widely deviate from the path of true glory the mind ever intent upon some thing seems to require of us materials proper for its exercise and for these must we not apply to the most approved authors and our own observations by reading it is justly said, we enjoy the dead, and by conversation The living, and by contemplation our selves. reading furnishes The memory conversation strengthens discernment and contemplation improves The judgment. I feel my Brother the sacrifice my Parents make in parting with a child in whose happiness I flatter my self they feel warmly interested and am sensible that nothing but an ardent wish for my own improvement could have effected our separation the propper employment of my time is the only return in my power to make for their solicitude. I feel that by this I shal augment my own happiness and accomplish the wishes of my Parents learning can only be acquired by application. Herculous was