Mr _Grubb_ called again about twelve with an intention to ride out to the Potowmack but there came on a Rain & kept us at Home--We spent the afternoon sociably in our Room. Miss _Nancy Carter_ last Night or this morning, in some whimsical freak, clipt off her Eye-Brows; She has a very good Skin; exceeding black hair, & black-well arched, full Eye-brows, which, as I said the other day are much esteemed in Virginia--She denies positively that She cut them herself, & swears some mischievous person has done it when She was sleeping. But I am inclined to think it is an experiment She has been making on herself to see how she can vary the looks of her face. It made me laugh when I saw it first, to think how early & how truely She copies Female absurdities. Towards evening we rode out merely for exercise, & straggled at last to Mr _Simpsons_; near his house we saw two trees standing near each other both of which have lately been struck by Lightning & are torn to shivers in several parts-- Mr Grubb agreed to stay the night. we supt on Artichoks, & Huckleberries & Milk--The toasts, after Supper, were the King, Queen & Royal Family, the Governor & his family, & then young Ladies of our acquaintance--We were alone. Mr and Mrs Carter left us immediately, so that we spent the evening without restraint. _Sunday 3._ We were all to go to Church to day, but we were prevented by a storm of thunder & Rain; the Ground is now sufficiently wetted--I have not heard a Sermon on Sunday since the fifteenth of May; a longer Vacancy from publick worship than I have ever had since my first remembrance. About ten an old Negro Man came with a complaint to Mr Carter of the Overseer that he does not allow him his Peck of corn a Week--The humble posture in which the old Fellow placed himself before he began moved me. We were sitting in the passage, he sat himself down on the Floor clasp'd his Hands together, with his face directly to Mr _Carter_, & then began his Narration--He seem'd healthy, but very old, he was well dress'd but complained bitterly--I cannot like this thing of allowing them no meat, & only a Peck of Corn & a Pint of Salt a Week, & yet requiring of them hard & constant Service. We have several Rains this day so that the Ground is sufficiently wetted--I spent the greater part of the day writing at my Sermon. _Monday 4._