I got up a little before six & as it is very warm, I threw up the window to enjoy the Morning's fine salubrious Air--I saw a _Lady_--She was walking to the _Poplars_--She appeared small but walked genteel--She walked slow & looked on the ground--Her Dress look'd to be extremely good, but was only thrown carelessly on; She had a Silk shade thrown over her shoulders in which her hands were muffled--I had the Idea in a moment of a Woman in some kind of Difficulty--But how can such a woman have been to Mr Carters & done Business, who was not there last night.?--It was Mrs _Oakly_--She has the Ague and was walking for the benefit of the _Morning Air_.--We are rid of two _troubles_ from this morning till Monday: for _Bob_ & _Nancy_ are gone to the Dancing School--They dance at Colonel Lee's--Two great troubles, indeed, for this hot weather I can hardly keep them in the Room, much less to any useful business--Please to excuse me from Dinner, says Mrs Carter, & retired to her Chamber--There appears in the North a black Cloud, where it Thunders--Send us a Shower in Mercy, bountiful Heaven, tho' our Sins deserve thy Frowns & Judgments.--The Cloud thickens. it rises--At last there comes a kind Shower--After the Rain about six Ben & I took a Ride for exercise, the Corn litterally looks glad--I have made a party, Says Mr Carter at Coffee, for a Trip by Water to morrow, Mr Fithian will you be one?--With all my heart Sir, if it is agreeable--We are to ride then to Mr _Atwels_ says he, & there enter my new Barge; with her we will go down the River Machodockin to Potowmack then up the Potowmack & enter the River Nomini, & up that River Home-- [LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO JOHN PECK] Nomini-Hall. July 15th. 1774. SIR. I have communicated your intention to Mr _Carter_; he begs you will by no Means disappoint him. I wrote you a letter by the post early in June possibly it was lost, for either letters are lost, or you and the rest of my friends in _Jersey_ use me vastly ill, for I have not received a line since I have been in Virginia--You had better go into the school and acquaint yourself with the method of teaching, and procure some copper plate copies: I am by the goodness of heaven very well; I hope you will remember me to all friends at Princeton to relations and friends at Cohansie; desire _Charles_ to carry my _Homer_ to cohansie when he goes down in the vacancy; tell him I shall be at home if no unforeseen accident prevents by the last of october. You had better provide yourself with recommendations from several, especially from Doctor Witherspoon, something of the kind will not be a hindrance, but may possibly at some J[u]ncture be of eminent Service. I am, Sir, Yours, PHILIP V FITHIAN Mr John Peck. Nassau-Hall [JOURNAL] _Saturday 16._