Mr _Carter_ rides to Westmoreland Court. By him I send my Letters to Mr _Blain_, who is going to the Congress--_Ben_ seems to be no better; has a slight Fever, pain in his Breast, & Uneasiness, I fear he is bordering on a Consumption--His fond Mother discovers great Anxiety, & true affection. Once I too had a fond indulgent Mother; when I was sick, or otherwise distress'd, She was always impatient til my Health & Ease returned; & She used to urge me likewise by precept & example to strive for an habitual Preparation for Sickness and Death! But oh! She has gone & left me, & Friendship seems to have been buried with her!--Formality & Pretence are common enough, but Sincerity & affection are exceeding rare--Mrs _Carter_ thinks it better for _Ben_ to sleep at the Great-House til he grows better, for the advantage of giving him medicine--I seem now when it is late in the Evening, lonely, & a little fearful, at least I think on what I made a Subject for a merry Hour, when I was at Home last, & a young Lady was complaining of being fearful at Night, & afraid to sleep in a Room alone--There are now (asleep I suppose) in this House, below Stairs Mr _Randolph_, & Mr _Burney_ the Cooper; two clever lusty youngsters, & in the Room next to mine _Bob_ & _Harry_ sleep--I feel yet gloomy; _Ben_ is missing, & which is worse, he is sick-- _Wednesday 31._ Last Fryday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Teusday, & this Day have been perfectly fair, but yesterday & to Day are very hot--_Ben_ quits reading & is quite unwell--Dined with us Mr _Wadman_: He is, I believe, a Man of a good understanding, but desperate in his religious Principles-- _Thursday Septemr: 1st: 1774._ One other _Calm_, _sunny_, _sweltering_ day The Colonel says it is the hottest Day we have had--I keep myself caged up in my Room, & cannot venture out on my usual _walk_ or Ride for exercise--Through divine goodness I continue in perfect Health, but as skinny & meagre as tho' I was continually sick--_Ben_ seems a little more pert today--Evening it Lightens in the North West. _Fryday 2._