Early to Day I wrote a Note to Mr Lowe and Harry Fantleroy to dine with us to day, & soon received their promise--After Dinner with Mr Lowe on the violin, I play'd over many tunes on the Flute, he plays with good Taste and accuracy--At five we all walk'd over to Mr Turberville's--I gave to our Wash-Woman some old Linen & as a Box 2/4--We spent the evening in Music Chat & pleasantry--But this said thing which I hear of that turn-Coat _Laura_, that She loves & courts one Mr _Rodman_ this distresses me exceedingly But this relieves me, for I have had it always in my View that--Varium & mutabile semper Feminae--Tho I have made a Solemn vow which I have no inclination at all to forego, yet if it shall appear that she has listened to another, my dearest vow is not inviolable; I will retreat from every former Promise, I will not hearken to womanish solicitations, but I shall in return for her want of goodness treat her with contempt; & Sincerely pity, instead of resent, her ineffectual Caprice-- [LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO JOHN LOWE] Nomini-Hall Octr: 18th: 1774. FOR MR LOWE. Ben: Carter's compliments with mine wait on you this morning, and beg your company with us to day to dine, if it be convenient. We also present our compliments and the same request to Mr Fantleroy. I should not have ventured to encroach upon your hours of business, but as Mr Peck, the gentleman who succeeds me in this family arrived last saturday so that I propose to set out tomorrow and should be glad to see you before I leave Virginia. I am, Sir, Your most humble Servt. P V FITHIAN. [JOURNAL] _Wednesday 19._ Mr Lowe & Fantleroy left us early But I agreed to stay till tomorrow--I gave to Nelson on going away 2/2--To Miss Sally the House-Keeper 5/.-- _Thursday 20._ I rose by three, & left Home by half after four--Gave Nelson & Dennis half a Bit a piece--rode thence to Westmoreland Court House ten Miles by half after six--Fed my Horse & drank some Brandy--Expence a Bit--Rode thence to Mattox Bridge 18 miles--Fed here three quarts of Bran & Corn for a Bit--The Bloody-Flux is now extremely bad in this Neighbourhood--I am told that scarce a Family is clear of it, & of every family some die!--Rode thence to _Tylers_ Ferry 8 miles the road extremely dry & dusty--At two I set off for Maryland, the wind fresh at South East arrived at Mrs Laidlers by five Ferriage 7/6 I gave the Ferrymen a Bottle of Rum--Here I dined on fryed Chicken, Ham, with good Porter--Accomodations good--I[n] Bed by half after Seven-- _Fryday 21._