Rode to Mr Fishers[78] dined with Mr Cunningham at 3 o-Clock--Rode in the evening to Mr Lancelot Lees,[79] a young Gentleman, who has lately come from England; sup'd on Oysters--Rode home about nine o-Clock he along-- [78] See fn. 51. [79] Lancelot Lee was the son of George Lee of "Mount Pleasant" in Westmoreland County who had died in 1761. Lancelot's brother, George Fairfax Lee, had inherited their father's manor plantation. Lancelot and George Fairfax Lee were cousins of the Lees at "Stratford," "Lee Hall," and at "Chantilly." _Sunday 21._ Rode to Church--Mr Smith preached on the Parable of the rich Man. Dined at home--Mr Lee dined with us--Reading in Pictete--Feel very home-Sick--Saw two Brothers quarrel--Doleful Sight.-- _Monday 22._ Busy in School--Mr Lee gave us his Company in the morning in School, and was very chearful--he left us about twelve o-Clock-- _Teusday 23._ Busy in School--Miss Carter rode out with her Dady and Mama to the County Court[80]--Writing at my Sermons. [80] "Nomini Hall" was some ten miles distant from the seat of government in Westmoreland County, which is situated in the present town of Montross. [POEM INSERTED IN JOURNAL] Who knows what heaven may have in view? What yet remains for me to do? But knowlege here might give me grief. Instead of pleasure and relief; I therefore yield and peaceful wait On Providence to rule my fate; Nor if it long 'til' I must fly Unbodied to my judge on high Why need I then disturb my mind? Why not lye humble and resign'd?-- Yet tho' 'tis wrong for me to try Into these mysteries to pry Sure I may sit and simply sing (I dare not strike a lofty string) The various scenes through which I've past I may be now acting my last; Here in Virginia, far from friends Except those Heaven in pity sends! Novr 23d 1773. _Wednesday 24._ Busy in School. _Thursday 25._ Rode this morning to Richmond Court-house,[81] where two Horses run for a purse of 500 Pounds; besides small Betts almost enumerable. [81] Richmond Court House, the seat of government in Richmond County, now called Warsaw, is some ten or twelve miles distant from "Nomini Hall." There were a number of enthusiastic turfmen in Richmond County during the eighteenth century. One of the Horses belonged to Colonel John Taylor,[82] and is called _Yorick_--The other to Dr. Flood,[83] and is called _Gift_--The Assembly was remarkably numerous; beyond my expectation and exceeding polite in general. [82] Colonel John Tayloe (1721-1779) was one of the wealthiest men in the Northern Neck. His manor house, "Mount Airy," was located near Richmond Court House, and overlooked the Rappahannock River, some two miles in the distance. Tayloe was a noted fancier of fine horses.