[83] Dr. William Flood lived at "Kinsail," a plantation in Westmoreland County. He frequently combined the pleasures of horse racing with the practice of his profession. Cf. Blanton, Wyndham B., _Medicine in Virginia in the Eighteenth Century_ (Richmond, 1931), p. 379. The Horses started precisely at five minutes after three; the Course was one Mile in Circumference, they performed the first Round in two minutes, third in two minutes & a-half, _Yorick_ came out the fifth time round about 40 Rod before _Gift_ they were both, when the Riders dismounted very lame; they run five Miles, and Carried 180 lb--Rode home in the Evening--Expence to the Boy 7-1/2d-- _Fryday 26._ Busy in School--Robin, & Nancy at dancing-School. _Saturday 27._ Robin and Nancy yet at Dancing-School--Mr Harry Fantleroy call'd after dinner to see us. In the Evening Ben & I rode with him to his fathers; I was introduced to one Mr Walker a Scotch Gentleman, lately a School-master but has quit, and is going in the Spring for the Gown to England.[84] [84] Since it was often difficult to secure a sufficient number of clergymen for the parishes in Virginia, young English schoolmasters and tutors were frequently induced to return to the mother country and take orders so that they might fill such vacancies. _Sunday 28._ Rode to Church--the Parson was absent; it is indeed a little cold! The Clerk read prayers for us--We rode home--Found at Home two young Ladies, Miss Corbin, and Miss Turburville and Mr George Lee, brother to the Gentleman here last Sunday, & has lately returned from England--I was introduced by Mr Carter to the two latter-- _Monday 29._ All our Scholars present--Mr Carter has put into my hands; Tyre's Dictionary, & the pronouncing Dictionary, to improve his Sons in Grammar classically, both Latin and English, and he has given me Fenning in Arrithmetic. _Teusday 30._ Busy in School--I was solicited the other Day at the Race by one Mr _Gordon_,[85] to take and instruct two of his Sons, Saturday also I was again solicited by Mr Fantleroy to take two of his Sons--But I must decline it-- [85] Robert Carter's account books reveal that he sometimes had business transactions with one George C. Gordon of Westmoreland County. _Wednesday Decemr 1st 1773._ Busy in School--Wrote home by the Post, to Mr Green & _Johnny Peck_. Afternoon Vacant. [LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO THE REVEREND ENOCH GREEN] Decemr 1st 1773. REVD SIR. As you desired I may not omit to inform you, so far as I can by a letter, of the business in which I am now engaged, it would indeed be vastly agreeable to me if it was in my power to give you particular intelligence concerning the state and plan of my employment here.