Size of your Brother R--Also five Girls between five & fourteen years Old. The Girls all dress in White, & are remarkably genteel. They have been educated in the City Williamsburg in this Colony--The two eldest are now learning Music, one to play the Harpsichord; the other the Guittar, in the practice of which they spend three Days in the Week--I have only further to acquaint you that every one is now speaking of the approaching Christmas.--The young Ladies tell me we are to have a Ball, of selected Friends in this Family--But I, hard Lot, I have never learn'd to dance! I am, however, my dear Eliza, thine PHI: V. FITHIAN. [JOURNAL] _Wednesday 22._ Mr _Cunningham_ came last Evening and staid the Night.--There is a Report that he is making suit to Miss _Jenny Corbin_. To day I finished my Sermon for the Presbitery--I read _Pictete_, The _Spectator_, _Salust_, _History of England_, _English Grammar_, _Arithmetic_, and the _Magazines_ by turns. Miss _Priscilla_, and Miss _Nancy_ rode this morning in the Chariot over to Mr _Turburvills_-- Bob, every day at twelve o-Clock, is down by the River Side with his Gun after Ducks, Gulls &c.--Ben is on his Horse a Riding, Harry, is either in the Kitchen, or at the Blacksmiths, or Carpenters Shop. They all find places of Rendesvous so soon as the Beell rings, and all seem to choose different Sports!--To day dined with us Mr Cox the Gentleman at whose House I breakfasted the Day after I came first.--Evening Mr Carter spent in playing on the Harmonica; It is the first time I have heard the Instrument. The music is charming! He play'd, Water parted from the Sea.[103]--The Notes are clear and inexpressibly Soft, they swell, and are inexpressibly grand; & either it is because the sounds are new, and therefore please me, or it is the most captivating Instrument I have Ever heard. The sounds very much resemble the human voice, and in my opinion they far exceed even the swelling Organ. [103] This song occurs in an opera, _Artaxerxes_, by Thomas Augustine Arne, which was first performed in London in 1762. The libretto of Arne was an adaptation of an Italian drama, _Artaserse_, by Metastasio (Pietro Antonia Domenico Bonaventura). Metastasio was born in 1698 and died in 1782. _Thursday 23._ Rose at eight--Rains this morning, the weather is also warmer. Mr Carter has sent his son Ben to his head _Overseer_, to take notice and account of the measuring the Crop of Corn--For the Planters now have just gathered in their Summers Crop!--To Day I write a letter to _Laura_: Waft it, kind Oppertunity, soon to the dear Maid, and Make it easy, & desirable for her to make me a Return!--