Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian: A Plantation Tutor of the Old Dominion, 1773-1774.Fithian, Philip Vickers
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Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian: A Plantation Tutor of the Old Dominion, 1773-1774.
Fithian, Philip Vickers
Carter family; Virginia -- Social life and customs -- To 1775
_Fanny_ next, is in her Person, according to my Judgment, the Flower
in the Family--She has a strong resemblance of her _Mama_ who is an
elegant, beautiful Woman--Miss Fanny seems to have a remarkable
Sedateness, & simplicity in her countenance, which is always rather
chearful than melancholy; She has nothing with which we can find Fault
in her Person, but has something in the Features of her Face which
insensibly pleases us, & always when She is in Sight draws our
Attention, & much the more because there seems to be for every
agreeable Feature a correspondent Action which improves & adorns it.
Betsy next is young, quiet, and obedient--Harriot is bold, fearless,
noisy and lawless; always merry, almost never displeased; She seems to
have a Heart easily moved by the force of Music; She has learned many
Tunes & can strike any Note, or Succession of Notes perfectly with the
Flute or Harpsichord, and is never wearied with the sound of Music
either vocal or _Instrumental_.
These are the Persons who are at present under my direction, & whose
general Character I have very imperfectly attempted to describe.
_Wednesday 5._
Rose at Seven. The morning very stormy. _Bob_ & _Nancy_ before
Breakfast had a quarrel--Bob called Nancy a Lyar; Nancy upbraided Bob,
on the other Hand, with being often flog'd by their Pappa; often by
the Masters in College; that he had stol'n Rum, & had got drunk; &
that he used to run away &c--These Reproaches when they were set off
with Miss Nancys truely feminine address, so violently exasperated
_Bob_ that he struck her in his Rage--I was at the time in my Chamber;
when I enter'd the Room each began with loud and heavy complaints, I
put them off however with sharp admonitions for better Behaviour.
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