This afternoon _Dennis_, a Boy of about twelve Years old, one of the Waiters at Table, as he was standing in the front Door which is vastly huge & heavy; the Door flew up, and drew off the Skin & Flesh from his middle Finger caught between, took off the first Joint, and left the Bone of the greater part of the Rest of the Finger naked. _Saturday 8._ Catechised the Children, and dismiss'd them about ten. The morning pleasant--Rode before Dinner to Mr Blains Store--Was introduced to Dr _Thompson_,[111] Mr _Balantine_,[112] Mr _Carr_ a young Scotch-Man Clerk, to Mr Blain; dined with Mr Blain. Parson _Smith_, his Wife, & her Sister were there--Colonel Washington, his Wife, & their Daughter Miss Jenny a young Lady of few words, a sanguine Countenance, and as to her Size, something below what Ladies call elegant; neat but not _flashy_ in her Dress; Some of her Dress I admired because I have seen _Laura_ in the like, yit strongly shewed me that it is not Dress alone I admire in Her. All these had been at a Widding in the country and were returning--In Dr _Thomsons_ Room there was hanging against the Wall a Skeleton!--Balantine, either to shew himself a true full-blooded Buck, or out of mere wantonness & pastime turned the Bones (as they were fixed together with Wires) into many improper and indecent postures; but this officious industry met with such reception from the company as it Justly merited, and as I wish'd might happen; for they gave visible signs of their contempt of his Behaviour--About Six in the Evening the Chariot returned with _Bob_, Miss _Prissy_ & _Nancy_ from the Dance at _Stratford_--They brought News as follows: Miss Prissy told us, that they had an elegant Dance on the Whole; that Colonel Philip Lee, where they met to Dance, was on Fryday, at the Wedding of which I made mention Just now; that Mr _Christian_ the Master danced several Minuets, prodigiously beautiful; that Captain Grigg (Captain of an English Ship) danced a Minuet with her; that he hobled most dolefully, & that the whole Assembly laughed!--_Bob_ told us that there was a Race between Mr ---- And Colonels Horses--that they run a Mile, & that _Dottrell_[113] belonging to Mr ---- won the Race;--_Bob_ told me in private, after we were alone in my Room, that Colonel Lee took an Opportunity, & asked him in the Hearing of a large company at Supper, what sort of _Fellow_ he is whom your _Papa_ had provided for your _Tutor_--_Bob_ told me that for answer he Informed him I was good and agreeable--That Miss Jenny Corbin, (a young Lady with whom I have had the greatest Opportunity of being acquainted, of any young Lady in Virginia) gave him so favourable an Account of my Behaviour, that he was pleased to say He should be glad to see me at his House, & of my company--But after having heard this much, I shall esteem myself pardonable, & shall always think it proper to refuse without thanks his warmest Invitations; & will plead for my excuse nothing else than mere inclination.