I rose at seven--The morning fair the ground muddy--_Ben_ asked me to ride with him to Mr Blains Store I chose rather to stay at Home--Ben is preparing for the approaching Ball--Bob urged me to let him go to Mr Lees, but he is so unruly & mischeivous when abroad that I was obliged to refuse him the liberty of going. I spent some hours to Day with the Girls when they were practising Music on the Guitar, & Forte-piano, Priscilla plays her tunes true and exceeding finely--In the Evening _Ben_ returned from Mr Blains--He told me the Store was thronged with company--Sup'd on chocolate, & hoe-Cake, so called because baked on a Hoe before the fire--The Colonel and his Daughter busy at Music. _Sunday 16._ The morning frosty & cold--_Ben_, _Bob_, _Harry_, & Mr _Randolph_ went to Church--I stay at Home; Read Pictete--I feel very desirous of seeing Home: of hearing good Mr Hunter Preach; of seeing my dear Brothers & Sister; Indeed the very soil itself would be precious to me!--I am shut up in my chamber; I read a while, then walk to the North window, & look over Potowmack through Maryland towards Home; then throw myself down into my Chair again & console myself that I have every necessary, & convenient Accommodation here, which I should have; nay much more than I should allow myself were I at Home. I am contented--This whole world is only a Point almost unnoticeable, when compared with the numerous _Systems_ which compose the _universe_, & yet they all are under the particular Direction & Government of _Almighty God_; How insignificant therefore is it for me and how foolish to be uneasy, & solicitous whether I live in _Cohansie_, in _Princeton_, or in _Virgininia_; Or in _America_, or in _Europe_, so long as I am still supported, & upheld by the Divine Agency!--I am fully satisfied--Guide me, propitious Heaven! Help me to Glorify my God; To honour the holy Religion which I profess; & If I shall be fitted, & introduced to the Ministry, may I still go on and be of advantage to my fellow Mortals!-- Evening, The Boys are returned; _Bob_ brings me the _parsons_ Compliments; Mr _Cunninghams_; & that Miss Corbin enquired If I was well!--Bob [also] informed me that the _Parson_, Mr _Blain_, _Cunningham_, _Balantine_, & others are to come to Captain _Turburvilles_ Mill-Pond to Skate before they go to the Ball-- _Monday 17._ At Breakfast the Colonel gave orders to the Boys concerning their conduct this Day, & through the course of the Ball--He allows them to go; to stay all this Night; to bring him an Account of all the company at the Ball; & to return tomorrow Evening--All the morning is spent in Dressing.--Mr Carter & Mrs Carter pressed me to go; But, mindful of my Promise when I left Home, I stay and enjoy myself in quiet.--I give the Children a Holiday to Day--I gave Dennis the Waiter half a Bit a Present--Mrs _Carter_, Miss _Prissy_, & _Nancy_ dressed splendidly set away from Home at two. _Teusday 18._