we rode Home, the Evening sharp and cold!--I handed the Ladies out, waited on them to a warm Fire, then ran over to my own Room, which was warm and had a good Fire; oh how welcome! Better this than to be at the Ball in some corner nodding, and awaked now & then with a midnight Yell!--In my Room by half after twelve; & exceeding happy that I could break away with Reputation.-- [115] Colonel Henry Lee of "Leesylvania." [116] Apparently George Fairfax Lee of "Mount Pleasant." [117] Parson Giberne was not so fortunate in escaping criticism on other occasions. Fithian, himself, notes his gambling several times, and the Reverend Jonathan Boucher, Landon Carter and Robert Wormeley Carter all comment upon it in their journals. _Wednesday 19._ Rose at Nine while the Bell was ringing--Breakfasted at ten, Mr _Carter_ and I alone, the Ladies yet in Bed--I gave the Children the third Holiday; _Bob_ _Ben_ & _Harry_ are yet at the Dance--Mrs Carter declines going to Day, I took a Walk out before Dinner, & with my Pen-knife carved _Laura's_ much admired Name, upon a smooth beautiful Beech-Tree--Towards Evening Mrs Lane left us & rode home--_Bob_ came Home about six, but so sleepy that he is actually stupified!-- _Thursday 20._ _Ben_ came Home late in the Night--This morning he looks fatigued out. We began to study to Day but all seem sleepy and dull. Dined with us to-day Mr _Lee_ a Gentleman from Augusta County, who has lately been to the Settlements on Ohio. Evening I began some Verses on Miss Carter for a present at the approaching Valantine[118]--But I drew the Picture from Laura. [118] See this valentine in Appendix, pp. 230-233. _Fryday 21._ All seem tolerably recruited this morning; we hear, the company left the Ball last Evening, quite wearied out; tho' the Colonel intreated them to stay the proposed Time. To Day about twelve came to Mr _Carters_ Captain _John Lee_, a Gentleman who seems to copy the Character of _Addisons Will Wimble_. When I was on my way to this place I saw him up in the country at Stafford; he was then just sallying out on his Winters Visit, & has got now so far as here, he stays, as I am told about eight, or ten Weeks in the year at his own House, the remaining part he lives with his waiting Man on his Friends.-- _Saturday 22._ Captain Lee with us to Day--The Weather cold; I set in my Room all Day working at my Verses for Miss Carter. _Sunday 23._ None went to Church on account of the Cold--Afternoon the Sun shone fair--I took my Horse & rode about a Mile & returned--Captain _Lee_ left us this Day. _Monday 24._