Very stormy this morning with Rain and Hail which instantly freezes; the trees hang bending with Ice, & the ways are all glassy & slippery--None think of going to Church this day--Mrs Carter & I after Breakfast had a long conversation on religious affairs--Particularly on differing Denominations of Protestants--She thinks the Religion of the established Church without Exception the best of any invented or practised in the world. & indeed she converses with great propriety on these things, & discovers her very extensive Knowledge; She allows the Difference between the Church, & Presbyterianism to be only exceeding small, & wishes they were both intirely united! Through this whole Day it storms but the Evening is terrible! almost an Inundation of Rain; The wind violent at North-East; The Snow, Hail, and Rain freezing together on the Ground! This Evening the Negroes collected themselves into the School-Room, & began to play the _Fiddle_, & dance--I was in Mr Randolphs Room;--I went among them, _Ben_, & _Harry_ were of the company--_Harry_ was dancing with his Coat off--I dispersed them however immediately. _Monday 31._ Excessive sloppy--Miss _Nancy_ came to School to Day--I finished my verses which are to be presented as a Valantine to Miss _Prissy Carter_. _Teusday February 1st 1774._ Fair & mild but vastly muddy--About twelve Squire _Lee_ & young _Harry Lee_, who was a College-Fellow, came to see us. They staid while about five. The Toasts at Dinner were as usual--The Colonel & Mrs Carter seem Much pleased with Harry, & with his manner. _Wednesday 2._ The weather vastly fine. At twelve o-Clock the Colonel & Miss _Prissy_ rode out for an airing--_Prissy_ This day began Multiplication. We had also a large elegant Writing Table brought to us, so high that the Writers must stand. _Thursday 3._ Prissy, & Nancy practising music--We had last night Thunder, Lightning, & a very great shower. _Fryday 4._ I put Ben this day into virgil--We had our Room mended & came into it--at twelve I rode out to Mr Taylors about two Miles, in again by Dinner-Time--Dined with us one Mrs Hut--This Evening, in the School-Room, which is below my Chamber, several Negroes & _Ben,_ & _Harry_ are playing on a _Banjo_ & dancing!-- _Saturday 5:_ I spent the morning in my Room, _Ben_, & _Bob_ are gone out. About twelve came on a visit Mr _Goodlett_, & _Saml Fantleroy_;[121] I spent the remainder of the day with them.--At Dinner when call'd upon for a Toast I gave Miss _Sally Hollinshead_. Mr Goodlett told me he has had an Invitation, to accept a School in _Leeds_,[122] a town on the River Rapahannock, about 25 Miles from this up & across the Country. [121] Samuel Griffin Fauntleroy (1759-1826) was the son of Moore Fauntleroy of "The Cliffs" in Richmond County. [122] Leedstown was a thriving center of trade and shipping. It had been incorporated in 1742. _Sunday 6._