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
There came in about eight o-Clock a man very drunk, & grew exceeding
noisy & troublesome, & as the Evening was cold & stormy Mr Carter
thought it improper to send him away; he was therefore ordered into
the Kitchen, to stay the Night: Him Bob soon after persuaded to the
School-house; I soon heard from my Room the noise & guesed immediately
the Cause. I waited however 'til half after ten, when all seemed
silent; I then took a candle & went into the School-Room, And before
the Fire Bob had brought a matt, & Several Blankets, & was himself in
a sound sleep covered with the Blankets on the same Matt between the
drunken Man, & a Negro Fellow, his Papas Postilion! I mention this as
one Example among a thousand to shew the very particular Taste of this
Boy!--I could mention another which would illustrate what I have said
of this passion for Horses when I gave a Scetch of his character,
_Ben_ has a very sightly young mare which he has in keeping for our
intended Journey; this morning Bob agreed to give his Brother a
Pisterene, & a rich Tortoise-Shell Handled Knife bound elegantly with
Silver, only for Liberty to ride this Mare every day to Water, until
his Brother sets away, & would consent to be limited as to the Gait he
should use in Riding--I borrowed the late Magazines & read them in my
Leisure. I am daily more charmed & astonished with Mrs Carter. I think
indeed she is to be placed in the place with Ladies of the first
Degree.
_Saturday 5._
Very stormy this morning, no going out: I spend the day very agreeably
at Home. Mr Carter appointed to _Ben_, & I another _Sonata_ to
practise. He wrote for Miss _Nancy_ also "Infancy" to get by Heart &
sing it with the _Guitar_. The day continues stormy; _Bob_, however,
has ventured out; for neither Heat, nor Cold, nor Storm can stay
him!--
We dined at three--The Colonel at Dinner observed that many of the
most just, & nervous sentiments are contain'd in Songs & small
Sketches of Poetry; but being attended with _Frippery Folly_ or
_Indecency_ they are many times look'd over. I am remarkably pleased
with the Monument erected to the memory of General _Wolfe_ in the
universal Magazine for September 1773. The General is there
represented in an expiring Posture, supported by an English Soldier,
who seems to comfort him in his last moments, by directing his closing
Eyes to a Figure representing Victory, holding in one hand a
palm-Branch, the emblem of peace; & a Crown or Wreath of immortality
in the other, which she offers the dying commander; while he himself
seems to make a final effort to express his Sattisfaction at her
Appearance. On the corners of the Base are two Lions couchant, the
Emblems of the british Nation, supporting the Sarcophagus or marble
Urn, & intended to express the gratitude of his native country for his
eminent Services. On the first pannel of the Base is an elegant alto
Relievo, representing the debarkation of the Troops at the Foot of the
Heights of Abraham.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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