--The people Went to day as usual into the Woods with the Cart & Oxen for Wood, as the cold and stormy Weather the several days past has occasioned large, & steady fires--It seems however to be a Breach of the Law of the Sabbath. _Ben_ impatient of staying at home rode out about Eleven, when the weather is more moderate; _Bob_, _Harry_ & Mr _Randolph_ also are all going out; I seem happy when intirely alone, & have undisturbed liberty to spend in Devotion God's holy Sabbath of Rest. Before Night it grew fair when on a Sudden all are out, so that we seem like a Town; but most of the Inhabitants are black--We dined at three, no company. Evening _Bob_ returned & brought Mr Turburville's Compliments, with a strong invitation for me to visit him--A little before the Sun went down I took a walk down the Poplar Avenue; which must certainly be vastly pleasant in Summer--At the farthest end of this Walk I gathered & eat some Pisimmonds from a large Tree which were exceeding sweet, & agreeable. Supped at nine, At Supper The Colonel informed me that he has invented this Day a method for finding the difference of the value of money in this _Province_ and in _Maryland_. We do not spend Sundays thus in Jersey. In Bed by ten. Ben at home. [Illustration: making a fence] _Monday 7._ The morning vastly clear & cool--The Colonel rode to Richmond court at twelve, with Mr _Randolph_, I walked to see the Negroes make a fence; they drive into the Ground Chesnut stakes about two feet apart in a strait Row, & then twist in the Boughs of _Savin_[132] which grows in great plenty here--Ben, to Day, began Virgils Georgics--And Prissy began Division--By accident to day in the Garden I took up Mr _Gegory_ the Gardiners Spade, for which he instantly called on me for my forfeit--This Gardiner through the Summer from this Time has half a Crown daily Wages--Dined at half after two. [132] An American juniper or "red cedar." _Teusday 8._ I rose by six--the morning fine. Breakfasted at nine. At twelve I walked, to the mill together with Mr & Mrs Carter; Miss Prissy & Nancy, to see them bake Biscuit, & pack flour; here too I had a Forfeit for kneeding biscuit. The Colonel shewed me and explain'd the Pan of his Mill; his Canals; Waste-gates; Toll Mill, Merchant Mill: &c. The tide flows quite to the Mill & is navigable with Canoes & Flats--He told me that his Wastgate as it stands alone cost him 95£.--And that nothing less than 5000£ Capital can continue the works & keep them supplied. The Ovens bake 100lb of Flour at a Heating; there are in the Bake-house two Ovens. Dined half after two. The Colonel formed last Sunday, & is yet compleating Tables for finding the Difference between _Virginia_, & _Maryland_ Currency, as he is entering largely into Trade he finds it necessary to be better acquainted with the Exchange. _Ben_ agreed to ask his Papa at Supper for Leave to go with me to Philadelphia but poor Boy his resolution fail'd him! _Wednesday 9._