This morning, as Ben & Bob were agreeing on the price of a Rudiman Grammar, which _Bob_ wanted to purchase of _Ben_; after some time when Bob would not give 2/10. Bens great demand for a Book almost worn out, which when new, may, by thousands be had in Philadelphia for 2/. that Currency--He threw his Book into the fire, & destroy'd it at once!--An Instance of two ruling Foibles which I discover in Ben viz. obstinacy, & avarice. And another I mentioned the other day, of his agreeing, for half a Bit, or 3½d a week, to play the flute for a limited time, every night after I am in Bed; of this however he has grown tired, & given up his wages on account of the Labour, or Confinement of the Task--And I should be deceived, if a very little money would not excite him to submit to almost any menial service--Bob however; for the present is frustrated in his purpose of learning Grammer, & it seems to chagrin him as much, as tho' he actually believed in what Mrs Taylor[139] told him last Sunday, that without he understands Latin, he will never be able to win a young Lady of Family & fashion for his Wife.--At the Noon play-Hours _Bob_ & _Nelson_ the Boy who waits on the School had a fight, I know not on what account; it was Bobs misfortune in the course of the Battle to receive a blow on his cheek near his Eye, which is visible, & brought the intelligence of the Quarrel to me, for all were wholly silent till I made inquiry, when all in a moment seem'd to turn & try to convict him--In the Evening, after School, I took them both to my Room and examined them of the reason, Place, and manner of their fighting; from themselves it seem'd plain that they fought for mere Diversion I therefore dismiss'd Nelson, & kept Bob til near Supper & then gave him a smart correction & dismiss'd him. [139] Mrs. Tayloe. _Wednesday 16._ The morning cloudy & windy, Breakfasted at nine--Mr Randolph hurt himself by a Fall from a fence to day badly--Dined at half after two--Towards Evening the clouds all scattered, the wind fell, & left the air pleasant: The Birds also seemed glad and merry--The whole reminded me of a beautiful, & memorable passage in _Milton_. "If Chance the Radiant Sun with farewel-Sweet, Extend his Evening Beam the fields revive, The Birds their notes renew, the bleating Herds Attest their joy that Hill & valley rings." After school, I had the honour of taking a walk with Mrs Carter through the Garden--It is beautiful, & I think uncommon to see at this Season peas all up two & three Inches--We gathered two or three Cowslips in full-Bloom; & as many violets--The English Honey Suckle is all out in green & tender Leaves--Mr Gregory is grafting some figs--Mrs Carter shewed me her Apricot-Grafts; Asparagus Beds &c Before Supper a Black cloud appeared in the West, at which Mrs Carter discovered much concern as She is uncommonly affraid both of wind and Thunder. _Thursday 17._