* * * * * It rained so, we hackneyed to church. This is twice Mr. ---- has not been to church, which is really very wrong, though it leaves us the pew comfortably to ourselves. Dr. ---- must be an excellent good man--his sermons are every way delightful; good sense, sound doctrine, and withal a most winning mildness and gentleness of manner. A benevolent good man, I am sure, he must be. Came home--copied snuff-box verses for my father; divided out my story of the Sisters into acts and scenes: began doing the same by the English tragedy; but in the midst took a fancy to make a story instead of a play of it--and so I will, I think. Dressed for dinner. At about half-past five Colonel ---- and his Quaker wife came. She is a most delightful creature, with the sweetest expression of face imaginable. She reminded me several times of dear Mrs. ----. Her dress, too, the rich brown watered silk, made so plainly, recalled Mrs. ---- to me very forcibly. We had a very comfortable dinner and evening. They went away at about half-past ten. _Monday, 19th._ After breakfast, wrote journal. Went out shopping and returning cards; called on Mrs. ----, and was let in. I like her; she is a nice person, with agreeable manners. Came home at about half-past two; put out things for the theatre; dined at three. After dinner, pottered about clothes till time to go to the theatre. The house was very good. My benefit--play, Much Ado about Nothing. I played very well. I am much improved in my comedy acting. Came home in a coach--it poured with rain. What a stupid day! The accounts of cholera in New Orleans are frightful; they have the yellow fever there too. Poor people! what an awful visitation! _Tuesday, 20th._