* * * * * At the end I was so tired, and so overcome with the side-ach, that I lay down on the floor perfectly done up. _Friday, 28th._ After breakfast, ---- called. Settled to ride, if possible, to-morrow. I would give the world for a good shaking. I'm dying of the blue devils: I have no power to rouse myself. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * When ---- was gone, sat down to practise. Tried Mrs. Hemans's Messenger Bird, but the words were too solemn and too sad: I sobbed instead of singing, and was a little relieved. Went in to see Mrs. ----. She seemed better; she was _en toilette_, in a delicate white wrapper, with her fine hair twisted up round her classical head. She is a beautiful person; she is better--an amiable, a sensible, and a pious one; I am very deeply interested by her; I like her extremely. At half-past one, went to the riding-school. I met there a daughter of old Lady ----'s, who introduced herself to me, and asked leave to stay and see me ride, which leave I gave her. The bay pony is, however, fairly ruined. A little wretch not twelve years old had just been riding it: it had fallen from all its paces, and went so lame that I gave up riding, and sat disconsolately enough in the little dressing-closet, looking through a window six inches square, at the blessed mild blue heavens, and longing for wings, till my soul was like to faint. * * * * * * * * * * After dinner, wrote journal. Went in and sat with Mrs. ----. By the by, that worthy youth, Mr. ----, dined with us. I got rid of some of my vapours by sundry hearty laughs at him. I am sorry to leave Philadelphia on Mrs. ----'s account. I am growing to her. Oh, Lord! how soon, how soon we do this!--how we do cling to every thing in spite of the pitiless wrenches of time and chance! Her dear babies are delightful to me; their laughing voices have power to excite and make me happy,--and when they come dancing to meet me, my heart warms very fondly towards them. * * * * * * * * * *