I would have a man who lived in the wretchedest corner of the earth think his own country the first of countries; for 'tis noble and natural, one of the most respectable instincts in the human heart. We rode till half-past three. The horse I was upon was, Mr. ---- assured me, an English one, but he had been long enough in this world to learn racking, and forget every other more christian pace; he tired me dreadfully. After dinner, wrote journal till time to go to the theatre. The play was the School for Scandal; in the fourth act of which Joseph Surface assured me that _I was a plethora_!!!--Mr. ---- came in and supped with us after the play. He gave us a very interesting account of a school that had been attempted to be formed in Massachusetts, for the purpose of educating young men of the savage tribes, who were willing to become Christians, and receive instruction. It was obliged, however, to be given up, in consequence of several of them having fallen in love with and married American girls, whom they took away into the woods, many of them after they were there returning to their savage ways of living, which must have placed their wretched Christian wives in a horrible situation. _Friday, 18th._ At eleven, Mr. ---- called to take D---- and myself to the War-Office: I wanted her to see the Indian spoils there. On our way thither, he read us some very pretty verses which he had written upon the subject of the "woman who spoke first." When we had seen what we wanted to see, we returned home, and I began to habit. While doing so, received a most comical Yankee note, signed by Mr. ----, but written, I am sure, by Captain ----, to apprize me that the former was unwell, but that he, Captain ----, would accompany me on horseback, if I pleased. The note was exquisite. I finished dressing, and then we set off. I charged Captain ---- with the note, and he pleaded guilty,--the thing was evident. While we were riding, Captain ---- told me sundry most exquisite native morceaux, and one thing that half-killed me with laughing. Mr. ----'s negro servant and Mr. ----'s conversing together about me, one asked the other if he had seen me yet at the theatre, to which Mr. ----'s man replied, "No, sir; I have had the pleasure of seeing Miss Kemble in private society:"--he brings my horse down every morning for me! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Perhaps, after all, life is worth no more than a laugh, and all its strange mysteries of sin and suffering, its summer dreams of excellence innate and to be acquired, its fond yearning affections, its deep passions, its high and glorious tendings,--all but jests to make the worldly-wise smile, and the believers in them despair. God keep me from such thoughts!--they are dreadful! * * * * * * * * * *