Ben is making a great Bustle about going to Philadelphia--He almost counts the Hours--We propose to go next Wednesday. But with composure, & Patience, yet with great Satisfaction I anticipate the near approaching Day. _Ben_ begs me to acquaint him with the manners of the People in regard to Religion, and he swears he can suit himself to any serious, or formal Visage--
Mrs _Carter_, & Miss _Corbin_, after Breakfast rode to Colonel Frank-Lee's--We dine alone. I informed the Colonel that I do not think it will be convenient for me to continue with him longer than one year--He discovered some dissattisfaction; I told him my reason & he assented--he honours me, by putting in me so much confidence as to commission me to find out and recommend to Him some young Gentleman to succeed me in the instruction of his Children--He flattered my vanity also by reading a Letter to me which I am to bear to Dr Witherspoon, the contents of it as follows--
"Robert _Carters_ compliments to Dr _Witherspoon_: He has the pleasure to acquaint Him that Mr Fithians Method of teaching, & his conduct are highly approved here; He is about to visit his friends in _New-Jersey_, & will bring these from Sir,
He informed me that he does indeed prefer a Tutor for his Children who has been educated upon the Continent, not on a supposition that such are better Schollars, or that they are of better principles, or of more agreeable Tempers; but only on account of pronunciation in the English Language, (as most of his Children are to be taught chiefly in this) in which he allows young Gentlemen educated in good Schools on the Continent, to excel the Scotch young Gentlemen, & indeed most of the English.--Evening came in & staid the Night Captain Blackwell.
Breakfasted with us Miss _Corbin_. The Day pleasant--Mr Carter proposes to set away soon after Dinner--He seems, however, to prepare himself for his Journey with all the sedateness of a philosopher--Besides the Commands he gave me yesterday, he desires me to wait on Mr Willing[146] Merchant in Philadelphia & know if he will trade here for either Flour or Bread in any Quantity.--He has given Ben & me an Invitation to ride & spend this Evening with him at Colonel _Tayloe's_--We set out about three; Mr _Carter_ travels in a small, neat _Chair_, with two waiting Men--We rode across the Country which is now in full Bloom; in every field we saw Negroes planting Corn, or plowing, or hoeing; we arrived at the Colonels about five, Distance twelve miles. Here is an elegant Seat!--The House is about the Size of Mr. _Carters_, built with Stone, & finished curiously, & ornamented with various paintings, & rich Pictures. This Gentleman owns _Yorick_, who won the prize of 500£ last November, from Dr Floods Horse _Gift_--In the Dining-Room, besides many other fine Pieces, are twenty four of the most celebrated among the English Race-Horses, Drawn masterly, & set in elegant gilt Frames.--He has near the great House, two fine two story stone Houses, the one is used as a Kitchen, & the other, for a nursery, & Lodging Rooms--He has also a large well formed, beautiful Garden, as fine in every Respect as any I have seen in _Virginia_. In it stand four large beautiful Marble Statues--From this House there is a good prospect of the River _Rapahannock_, which opposite here is about two miles across; We can also from the chambers easily see the Town Hobbes-Hole & the Ships which lie there. I was introduced by Mr _Carter_ to the Colonel, to Miss Polly, & to Miss Kitty his Daughters--& to a Lady (Mrs Thornton,)[147] that happened there, & to a young Gentleman, Mr Corvin[148]--The young Ladies played several tunes for us, & in good Taste on the _Harpsichord_; We supp'd at nine; & had the usual Toasts.