_Nancy_ the Second, is not without some few of those qualities which are by some (I think with great ill nature, and with little or no truth) said to belong intirely to the fair Sex. I mean great curiosity, Eagerness for superiority, Ardor in friend ship, But bitterness and rage where there is enmity--She is not constant in her disposition, nor diligent nor attentive to her business--But She has her excellencies, She is cheerful, tender in her Temper, easily managed by perswasion & is never without what seems to have been a common Gift of Heaven, to the _fair-Sex_, the "_Copia Verborum_," or readiness of Expression!--She is only beginning to play the _Guitar_, She understands the Notes well, & is a graceful Dancer.
_Fanny_ next, is in her Person, according to my Judgment, the Flower in the Family--She has a strong resemblance of her _Mama_ who is an elegant, beautiful Woman--Miss Fanny seems to have a remarkable Sedateness, & simplicity in her countenance, which is always rather chearful than melancholy; She has nothing with which we can find Fault in her Person, but has something in the Features of her Face which insensibly pleases us, & always when She is in Sight draws our Attention, & much the more because there seems to be for every agreeable Feature a correspondent Action which improves & adorns it. Betsy next is young, quiet, and obedient--Harriot is bold, fearless, noisy and lawless; always merry, almost never displeased; She seems to have a Heart easily moved by the force of Music; She has learned many Tunes & can strike any Note, or Succession of Notes perfectly with the Flute or Harpsichord, and is never wearied with the sound of Music either vocal or _Instrumental_.
These are the Persons who are at present under my direction, & whose general Character I have very imperfectly attempted to describe.
Rose at Seven. The morning very stormy. _Bob_ & _Nancy_ before Breakfast had a quarrel--Bob called Nancy a Lyar; Nancy upbraided Bob, on the other Hand, with being often flog'd by their Pappa; often by the Masters in College; that he had stol'n Rum, & had got drunk; & that he used to run away &c--These Reproaches when they were set off with Miss Nancys truely feminine address, so violently exasperated _Bob_ that he struck her in his Rage--I was at the time in my Chamber; when I enter'd the Room each began with loud and heavy complaints, I put them off however with sharp admonitions for better Behaviour.