, than Doc^t
Mead's w^{ch} I have just received. To follow my
inclination at this time, I must endeavor to
forget I have a Sister to instruct, and a parcel
of little Negroes whom I have undertaken to teach
to read, and instead of writing an answer bring it
My self, and indeed gratitude as well as
inclination obliges me to wait on M^{rs} Pinckney
as soon as I can, but it will not be in my power
til a month or two hence. Mama payes her comp^{ts}
to Mrs Pinckney, and hopes she will excuse her
waiting on her at this time, but will not fail to
do it very soon.

I am a very Dunce, for I have not acquired y^e
writing short hand yet with any degree of
swiftness--but I am not always one for I give a
very good proof of the brightness of my Genius
when I can distinguish well enough to subscribe my
self with great esteem.

Sir
Your most obe^d humble Serv^t
ELIZA LUCAS.

And again:

Why my dear Miss Bartlett, will you so often
repeat y^r desire to know how I trifle away my
time in our retirement in my father's absence;
could it afford you advantage or pleasure I would
not have hesitated, but as you can expect neither
from it I would have been excused; however, to
show you my readiness in obeying y^r commands,
here it is.

In gen^l then I rise at five o'Clock in the
morning, read till seven--then take a walk in the
garden or fields, see that the Servants are at
their respective business, then breakfast. The
first hour after breakfast is spent in musick, the
next is constantly employed in recolecting
something I have learned, lest for want of
practise it should be quite lost, such as french
and shorthand. After that, I devote the rest of
the time till I dress for dinner, to our little
polly, and two black girls who I teach to read,
and if I have my papa's approbation (my mama's I
have got) I intend for school mistress's for the
rest of the Negroe children. Another scheme you
see, but to proceed, the first hour after dinn