orrow.

I have spent the day pretty agreeably. Lucy Gordon is to stay with me
to-night.

[Sidenote: Col. Ball, probably the aide and kinsman of Gen. Washington:
his second wife was Frances Washington, niece and legatee of Gen.
Washington.]

I have spent the morning in reading; and, much to my satisfaction, old
Mrs. Gordon is just come to spend the day here. Lucy Gordon and myself
are just returned from walking out. I was delighted: we walked to a
river--they call it here; but it is very narrow. The banks of it are
beautiful, covered with moss and wild flowers; all that a romantic mind
could form. I thought of my Polly, and thought how delighted she would
have been had she been a Spectater of the scene; and how much more
pleased would your Lucy have been, how more delighted if she could have
had her Polly to point out the Beauties too, and make her observations:
but her dear Company was denied. Lucy Gordon is a truly good Girl, but
nothing of the romance in her. So much the better, say I; she is much
happier without. I wish to Heaven I had as little. Colonel Ball dined
here to-day: a very clever man.

Sept. 18.

To-day we return Mrs. Spotswood's visit. I have to crape my hair, which,
of all things, is the most disagreeable. Adieu, my Polly, till my
return.

Well, my dear, I am returned; and much pleased. Mrs. Spotswood is
mighty clever in her house. She has a Daughter, about twelve years old
(though very large of her age--she is as tall as I am), very agreeable,
though not handsome.

They are at cards below, and have sent for me to join them, though I had
much rather stay and converse with my Polly; yet politeness obliges my
obeying the summons.

Sept. 19.

To-day we dine at Old Mrs. Gordon's: I flatter myself I shall spend this
day agreeably. This evening Colonel Ball insisted on our drinking tea
with him: we did, and I was much pleased with my visit; his Wife was not
at home.

I have returned, and am sitting alone, writing to my dearest Polly. I
don't think I ever met with kinder, better People in my life; they do
everything in their Power to make you happy. I have almost determined
not to go to the races this Fall: every one appears to be astonished at
[me,] but I am sure there is no sollid happiness to be found in such
amusements. I don't think I could answer for myself if you were to go;
and then I should only go to be with you. I have no notion of
sacrificing my own ease and happiness to the Opin