Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian Part 5

I may not omitt telling you that--Smith as we were returning Home, pitied you from his Heart; An agreeable, & sensible young Lady, separated from genteel Society, & prisoned in a Room in the Woods, in the Midst of an unpleasant Country, like a penitent Virgin conscious of her Sins, voluntarily retiring to a lonely Monastary!--But he forgot, Laura, that infelt Peace, makes us always happy, even tho' our Circ.u.mstances be apparently distressful.

I am, Eliza, yours PHILIP. V. FITHIAN.

[JOURNAL]

_Wednesday. Sept: 15._

Rose at seven; slept but little for I was affraid--Breakfasted on Oysters, at the Ferry-Mans, with John Holmes, Esq:--Had an Hours Conversation with him, on Lotteries--Whether they are just & lawful--He thinks not--At ten we came up to his Brother Benjamin Holmes's Esq:--They mentioned to me an Intention they have to erect, & establish a School, among them, that their Children may be taught, Latin, Greek, & the Practical Branches in Mathematicks--They desired to know if it would be convenient, & agreeable for me to undertake with them, to prosecute their Plan. But I must, with Doubt, away to _Virginia_--It would be a laudable undertaking if such a School could be founded in this Part of our Province; & I think ought to be duely encouraged--

I left Mr Holmes's about twelve, & came to Mr Hunters about four, seventeen Miles--Evening walked Home. Expence 2s/0.

_Sunday. Sept: 19._

Rose half after six--Read some in Pictete--Walked to Sermon by ten; Smith Rode in order to go home with Mr Hunter after Sermon--Dr Ward seems very low, confined commonly to his Bed; the Disorder it is to be feared is a Consumption, & increases in malignity almost daily--How much will Cohansie feel his Death if by this Illness he is soon taken of, or by the Violence of it wholly disabled to practice among us, who has been so long successful in his Work! Received a Letter late last Night from Mr Hunter at College, and He informs me that the Dr insists on my Going to Virginia--

[WILLIAM R. SMITH TO PHILIP FITHIAN]

Philadelphia Octr 3d 1773.

FUTURUS PEDEGOG'ISSIMUS.

Fe-O-whiraw, whiraw, hi, fal, lal fal, lal de lal dal a fine song--commencement is over whiraw I say again whiraw, whiraw.

And what is more never was there such a commencement at princeton before and most likely never will be again. The galeries were cracking every now and then all day--every mouse hole in the church was cram'd full--The stage covered with Gentlemen and ladies amongst whom was the Governor and his lady; and that he might not appear singular Lee[39]

was stiff with lace, gold-lace--

[39] Henry Lee (1729-1787) of "Leesylvania," in Prince William County, Virginia (known later as "Light Horse Harry" Lee) was a student at Princeton at this time. He was a brother of "Squire" Richard Lee of "Lee Hall" in Westmoreland County. Henry Lee later became the father of Robert E. Lee.

A band of music from Philadelphia a.s.sisted to make all agreeable and to crown the whole the eloquence of Demosthenes was heared in almost every mans mouth, so that the person who spoke last was always the hero of the tale--O murder! what shall I do I want to say a great deal to you but cannot for the girls who are almost distracting my heart--O murder! murder, murder I say what will become of me, murder, murder--I shall go distracted--I saw Dr Beaty[40] and Betsy--I gave your love to them--and indeed to tell you the truth I could not for my life help leaving my own heart, and love, and all with Besy--she is realy a sweet soul. I wish ten millions and she were mine, I should be a happy creature, happy indeed to the last degree--. I got cleverly up from cohansie early in the evening--My love ten thousand times and ten thousand kisses to all the girls of my acquaintance.

[40] Dr. John Beatty had been graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1769. Cf. Williams, ed., _Fithian_, p. 90, fn. 1.

I cannot quit but must

WILLM R. SMITH.

[JOURNAL]

_Wednesday. Octob. 6._

Walked with _Paterson_, after Breakfast to Mr _Hunters_, where we met with Mr _Smith_, & Mr _Irwin_ two young Clergimen, & Mr Hunter Junr.

They came down yesterday, & inform that the Commencement was the most splendid, & honoured with the greatest Number of Strangers of any one, perhaps, since it was founded, May it still increase, & long flourish!--Immediately after Dinner _Smith_ & _Irwin_ set off for _Cape-May_--Andrew brings me Word that I must by the twentieth of this Month meet Mr _Imlay_ in New-Castle, who is going down into Virginia.

And I must at last, away--The thought is indeed hard!

_Thursday Octob: 7._

Slept but little last Night; my Mind seems troubled and involuntarily disturbs me! Rose early--After Breakfast rode to Deerfield. Settled all my Affairs, & took a formal, final Leave of my Friends, & Relations there! Rode home in the Evening. By the State I received a Letter from Mr _McCalla_,[41] with a Suit of _Cloths_. Cost 6/16/6.

Expence in the Evening for a Bowl of _Punch_ 1/6--

[41] John McCalla, Jr., was a friend of Fithian who lived in Philadelphia.

_Fryday Octob: 8._

To Day is the Fast before our Sacrament--O that the mighty G.o.d would teach me true Humiliation for my many Sin's, & give me Grace that shall enable me to hate & forsake them!--Grace to keep me right in the Path of Life, & to guide me to his heavenly Kingdom.--Mr Hunter preached two useful Sermons, describing worthy, & unworthy Communicants--

_Sat.u.r.day October 9._

Rode to the _Bridge_, & bought a Saddle, Bridle, Spurrs, &c. for my intended Journey--Returned before Evening, & of Saml Dennis bought a Pr of Sadle-Bags.--

[Ill.u.s.tration: Lone rider on horse]

_Monday Octob: 11._

By Six up--Busy in Preparing for my Journey--Agreed with Uncle for his Horse; I am to give him 25.--The Money to be paid in May next.

_Teusday October 12._

Rose early; very busy--Had my Boots altered & mended--Was measured for a Surtout-Coat--Drew up a Form to settle my Affairs before I leave Home--Afternoon Mrs Peck, Mrs Hoshel, Johnny Peck, Stephen Ranney, Miss Abby Peck call to see me & take a final Adieu for the present--The Thought of Leaving Home haunts me at Times!

_Wednesday Octob: 13._

Dismissed Study, & begin to take Leave of Relations & Friends!--

Dined at Mrs Brewsters, and at two went to Mr Danl Mash.e.l.ls; & from thence to Mr John Gibbon's, At all which Places I gave them my last _Farewel_--

_Thursday Octob: 14._

Rose early--Busy in making Preparations--Had my Horse shod, Did sundry Pieces of Writing--This Eveng Mr _Irwin_, & Smith returned from Cape-May.

_Friday Octob: 15._

Rose early--Did sundry Pieces of Writing--At twelve Mr Irwin gave us a Sermon, on Felix's trembling before Paul preaching--He preached without Notes; His Sermon was easy, well-digested, plain, yet pathetic, short, and in general much admired--

Mr Smith & Mr Hunter junr dined with me--In the Evening of this Day I had a severe Fit of the Fever & Ague--Violent Pains in my Head, & Back!