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Aug. 30-Sept. 5
No church. Read Mrs. Scott's little book on Africa. Have William Terril to dine with us. Don't think age improves him. A visit from Uncle Tom; he discourses about the issues. Miss Walker is quite entertaining with her stories of bygone times. Some visiting this week. Go down to the Creek by especial invitation to meet cousin Jimmy on Monday evening. The next day Sept. lst was spent on Peter's Mountain. Oh for the pen of a ready writer to do justice to [the] glorious prospect that spread itself before my eyes but as I have none of that spark divine in my commonplace nature, do what I would, I could not inspire any muse to help in [writing] the thoughts that filled my heart. Truly there is beauty all around our paths. In the dim distance were pointed out to us two peaks clothed in their azure blue and said to be the Peaks of Afton but I have my doubts as to whether they were the bona fide Afton Peaks. Our party consisted of Sue, Mary Lewis, Nanny and Julia Lewis, my niece Lizzie [Minor], Cousin Jimmy [from Missouri], Henry and Nicky Lewis and myself. We got back to the Creek about 5 o'clock in the evening and after getting some cold dinner go up to Music Hall to tea. Spend a day at cousin Fanny Meriwethers and am introduced to the two Miss Pegrams. At Clover Fields for another night. Quite an exhibition of babies. Cousin Jimmy accompanies us in our processionals. On getting back to Uncle Bobs Thursday morning we are much surprised to find the New York party returned. They got back the day before. Aunt Sally is much delighted with all she saw. She brings Sue and I a nice present and Miss Vallant does not forget us. We have lots to talk to Miss Vallant about. An invitation to tea at Uncle Bob's on Thursday night. I conclude to spend the night. Next evening have the Castalians to tea with us at Music Hall. Mr. Dabney spends the evening with us. Cousin Jimmy commits a great indiscretion-at least it seemed so to us Virginians. He; however, was repentent and we forgiving as we are first cousins. I think we Virginians are the oddest people with such notions of propriety. A letter from home. Ma is much better
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