University of Virginia Library

Nov. 8-14

A very warm day. Go in the morning to St. James [Episcopal Church] and hear Mr. [Joshua] Peterkin ....After dinner go to the Catholic Church but get in just as the congregation was turning their faces homeward. At night go to St. Pauls [Episcopal Church] and hear Mr. Minnegerode on "visiting sins." What a fine sermon it was and not one in his congregation but what felt a home thrust. Gentlemen visitors all day. A bad arrangement for Sunday. Monday was spent in returning calls. Have a pleasant visit on Gambles Hill made to Mrs. George Kennon. She is very chatty. While there her brothers and their friend Mr. B. B. made their appearance. When we left they would not see us off although they knew it was disagreeable for the wind blew a perfect gale; very rude in them, I thought. Call to see Miss Hartley. What a sour old maid she is. A large party of us take a ride in the omnibus to Rocketts [probably Rocketts landing.] On the way cousin Ann points out everything to be seen of any note; among the most noted is the Old State House on Main Street. Its glory has now departed and it would never be noticed by the side of the handsome structures all around it and its associations with the past alone gives it any interest. "In days long gone" it was honored by the visits of Washington, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison, Henry and many other distinguished personages. Go to the glass blowers and see such beautiful specimens of birds, ships and flowers of glass. Walk out to Hollywood [Cemetery] on Wednesday evening. What a lovely spot it is! Death is robbed of many of its terrors when we see our last resting place looking so calm and beautiful. Some of the monuments were very handsome; too fine in my opinion. It seems a kind of mockery for can "flattery soothe the dull cold ear of death?"

Go one evening to see Signor Blitz and his wonderful Canary Birds. The Signor did not afford me much amusement with his slight of hand tricks, but the birds and rabbits were something very wonderful even in this age of wonders. Walk out one evening to Gambles Hill to see the view which is very fine. Call at the Armory and see the big guns; also have a peep at Pratt's Castle. What a little gem it is! Walking back that evening by the moon's pale light I could not help in imagination peopling the castle with some of those stern old warriors of old clad in their suits of mail [sic]; of course some of the guns I had seem at The Armory guarded the battlements and in my fancy made it a complete Castle Dangerous. There was a "ladye fair and her squire of low degree" and all such stuff and nonsense as waking dreams are made of. Thursday before we leave call on Mrs. Wirt Robinson and Aunt Sophy. Find the former out. Have a nice long chat with Aunt Sophy about home and the darkies. Go down town to buy goodies for the little ones at home. Start back with six big bundles; are relieved by Mr. Willie Empie. He spends the rest of the day at cousin Sops. Sadie [Macmurdo] is also there. After night many of the other girls are also with us so we have a merry time dancing, talking, etc. So it is after 11 o'clock before the goodbyes are said. Friday very early Sue, Johnny, and I are off for "home, sweet home." Cousins Ann and Sop go with us as far as Ashland where we get a nice hot breakfast and are off again. Find the old folks at home well and right glad to see us. The Lodge has been nicely fixed up during our absence and the mice have taken possession. Ellen is charmed with her doll baby and the other children are much pleased with their Richmond presents. Hear of the death of William Page and Elisa Nelson. Truly as a flower of the field, we flourish then the wind passeth over it and it is gone. Mary Lewis is at home.