Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian: A Plantation Tutor of the Old Dominion, 1773-1774.

Monday 25.

Harry & Bob go shrugging up their backs with their Coats Buttoned about the School, first one then the other complaining of the cold – The Girls too, in their white Frocks, huddle close together for the benefit of warming each other, & look like a Flock of Lambs in the Spring – I wish they were half as innocent – I myself, after having added a Waistcoat, am notwithstanding disagreeably Cold – The air is clear, the wind strong from the West – I proceeded in my Latin Exegesis, & shall, I hope, shortly be through it – I gave to Nancy at her Request, my Scetch of Nominy-Hall– I propose to take off one for myself —

Teusday 26.

The morning cool enough – Order me a Horse & Chair, says the Colonel after Breakfast, for I must go to Westmoreland-Court – I piddled at my Exegessis, but (as they say here in Virginia) I did a mighty little – Priscilla after School invited me to ride with her, but I had preengaged to go on Board the Harriot; She now lies in Nominy about half a mile Distant —Bob conducted me on board, She is a neat vessel, carries 1400 Bushels —Bob strip'd & swam round us half an hour – Coffee; Well, Sir, says the Colonel at las I can treat you with several Letters – My heart jumped – A fine Repast indeed, valuable because exceeding rare! But shall I hear any thing from —Laura? – On this he gave me Letters from,

1. Rev'd Enoch Green, Dated Feb: 1774.

2. From Laura, Dated Feb: 13th 1774.

3. From John Peck Dated Nassau Hall July 2. 1774

4. From John Peck dated Feb: 25th 1774.

5. From the Revd: Andrew Hunter, dated Cohansie June 24th. 1774.

6. From Andrew Hunter Junr: Dated June 24th. 1774. Cohansie.

7. From Mr James Ewing, Dated Bridge-town July 7th. 1774.

For these Letters I paid – 12s 5d – Pennsylvania Currency, & I am very proud of my Bargain —

Mr Peck informs me that he is to succeed me in this place – Mr Hunter & Mr Ewing inform me of the Death of Uncle Ephraim Seeley! That he died of a Diabetes which has long troubled him! He has left no Doubt a mourning Family – Mr Hunter writes me word that Andrew was licensed to preach about the middle of June. Laura says – They all express with Concern the great Commotions which at present exist through the Colonies.

Wednesday 27.

Somehow I have taken a bad Cold, & am low-spirited to Day – The Colonel was all the forenoon down at the Harriot in the Sun, so that when we went in to dine he seem'd fatigued & eat nothing – We have an Addition to our numerous Family, one Mr – I forget his name, he is a Cooper, tho', & an Irishman, & seems to be pretty smart; I sat the Evening with him in Mr Randolphs Room.

Thursday 28.

Evening, after the Sun had gone, with Priss I walked in the Garden. we gathered some few Figs which are just growing ripe – My Leisure to Day I spent in finishing off my Latin Exercises.

Fryday 29.

I feell wholly relieved of my cold – I wrote & sent to the Post a Letter to Mr John Peck, to remind & hurry him in his way here – O! it is very hot – The wind itself seems to be heated! We have a fine Room, & sufficiently open; & I dress in a thin Waist-Coat, & a loose, light linen Gown; The Boys, Harry & Bob have nothing on, in School, but their shirts & Breeches; and I laugh'd cordially to see the contrivance of Fanny, the loveliest of them all, to grow cool, She sat on a low bench, & put her Hand in her pocket, & seem'd exceeding diligent in looking for something – But before She took out her hand She had off both her Stockings, & left them both in her pocket! – Mrs Carter in particular seems to be overcome with the extreme Heat & looks like a fainting, expiring yet lovely Creature! – At seven I rode out to the Corn-field, the Sun was almost down, & was hid behind a large white thick Cloud where it Thunders – The Corn is roll'd up with the heat & Drouth! Yet it is strange there is no Musquetoes – I have seen one & heard another, & this is the whole compliment I have either seen, heard or felt since I have been in Virginia– While we were drinking Coffee the Lightning, as it began to grow Dark, began to stream, it was at some Distance, but was incessant, bright, & awful – The Colonel, however sat, & with unmoved Composure observed it;

Saturday 30.

The weather is something cooler & bearable this Morning —Frank Christien one of Mr Lowe's Scholars came to visit Harry & Bob, so that I discharged them about eleven, & retired to my Chamber to writing – I sent Mr George Lee a note this morning begging him to excuse Ben & I from attending his Fish-Feast this Day – Captain Dobby dined with us; he is a Man of much Spirit and Humour: A great Mimick – He acquainted us that at Hobbs's-Hole this Day is a Boat-Race on the River Rappahannock Each Boat is to have 7 Oars: to row 2 Mile out & 2 Miles in round a Boat lying at Anchor – The Bett 50£ – And that in the Evening there is a great Ball to be given – I believe both the Rowers & dancers, as well Ladies as Gentlemen will perspire freely – Or in plain English they will soak in Sweat! The Captain invited us on Board his Ship next Teusday to Dine with him & wish them a pleasant Passage as the Ship is to Sail the day following – If the Weather is not too burning hot I shall go provided the Others go likewise. Ben towards evening rode to Colonel Tayloe's —

[Letter of Philip V. Fithian to George Lee]

To Mr. George Lee.

July 30th. 1774.

Sir.

With my compliments I am to inform you that Ben: -Carter is, of necessity, to go this day into Richmond; and as my company alone will not be equal to the trouble you must be at I give you this timely notice that you may avoid it,

I am, with my thanks for your

Invitation, Sir,

Your most humble Servt:

P. V. Fithian.

[JOURNAL]

Sunday 31.

Daddy Gumby saw me walking – I had just got up, it was early I had only a Gown thrown round me – He walked towards me – Well Master you never call for no Eggs. I can now give you a Water Melon– No, Thomas, with your Wife & family enjoy these things. I am well provided for – Well, Master, I promised you Eggs, for writing you will think I never designed to pay you – God yonder in Heaven Master will burn Lyars with Fire & Brimstone! – I speak Truth I will not deceive you Men are wicked, Master; look see the Grass is burnt: God burns it to punish us! Is the ground dry, Dadda. O! all dry, all burnt – Pray, Pray, Master, do you go to Church? – No No Dadda it is too hot – Too hot, Good God, too hot! I shall affront you, Master – Too hot to serve the Lord! Why I that am so old & worn out go on Foot. – I felt a little non plus'd, I confess, but walk'd to my Room & went none to Church – I expected that we should have had prayrs at home, but it was not mentioned – Fanny towards Evening brought me half a Water-Melon– I accepted & thank'd the little pretty Slut, she seems so artless, & delicate I esteem her exceedingly – I walked out about Sun-set, when it is a little cool, along the River Nominy —

Monday August 1st 1774.

The Colonel rode to Richmond Court – The morning very hot – A Cloud appeared about two o Clock as we were going to Dinner in the West where it thundered – Mrs. Carter kept her Chamber – There is almost no Rain – I looked to day over Dr Burney's present State of Musick in Germany – I think it more entertaining than realy useful – Ben to Day begun the Eneid– Poor Mr Randolph seems to be sickening with the Ague & Fever! – Evening the Colonel returned & gave us Captain Dobby's repeated Invitation.

Teusday 2.

Ben & I drest ourselves pretty early with an intention to Breakfast with Colonel Tayloe, but the Servant who went with us was so slow in preparing that we breakfasted before we set out – We arrived at Colonel Tayloe's however by half after nine – The young Ladies we found in the Hall playing the Harpsichord – The morning cool with a fine Breeze from the North for I forgot to mention that about Midnight last Night a violent Gust of Blackness, Rain, & Thunder came on & gave us present Relief from the scorching Sun; there was no Dust & the riding was pleasant – The Colonel, his Lady, Miss Polly, Miss Kitty, Miss Sally, rode in their Great Coach to the Ferry – Distance about 4 miles – Ben & I on Horseback – From Colonel Tayloe's to this Ferry opposite to Hobbs's Hole the Land is levil & extremely good; Corn here looks very rank is set thick with Ears, & they are high & large, three commonly on a Stalk – Here I saw about an Acre & a half of Flax, which the people were just pulling, exceedingly out of Season – This is the only Flax I have seen since I have been in the Colony; I am told they raise much in the upper Counties – Here too is a great Marsh covered with thick high Reed – The Face of this part of the Country looks fertile, but I apprehend it is far from being healthy – We came to the Bank of the Rappahannock; it is here about 2 Miles over the Shipping on the other Side near the Town lying at Anchor look fine; no large Vessels can haul along the Wharves on account of shoal Water – There were six Ships riding in the Harbour, and a number of Schooners & smaller Vessels – Indeed, says Mrs Tayloe, Captain Dobby has forgot us. here we have been waiting for a full half hour, shall we take the Ferry Boat Colonel & cross over, & not stand any longer in the burning heat? – I was pleased not a little with the proposal tho' at the same time, I laughed with myself at Mrs Tayloe's truely Womanish impatience! – At last they are coming – The long-Boat came, well furnished with a large Awning, and rowed with four Oars – We entered the Ship about half after twelve where we were received by Captain Dobby, with every possible token of welcome – Since I have been in Virginia, my inclination, & my fixed purpose before I left home, both of which were very much assisted by a strict Attention to the instructing my little Charge, these have kept me pretty constantly, almost wholly, indeed out of that kind of Company where dissipation & Pleasure have no restraint – This entertainment of Captain Dobby's, elegant indeed, & exceeding agreeable, I consider as one among a prodigeous throng of more powerful similar Causes, of the fevers & other Disorders which are common in this Colony, & generally attributed to the Climate which is thought to be noxious & unhealthy. The Weather here indeed is remarkably variable But taking away & changing the usual & necessary Time of Rest; Violent Exercise of the Body & Spirits; with drinking great quantities of variety of Liquors, these bring on Virginia Fevers – The Beaufort is a Stately Ship; Captain Dobby had an Awning from the Stern over the Quarter quite to the Mizen-Mast, which made great Room, kept off the Sun, & yet was open on each Side to give the Air a free passage. At three we had on Board about 45 Ladies, and about 60 Gentlemen besides the Ships Crew, & Waiters Servants &c. We were not throng'd at all, & dined all at twice – I was not able to inform myself, because it seemed improper to interrupt the General pleasure, with making circumstantial inquiries concerning Individuals, & saying pray, Sir, what young Lady is that yonder in a Lute-String Gown? She seems genteel; where does her Father live? Is she a Girl of Family & Breeding? Has She any Suitors? This when one could not be out of the Inspection of the Company, would have seemed impertinent so that I did not much enlarge my Acquaintance with the Ladies, which commonly seems pleasing & desirable to me; But I took Notice of Several, & shall record my remarks – The Boats were to Start, to use the Language of Jockeys, immediately after Dinner; A Boat was anchored down the River at a Mile Distance – Captain Dobby and Captain Benson steer'd the Boats in the Race – Captain Benson had 5 Oarsmen; Captain Dobby had 6 – It was Ebb-Tide– The Betts were small – & chiefly given to the Negroes who rowed – Captain Benson won the first Race – Captain Purchace offered to bett ten Dollars that with the same Boat & same Hands, only having Liberty to put a small Weight in the Stern, he would beat Captain Benson– He was taken, & came out best only half the Boats Length – About Sunset we left the Ship, & went all to Hobbs's Hole, where a Ball was agreed on – This is a small Village, with only a few Stores, & Shops, it is on a beautiful River, & has I am told commonly six, eight, & ten Ships loading before it the Crews of which enliven the Town – Mr Ritche^[192] Merchant; he has great influence over the People, he has great Wealth; which in these scurvy Times gives Sanction to Power; nay it seems to give countenance to Tyranny – The Ball Room – 25 Ladies – 40 Gentlemen – The Room very long, well-finished, airy & cool, & well-seated – two Fidlers – Mr Ritche stalk'd about the Room – He was Director, & appointed a sturdy two fisted Gentleman to open the Ball with Mrs Tayloe– He danced midling tho'. There were about six or eight married Ladies – At last Miss Ritche danced a Minuet with – She is a tall slim Girl, dances nimble & graceful – She was Ben Carters partner – Poor Girl She has had the third Day Ague for twelve months past, and has it yet She appeared in a blue Silk Gown; her Hair was done up neat, without powder, it is very Black & Set her to good Advantage – Soon after he danced Miss Dolly Edmundson^[193]– A Short pretty Stump of a Girl; She danced well, sung a Song with great applause, seemed to enter into the Spirit of the entertainment – A young Spark seemed to be fond of her; She seemed to be fond of him; they were both fond, & the Company saw it – He was Mr Ritche's Clerk, a limber, well dress'd, pretty-handsome Chap he was – The insinuating Rogue waited on her home, in close Hugg too, the Moment he left the Ball-Room – Miss Aphia Fantleroy danced next, the best Dancer of the whole absolutely – And the finest Girl – Her head tho' was powdered white as Snow, & crap'd in the newest Taste – She is the Copy of the goddess of Modesty – Very handsome; she seemed to be loved by all her Acquaintances, and admir'd by every Stranger, Miss McCall– Miss Ford– Miss Brokenberry^[194]—Ball– Two of the younger Miss Ritche's– Miss Wade– They danced till half after two. Captain Ritche invited Ben & I, Colonel Tayloe & his Family with him – We got to Bed by three after a Day spent in constant Violent exercise, & drinking an unusual Quantity of Liquor; for my part with Fatigue, Heat, Liquor, Noise, Want of sleep, And the exertion of my Animal spirits, I was almost brought to believe several times that I felt a Fever fixing upon me, attended with every Symptom of the Fall Disorders —

Wednesday 3.

We were call'd up to Breakfast at half after eight – We all look'd dull, pale, & haggard! – From our Beds to Breakfast – Here we must drink hot Coffee on our parching Stomachs! – But the Company was enlivening – Three of the Miss Tayloe's – Three Miss Ritche's – And Miss Fantleroy– This loveliest of all the Ring is yet far below —Laura If they were set together for the choice of an utter Stranger; he would not reflect, but in a moment spring to the Girl that I mean to regard – After Breakfast the young Ladies favoured us with several Tunes on the Harpsichord – They all play & most of them in good Taste – at eleven we went down to the River; the Ships Long Boat was waiting, Captain Purchace of the Beaufort helped us on Board – I gave the Boatswain a Pisterene for his trouble – Half a Bit for the Pasture of my Horse – We rode to Colonel Tayloe's – The Ladies all retired for a nap before Dinner. We sat in the Hall, & conversed with the Colonel a sensible, agreeable Sociable person – Miss Garrot is Governess of the Young Ladies; She too is chatty, satirical, neat, civil, had many merry remarks at Dinner, we staid til about six took our Leave, & rode Home – Found all well; gave an account of ourselves, of our entertainment, & of our Company to Mr & Mrs Carter at Coffee – & retired soon to Bed —

Thursday 4.

I made out to get up by seven – A little fatigued tho' – Many are sickening with a Fever, & great numbers have the Ague – Protect me if it be thy will, God of my Life, & give me a Heart to praise thy name for all my Favours – Dined with us the Inspector – I walked through the Garden, several times banishing by solitude, as much as possible reflection on several Days past. —

Fryday 5.

I have no Stockings; & I swear I wont go to the Dancing School This was the first I heard of Bob– Are Bob & Nancy gone to Mr Turberville's said the Colonel at Breakfast —Nancy is gone Sir, Bob stays at Home he has no shoes! poh! What nonsense! says the Colonel – Call Bob, & Call the Clerk – He sent Mr Randolph to the Store for a pair of Shoes, Bob he took to his Study and flogg'd severely for not having given seasonable Notice, & sent him instantly to the Dance —

Saturday 6.

Last night, & this morning haizy mistty the Wind South East threatens a Rain – Transcribing my pieces, yesterday and to Day – I had a strong invitation to Dr Thompsons Fish-Feast, but the Rainy Weather hindred; I spent the Day in Quiet in my Chamber writing – Dadda Gumbey sent me a small Water-Melon.

Sunday 7.

I set out for Church – It was cloudy, it Thundered in the West: But I rode on Bob was with me – We arrived at the Church & had our Saddles put into a Chariot – When a violent Gust came on – We were all in the Church; many Ladies were present – The Thunder was violent! Many discovered great Terror – Neither the Parson, nor Clerk attended – There we sat in Silence til the Storm was over, when each sallied out & splashed homewards – Mr & Mrs Carter were to have gone by Water – They had set off But saw the Cloud befor they had rowed far, & wisely returned – Towards Evening Miss Betsy Carter, Miss Polly Carter of Richmond, & Miss Turberville came over to see our Girls. Miss Betsy plays the Harpsichord extremely well, better I think than any young Lady I have seen in Virginia.

Monday 8.

All once more in School – Dined with us George Lee & Mr Grubb– They spent the afternoon at the great House – After Coffee Lee rode Home – Mr Grubb staid with us all night – Dennis came into our Room to bring us a Bowl of Punch; Grubb shut the Door, and accused him of having been caught with Bett, the Dairy Girl, in the Stable last Saturday Night – Dennis seem'd in great distress, he denied the Fact tho' with great steadiness – Nelson our Boy came in with a candle – Dennis here, says Grubb to Nelson, has been accusing you, Sir, of several crimes; he says you gave him half a Bitt last Saturday Night, to stand at the Stable-Door while he with Bett – Nelson star'd – Grubb opened a huge Molls Atlas that lay in the Room; & read off their Case & indictment – The Boys seem'd crazy – We dismiss'd them when all the novelty was over, but they darted like Indians so soon as they were at liberty – We sat up til eleven – Ben drank for his Toast, Miss Julia Stockton of New Jersey; Grubb Miss Betsy Carter – I with pleasure the Rival of them all —

Teusday 9.

I propose to visit Dr Jones to Day say's Mrs Carter at Breakfast – See & have the Carriage ready for me by ten o-Clock Benny– She took with her Priss, and Nancy– We have a thin School – Mr Grubb dined with us – Staid til evening, when with Ben he rode home – I finished & glad enough I feel my Latin Thesis – The Weather is now very tolerable, we had to Day a fine Shower about twelve —

Wednesday 10.

All in School – Miss Fanny very much troubled with the festered Bites of Seed Ticks– Mr Stadley, whom I always see with Pleasure came towards evening – After School he gave the Girls a lesson each – About Six we have a fine Shower, with Thunder and Lightning, especiall in the evening the Lightning Sharp —

Thursday 11.

Dined with us two Gentlemen Names unknown – They informed us that a Flux is in a neighbouring County, of which many die! – The Ague too is growing frequent Fanny has a fit this afternoon – I begin to be a little alarmed at the early approach of these Disorders, which I fear will be distressful here! – Through the kindness of heaven I am yet in perfect health – Mr Carter & Mr Stadley performed both on the harmonica I am charm'd with the Sounds! The melody is swelling, grave & grand! The weather vastly hot —

Fryday 12.

Very hot —Sam our Barber is Seized with the Ague & Fever – Fanny is confined to her chamber with a Fever occasioned, I am apt to believe, by the inflamed bites of the Seed-Ticks, which cover her like a distinct Small Pox. – Dined with us by particular invitation, Mr Turberville's Family, and Miss Betsy Lee– The conversation at Table was on the Disorders which seem growing to be epidemical, Fevers, Agues, Fluxes– A gloomy train! – Fearing these, I keep myself at home; make my diet sparing & uniform; Use constant moderate Exercise; Drink as little Wine as possible, & when I must drink Toasts I never fail to dilute them with well with Water; I omit almost every kind of fruit; & make my time for Sleeping from Night to Night the same, Viz to Bed by ten, & rise by six invariably – I never lived so much by Rule as I do this Summer; & I am taught the Art, & have a Steady Example in Mr & Mrs Carter– Mr Stadley played on the Harpsichord & harmonica several Church Tunes & Anthems, with great propriety —

[Letter of Philip V. Fithian to John Peck]

Nomini Hall August 12th 1774.

"Si bene moneo[Maneo], attende." —

Sir.

I never reflect, but with secret, and peculiar pleasure, on the time when I studied in Deerfield with you, & several other pleasant Companions, under our common, & much respected instructor, Mr Green. And I acknowledge now, with a thankful heart, the many favours, which I received from your family while I was a member of it. This sense of obligation to your Family. And personal friendship for you, have excited me, when it was in my power, to introduce you to the business which I now occupy; into a family, where, if you be prudent and industrious, I am confident you will speedily acquire to yourself both Honour & Profit – But inasmuch as you are wholly a stranger to this Province; & have had little or no Experience in the business which you ar[e] shortly to enter upon; & lest, from common Fame, which is often erroneous, you shall have entertained other notions of the manners of the People here, & of your business as a Tutor, than you will find, when you come, to be actually true; I hope you will not think it vain or untimely, if I venture to lay before you some Rules for your direction which I have collected from a year's observation. I shall class what I have to say in the following order. First. I shall attempt to give you some direction for the plan of your Conduct among your neighbours, & the People in General here, so long as you sustain the character of a Tutor. Then I shall advise you concerning the rules which I think will be most profitable & convenient in the management of your little lovely charge, the School. Last of all. I shall mention several Rules for your personal conduct. I choose to proceed in the order I have laid down, as well that you may more fully & speedily recieve my mind, as that you may also the more readily select out and apply what you shall find to be most necessary.

First. When you have thought of removing, for a Time, out of the Colony in which you was born, & in which you have hitherto constantly resided, I make no doubt but you have at the same time expected to find a very considerable alteration of manners, among your new acquaintances, & some peculiarities toto Caelo different, from any you have before been accustomed to. Such a thought is natural; And you will if you come into Virginia, in much shorter time than a year, be convinced that it is just. In New-Jersey Government throughout, but especially in the Counties where you have any personal acquaintance, Gentlemen in the first rank of Dignity & Quality, of the Council, general Assembly, inferior Magistrates, Clergy-men, or independent Gentlemen, without the smallest fear of bringing any manner of reproach either on their office, or their high-born, long recorded Families associate freely & commonly with Farmers & Mechanicks tho' they be poor & industrious. Ingenuity & industry are the Strongest, & most approved recommendations to a Man in that Colony. The manners of the People seem to me, (probably I am overborn by the force of prejudice in favour of my native Soil), to bear some considerable resemblance of the manners in the ancient Spartan Common-Wealth – The Valour of its Inhabitants – was the best, & only security of that State against the enemy; & the wise laws of its renowned Legislator were the powerful Cement which kept them firm & invincible – In our Government, the laborious part of Men, who are commonly ranked in the midling or lower Class, are accounted the strenth & Honour of the Colony; & the encouragement they receive from Gentlemen in the highest stations is the spring of Industry, next to their private advantage. The Levil which is admired in New-Jersey Government, among People of every rank, arises, no doubt, from the very great division of the lands in that Province, & consequently from the near approach to an equality of Wealth amongst the Inhabitants, since it is not famous for trade. You know very well that the Lands in a small township are divided, & then again subdivided into two & three Hundred Separate, proper, creditable estates; for example Deerfield & Fairfield two Townships, or Precincts, in which you & I are tolerably well acquainted, in the former of which, are the Seats of two Judges of the Sessions; & in the latter resides one of the representatives in General Assembly for the County; But if 16000£ would purchase the whole landed estates of these three Gentlemen, who are supposed to be the most wealthy in the County, if we rate their Land at the Low Consideration of 4£ per acre, with all conveniences, each would have 4000 Acres. Now you may suppose how small a quantity many must have when two or three hundred Landholders reside in each of these small Precincts; Hence we see Gentlemen, when they are not actually engaged in the publick Service, on their farms, setting a laborious example to their Domesticks, & on the other hand we see labourers at the Tables & in the Parlours of their Betters enjoying the advantage, & honour of their society and Conversation – I do not call it an objection to this, that some few, who have no substance but work like Slaves as nec[e]ssity drives them for a few Months in the year; with the price of this Labour they visit Philadelphia; & having there acquired a fashionable Coat, & a Stock of Impudence, return home to spend the remainder of the year, in idleness & disgrace! – But you will find the tables turned the moment you enter this Colony. The very Slaves, in some families here, could not be bought under 30000£. Such amazing property, no matter how deep it is involved, blows up the owners to an imagination, which is visible in all, but in various degrees according to their respective virtue, that they are exalted as much above other Men in worth & precedency, as blind stupid fortune has made a difference in their property; excepting always the value they put upon posts of honour, & mental acquirements – For example, if you should travel through this Colony, with a well-confirmed testimonial of your having finished with Credit a Course of studies at Nassau-Hall; you would be rated, without any more questions asked, either about your family, your Estate, your business, or your intention, at 10,000£; and you might come, & go, & converse, & keep company, according to this value; & you would be dispised & slighted if yo[u] rated yourself a farthing cheaper. But when I am giving directions to you, from an expectation that you will be shortly a resident here, altho you have gone through a College Course, & for any thing I know, have never written a Libel, nor stolen a Turkey, yet I think myself in duty bound to advise you, lest some powdered Coxcomb should reproach your education, to cheapen your price about 5000£; because any young Gentleman travelling through the Colony, as I said before, is presum'd to be acquainted with Dancing, Boxing, playing the Fiddle, & Small-Sword, & Cards. Several of which you was only entering upon, when I left New-Jersey; towards the Close of last year; and if you stay here any time your Barrenness in these must be detected. I will however allow, that in the Family where you act as tutor you place yourself, according to your most accute Calculation, at a perfect equidistance between the father & the eldest Son. Or let the same distance be observed in every article of behaviour between you & the eldest Son, as there ought to be, by the latest & most approved precepts of Moral-Philosophy, between the eldest Son, & his next youngest Brother. But whenever you go from Home, where you are to act on your own footing, either to a Ball; or to a Horse-Race, or to a Cock-Fight, or to a Fish-Feast, I advise that you rate yourself very low, & if you bett at all, remember that 10,000£ in Reputation & learning does not amount to a handfull of Shillings in ready Cash! – One considerable advantage which you promise yourself by coming to this Colony is to extend the Limits of your acquaintance; this is laudable, & if you have enough of prudence & firmness, it will be of singular advantage – Yet attempt slowly & with the most Jealous Circumspection – If you fix your familiarity wrong in a single instance, you are in danger of total, if not immediate ruin – You come here, it is true, with an intention to teach, but you ought likewise to have an inclination to learn. At any rate I solemnly injoin it upon you, that you never suffer the spirit of a Pedagogue to attend you without the walls of your little Seminary. In all promiscuous Company be as silent & attentive as Decency will allow you, for you have nothing to communicate, which such company, will hear with pleasure, but you may learn many things which, in after life, will do you singular service. – In regard to Company in general, if you think it worth the while to attend to my example, I can easily instruct you in the manner of my Conduct in this respect. I commonly attend Church; and often, at the request of Gentlemen, after Service according to the custom, dine abroad on Sunday – I seldom fail, when invited by Mr or Mrs Carter, of going out with them; but I make it a point, however strongly solicited to the contrary, to return home with them too – Except in one of these cases, I seldom go out, but with a valuable variety of books I live according to Horace's direction, & love "Secretum Iter et fallentis Semita Vitae." Close retirement and a life by Stealth. The last direction I shall venture to mention on this head, is, that you abstain totally from Women. What I would have you understand from this, is, that by a train of faultless conduct in the whole course of your tutorship, you make every Lady within the Sphere of your acquaintance, who is between twelve & forty years of age, so much pleased with your person, & so fully satisfied as to your abilities in the capacity of – a Teacher; & in short, fully convinced, that, from a principle of Duty, you have, both by night & by day endeavoured to acquit yourself honourably, in the Character of a Tutor; & that, on this account, you have their free & hearty consent, without making any manner of demand upon you, either to stay longer in the County with them, which they would choose, or whenever your business calls you away, that they may not have it in their Power either by charms or Justice to detain you, & when you must leave them, have their sincere wishes & constant prayrs for Length of days & much prosperity, I therefore beg that you will attend litterally to this advice, & abstain totally from Women. But this last precaution, which I have been at some pains to dress in the plainest language, I am much inclined to think, will be wholly useless in regard to you, notwithstanding it is founded in that Honour and Equity which is on all hands allow'd to be due from one Sex to the other, & to many of your age, & Standing no doubt would be entirely salutary. Because the necessary connections which you have had with the Fair, from your Puberty upwards have been so unfavourable & ill-fated, that instead of apprehending any danger on the score of over fondness, I am fearful your rancour has grown so inveterate at length, as, not only to preserve you, in thought & practice, pure of every Fleshly foible, but has carried you so far towards the other extream, as that you will need many persuasions, when your circumstances shall seem to require it, to bring you back to a rational & manly habit of thinking & acting with respect to the Sex; which yet, after all (& eternally will continue to be, tho it is so much courted & whined after) if considered in the fullest manner, & set forth to the best advantage, never rises above its divine definition viz "The weaker Vessel." But without detaining you any longer with a matter merely depending on accident or Circumstance I pass on to the second General Head; in which "Ludis atque Jocis amotis [amatis]" I shall offer to your consideration & recommend for your practice several Rules concerning the managment of the School.