Journal of a Young Lady of Virginia, 1782

Part 1

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JOURNAL OF A YOUNG LADY OF VIRGINIA

1782.

Printed and Published For the Benefit of the Lee Memorial Association of Richmond, By John Murphy and Company, No. 182 Baltimore Street, Baltimore. 1871.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by Emily V. Mason, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

PREFACE

The following pages contain a fragment of the Journal of a young lady of Virginia of the last century.

It seems to have been written by her while on a visit to her relatives, the Lees, Washingtons, and other families of Lower Virginia, mentioned in her Journal.

The friend for whom it was intended was Miss Polly Brent, also of Virginia.

The manuscript was found torn, and discolored by age, in an old desk at the country place in Maryland, to which Polly Brent carried it, upon her marriage into one of the old families of that State.

The Lees, of whom so much mention is made in the Journal--"Nancy," "Molly," "Hannah," and "Harriet"--were the daughters of Richard Henry Lee, of Chantilly. Molly married W. A. Washington, and Hannah was--at the time of the Journal--the wife of Corbin Washington. Their grandson, John A. Washington, was the last occupant of Mount Vernon.

Harriet married the son of Mrs. Turberville, the "old lady" spoken of in the manuscript.

Ludwell Lee, a son of Richard Henry Lee, married the "Flora" of this chronicle. She was a daughter of Philip Ludwell Lee, of Stratford, and sister of Matilda Lee, the first wife of "Colonel Henry Lee;" whose little boy is mentioned as so "fine" a "child." Colonel Henry Lee was none other than "Light-horse Harry;" the "little boy," his eldest son Henry, half-brother to General Robert E. Lee.

It is believed the publication of this Journal will be well received, at a period when everything relating to the family of General Lee is of peculiar interest. It presents, also, a curious picture of the life and manners of that day.

There will be found in it many errors, and some antiquities of orthography, which it has not been deemed advisable to correct. It is believed that the Journal will be more entertaining in its original state than it would be with the aid of any amendments that we might make. It is certainly the work of a very clever girl, and possesses all that freedom of style and charming simplicity which is so pleasing and so rare.

Had the writer anticipated any criticism more searching than that of her amiable Polly, her style and orthography would doubtless have been more correct, and her Journal quite as commonplace as most of those that find their way into print.

The proceeds of the sale of this little volume will be devoted to the "Lee Memorial Association of Richmond," which must further commend it to the favor of the public.

JANUARY, 1871.

JOURNAL

OF A

YOUNG LADY

OF VIRGINIA.

1782.

Sept. 16.

FROM LUCINDA TO MARCIA

THE WILDERNESS, September 16.

I hear you say, "The Wilderness! where in the world is that, Lucy?" It is the name of this place. I can't say I was much struck with the situation of the House; but they are as kind, good People as I ever saw.

Sept. 17.

Part 2

To-day is Sunday. Old Mrs. Gordon lives in sight of this [place]. One of her Daughters is just come--Lucy Gordon--very clever, though not a Beauty.

A Mr. Spotswood and his Lady are come to dine here. I must dress, of course.

They are gone.

Mrs. Spotswood, I think, is very Affable and agreeable, though not handsome. She has invited us to see her, and we shall go day after to-morrow.

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

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 Opinion of the world in these matters. They laugh, and tell me, while I am mopeing at home, other girls will be enjoying themselves at races and balls; but I never will, I am determined, go to one, unless I have an inclination. I would not have you think from this that I pay no regard to the opinion of the World; far from it: next to that of a good conscience, the opinion of the world is to be regarded. Always pay due regard to that.

Sept. 20.

I have spent this morning in reading Lady Julia Mandeville, and was much affected. Indeed, I think I never cried more in my life reading a Novel: the stile is beautiful, but the tale is horrid. I reckon you have read it. Some one just comes to tell us A Mr. Masenbird and Mr. Spotswood is come. We must go down, but I am affraid both Sister's and my eyes will betray us. Adieu. I will describe the Gentlemen on my return.

Mr. Spotswood is the Gentleman we visited the other day. I think him handsome. Mr. Masenbird is an Englishman, and single, that has settled in this part of the World. I had heard he was a very uncouth creature, but he is quite the reverse--very polite, not handsome.

Interrupted again. They are come to tell me a Mr. Grimes and his Lady are come to wait on us. I must throw aside my pen, and go down to be introduced. Adieu. I will write more when we retire to dress.

Mrs. Grimes is very handsome, though appears to be a little proud. Sister is almost drest; I shall have but little time to smart myself. Adieu. My Great-Coat shall be my dress to day.

Sept. 21.

To-day we return Mrs. Grimes's visit. I am going to wear my straw dress and my large hat; Sister wears A blue habit, with a white Sattin scirt. Adieu. I have but little time to dress.

I am returned, and was delighted with my visit. They live in a very genteel stile. She is one of the cleverest Women I have seen for some time. I saw there Miss Betty Lee, and A Miss Judy Roberson; the first is homely, though right agreeable--the latter is, I think, rather clever. You can't conceive anything more nice or genteel than every[thing] was. I never was more pleased in my life. I am summon'd to supper. Adieu, my Polly; may every blessing attend you! Lucy Gordon is here, and has been ever since I came. I like her more and more every day.

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