I cleaned up and got ready for the ball to be held that evening, and Miss Graham fixed Lucy's hair so as to make her more presentable.
A few hours before the ball, I was approached by Mrs. Wise and her daughter, Mrs. Wise held something in her gloved hand.
"Doctor? Doctor!" she called out to get my attention as she approached.
She handed me a small packet. It was two letters tied together in a little bundle, "These arrived for you on Monday."
I thanked her and she went on her way. I immediately recognized the handwriting... one letter was addressed to me, another to a young woman of my acquaintance employed by the estate of Mr. John Overton in Tennessee. I tucked her letter into my waistcoat pocket so as to deliver it to her at the Ball that night.
My letter from Mr. S. Merritt (click to enlarge)
I believe that perhaps Mr. Merritt had caught wind of my duel with Mr. Hazuga at Corydon over a matter of money owed me for service rendered. This may have motivated him to write the letter for fear he might get the same treatment.
Lucy listening from instructions from the dancemaster.
That night at the Ball, everyone was out in their finest. The music from the stage was excellent, and the refreshments were good and beautifully arranged. In my mourning state, it is hardly appropriate for me to attend dances or balls, but I was there in my capacity as Lucy's father, and only danced a few times, and ONLY with my Lucy (as she was in want of a partner on a few occasions).
Lucy in the line next to the rakish Mssr. LaFaux.
Misses Holmes and Shipsey attended by Mrs. Staggs.
You may spot Lucy and myself on the far right at about 2:30.
I occupied myself in the drinking of punch and gossip with Mrs, Staggs and her two young charges, Miss Holmes and Shipsey, whom Lucy had befriended.
When the night was over, Lucy had an invitation to spend the night with Mrs. Staggs and her charges, leaving me to return alone to Locust Grove, where I found several of the gentlemen drinking in the kitchen, including Mr. Cushing.
We talked until well after midnight, then decided that, due to the heat, we would sleep on the back porch of the house.
I gathered my blankets and pillow and made a spot that would be comfortable. I slept well there in my little make shift bed, not rising until the sun had begun to do so the next morning.
...to be continued.
HAVE, this instant rec'd TWO letters from the post rider, 'tis a busy day indeed! One folded rather small and seal'd in a lovely blue wax, I opened it, only to discover that it is written entirely in French! The hand is that of a woman, but the contents are a mystery... perhaps together, fair reader, we can solve this puzzle, if you please? You will find the letter below for you to peruse at your leisure.
ONDAY last, I was the recipient of a fine gift via the post from our old friend, the Bible Binder. It was his latest volume, "The Book of Common Prayer" dated 1734. In his letter to me, mr. Moore wrote that this gift was a token of our friendship.
A detail of the lovely work put into this volume.
One of my favorite sections thus far, the prayers to
The title page.
The book itself, thicker even I think than my New Testament.
HESE are reproductions of the offerings of Mrs. Phillips in her shop at Orange Court in London. She designed them from sheep or goat's gut, pickled, scented and delicately fashioned on glass moulds by the hands of the proprietress herself. I will be providing the standard "Baudruches fines", and for the more cautious customers, the "Superfine Double" which was made from two superimposed and gummed caecums, the blind end of a sheep's bigger gut. They are to be Five dollars a piece. Contact me straight away to place your order before they run out!
Handwritten letter to a mr. Jas. McVicker, Merchant in Larne.
With LOTS of signatures at the bottom.
A trade license for mr. McClintock from Virginia, 1763.
A tax receipt for mr. McClintock.
A letter from LONDON for mr. Benn at Fort Loudoun. I will be able to deliver it into his hands when I return to the fort in March next. Notice the English postmarks.
I do not know the contents of the letter, but it bears black wax upon its back which generally means bad news is contain'd within.
