she would not wait till I came from writing school. Miss Atwood, the last of our boarders, went off the same day. Miss Griswold & Miss Meriam, having departed some time agone, I forget whether I mention'd the recept of Nancy's present. I am oblig'd to her for it. The Dolphin is still whole. And like to remain so.

27th

Dec) This day, the extremity of the cold 27th is somewhat abated. I keept Christmas at home this year, & did a very good day's work, aunt says so. How notable I have been this week I shall tell you by & by. I spent the most part of Tuesday evening with my favorite, Miss Soley, & as she is confined by a cold & the weather still so severe that I cannot git farther, I am to visit her again before I sleep, & consult with her (or rather she with me) upon a perticular matter, which you shall know in its place. How strangely industrious I have been this week, I will inform you with my own hand - at present, I am so dilligent, that I am oblig'd to use the hand & pen of my old friend, who being near by is better than a brother far off. I dont forgit dear little

John

John Henry so pray mamma, dont mistake

me.

Dec' Last evening a little after 5 o'clock 28th I finished my shift. I spent the evening at Mr. Soley's. I began my shift at 12 o'clock last monday, have read my bible every day this week & wrote every day save

one.

Dec' 30th

}

I return'd to my sewing school after a weeks absence, I have also paid my compliments to Master Holbrook.23 Yesterday between meetings my aunt was call'd to Mrs. Water's 13 & about 8 in the evening Dr. Lloyd 24 brought little master to town (N. B. As a memorandum for myself. My aunt stuck a white sattan pincushin 25 for Mrs Waters.1 13 On one side, is a planthorn with flowers, on the reverse, just under the border are, on one side stuck these words, Josiah Waters, then follows on the end, Dec 1771, on the next side & end are the words, Welcome little Stranger.) Unkle has just come in & bro't one from me. I mean, unkle is just come in with a letter from Papa in his hand (& none for me) by way of Newbury. I am glad to hear that all

was

was well the 26 Nov ult. I am told my Papa has not mention'd me in this Letter. Out of sight, out of mind. My aunt gives her love to papa, & says that she will make the necessary enquieries for my brother and send you via. Halifax what directions and wormseed she can collect.

1st Jany) I wish my Papa, Mama, brother 1772. John Henry, & cousin Avery & all the rest of my acquaintance at Cumberland, Fortlaurence, Barronsfield, Greenland, Amherst &c. a Happy New Year, I have bestow'd no new year's gift,26 as yet. But have received one very handsome one, viz. the History of Joseph Andrews abreviated. In nice Guilt and flowers covers. This afternoon being a holiday I am going to pay my compliments in Sudbury Street.

Jany 4th I was dress'd in my yellow coat,

1772 my black bib & apron, my pompedore 27 shoes, the cap my aunt Storer 28 sometime since presented me with (blue ribbins on it) & a very handsome loket in the shape of a hart she gave me the past pin my Hond Papa presented me with in my cap, My new cloak & bonnet on, my pɔmpe

dore

dore gloves, &c, &c. that for the first time,

And I would tell you, they all lik'd my dress

very much. My cloak & bonnett are really very handsome, & so they had need be. For they cost an amasing sight of money, not quite £45 29 tho' Aunt Suky said, that she suppos'd Aunt Deming would be frighted out of her Wits at the money it cost. I have got one covering, by the cost, that is genteel, & I like it much myself. On thursday I attended my aunt to Lecture & heard Dr Chauncey 30 preach a third sermon from Acts ii. 42. They continued stedfastly — in breaking of bread. I din'd & spent the afternoon at Mr. Whitwell's. Miss Caty Vans was one of our company. Dr. Pemberton 31 & Dr Cooper had on gowns, In the form of the Episcopal cassock we hear, the Docts design to distinguish themselves from the inferior clergy by these strange habits [at a time too when the good people of N. E. are threaten'd with & dreading the comeing of an episcopal bishop] 32 N. B. I dont know whether one sleeve would make a full trimm'd

33

negligee 88 as the fashion is at present, tho' I cant say but it might make one of the fru

gal

gal sort, with but scant triming. Unkle says, they all have popes in their bellys. Contrary to I. Peter v. 2. 3. Aunt says, when she saw Dr P. roll up the pulpit stairs, the figure of Parson Trulliber, recorded by Mr Fielding occur'd to her mind & she was really sorry a congregational divine, should, by any instance whatever, give her so unpleasing an idea.

}

34

Jany I have attended my schools every IIth day this week except wednesday afternoon. When I made a setting up visit to aunt Suky, & was dress'd just as I was to go to the ball. It cost me a pistoreen to nurse Eaton for tow cakes, which I took care to eat before I paid for them.35 I heard Mr Thacher preach our Lecture last evening Heb. II. 3. I remember a great deal of the sermon, but a'nt time to put it down. It is one year last Sep' since he was ordain'd & he will be 20 years of age next May if he lives so long. I forgot that the weather want fit for me to go to school last thursday. I work'd at home.

Jany I told you the 27th Ult that I was 17th going to a constitation with miss

Soley.