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D4342 Diary 1804-1807, Part One

bearing effect on him. Of all the past 24 hours most sweet
to me is that of evening. It is of a winter's evening, that I am
more capable of being happy than in any other portion of life, & thus
has it been since my earliest recollection.

During the day, while I sewed Sarah read to me, many a pleasant
stormy day did we pass in the course of this winter, seated by
a blazing fire, the storm that passed without, but made us
more sensible of our comforts when Julia's disposition was so sweet,
& cheerful, that she was easily amused, & whole days have
we read aloud, while she & Maty were playing on the
carpet without our being interrupted by them. She had a table
& a set of pewter tea cups, these afforded inexhaustible
amusement after drinking a day cups of tea, every thing would
be washed up, the table cleared &c all for the sake
of my again setting it out in a different corner, or in
a different manner, besides she had cards, & blocks of
wood with large letters marked on, which used to be
built up in every possible form -- She is a remarkably
active child, always in motion, always intently occupied,
whatever she does is done with all her heart & soul.
I never had to come at her, I required however the most absolute
obedience, but this was not often. I left her as much as
possible to herself & indulged her in every thing which was
not hurtful to her, or troublesome to others. She was between
2 & 3 years old, but she could not speak a single word.
Her intelligent countenance & expressive gestures, made us ac-
quainted with all her wants. -- She was very fat & robust,
full face, broadened cheeks, fair complexion & sparkling eyes. She
had little hair, but wore cap on.

In the spring, my situation making exercise necessary
my kind & attentive husband, used to make me ride almost
every afternoon - many were the pleasant walks we
had about the city, & which derived an interest from
another object we had in view. We were in search
of a small farm, to which we might retreat
in the sickly season. For this purpose we explored all the
cross roads & lanes - for a long while our search was vain.