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play cards, my only amusement was looking over games, the rules of which I was unacquainted with, & which therefore could excite no interest, or sitting behind the players in [helpless?] thought, or triffling talks. -- Much pleasanter were the evenings we passed at home. Mr Smith was all ways occupied, but Susan, James & myself read & studied french, or played chess, when alone; but this was not often the case, our family circle was generaly enlarged by a few members of Congress, or other gentlemen in the neighborhood. I recollect with peculiar pleasure our twilight hours, then the large coal fire, was stirred into a brighter blaze, the curtain was drawn close, the sopha placed near the fire, our neat & comfortable tea-table arranged on one side the fire-place; how comfortable cheerful was the appearance of the room; Susan would take her seat at the forte pianno, & play some lively airs, to which Julia, her nurse, little Matty & myself would dance -- the dear little creature was so fond of this kind of frolic, that even before she could speak, she used to take Susan's hand & push her to the instrument, grunting meanwhile to explain her meaning. -- Oh my child may that gaiety, which has hitherto afforded thee so much happiness, never forsake thee. Merrily have passed thy hours. -- When tired, she gave us so many kisses as we desired & went singing to bed. then, in the parlour, hushed was our merry mirth, I threw myself on the sopha, while Susan played all her pensive songs, all the sweet & plaintive airs of Scottish melody - when Mr S was occupied in his office, we have spent hours thus, by the firelight. The moment he came up, our candles were light, we surrounded our tea-table where the most unreserved & agreeable conversations, gave peculiar charms. When worn out, & wearied by the business of the day, tea had always the power of enlivening & renovating the exhausted spirits of my dear hus band. If I cared not for tea, myself, I should love it for its
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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.
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play cards, my only amusement was looking over games, etc rules of which I was unacquainted with, and which therefore could incite no interest, or sitting behind the players in helpless thought, or triffling talks. — Much pleasanter was the evenings we passed at home. Mr. Smith was all ways occupied, but I was, James and myself, read or studied french, or played chess, when alone; but that was not often the case, our family circle was generaly enlarged by a few members of congress, or other gentlemen in the neighborhood. I recollect with heartier pleasure our twilight hours, when the large coal fire, was stirred into a brighter blaze, to sustain was drawn close, the sopha placed near to fire, our neat a comfortable tea table arranged on one side to fire place, how comfortable cheerful was the appearche of the room; Susan would take her seat at the forte piano, and play some lovely airs, to which Julia, her [. ],
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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.