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Oak Lawn, June (Th.) 29th, 1837. -
Tom Jones is a captal novel - I have just read it through, which I have been doing a month by way of amusing myself. It purports to be history of events in private life: and that simplicity and elegance of style which should ever characterise history abound throu ghout the work. It is totally destitute of that bombast and tedious playing with words so disgusting in modern novels. The method is good and the events many. Every thing too is drawn and painted to nature: which this of itself gives it pre-eminence. It is also interspersed through out with sagacious remarks on human nature and excellent philosophic reflection. It is one of those rare specimes of genius which may be read again and again with delight and never to be thrown aside as stale. On the whole, no doubt it is one of the best books of the kind in the English language.
O.C. 12. M. 30th June Friday. have this far spent the day in writing friendly letters to distant friends. I esteem it one of the felicities of human existence to [hold?] communion with distant friends by letter. Letter writing is both a pleasing and improving exercise. It often brings to play long lain affection and the chara cter of man in miniature. In letters often appear genuine traits of human character which the world knows but little or nothing about. And let such letter writer have a fair trial in the world, and his character will be developed to the truth of his letters to the letter. A series of correspondences is often a truer test of real character than open worldly actions - Privately correspondences therefore of the great, when published, as is often done after their death, should be sought and perused for correct opinions of their characters.
Wed 6th July. Dry and windy the weather - I feel not very well. Corn is beautiful looking very green and now needs rain.
Yesterday (T. 5th, I spent in quiescent state being quite week. In afternoon though, chatted with lady visitants and read only a little.
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Oak Lawn. Sat. 1st of July, 1837. -
Rode out to the village of Coleraine - this is a pretty, because pleasant, place in teh summer. Here was a malitia muster - The congression al candidate Long, encircled by the reimment, as is the mode, addressed the people in quite a high toned and flowery style. He touched closely on the present money pressure throughout the nation, but a think in a style too learned for the people's understanding. Mr L. I have often heard - he is, to give him his due, a very pretty speaker and quite a flighty orator Like most speakers however, he has his faults. He is too theatrical for a plain people's orator - often enunciates like a play actor on the theatrical stage, by a kind of forced flutter of the tongue: this, so far from rendering pronunciati on full, clear, and musical, indicates either a foreign brogue, which can only be by one who is, or has been, a foreigner, or shows palpably dusgusting affectation. Mr. L. is withall a highly captivating speaker - but how much more captivating would he be to good sense, were he to indulge more in simplicity than in glare. -
He was answered by a political opponent that is not a candidate - Dr. Mcbane who represented Mr L.s absent opposing candidate. the hon. J. A Bynum. The doctor to conced him his merits speaks very well, played the demagogue and indlged in slang in the true modern democratic style. It was really surprising to hear him make assertions which he knew could be plainly shown by Mr. L. to have no foundation in truth. His object was to make an impression on the people by insidious cunning. His tricks were wll exposed by L. Between them there was some inuendo of personality and responsibility - but explanation brought all right. Had that uproarious little Mr. Bynum been then something warm might have ensued. -
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A lawyer who hoped to live by his profession should not give even trival advice to to Tom, Dick & Harry without pay. If he does, why whenever he is in public assemblies of the people, he will be constantly filched of [illegible] law knowledge which cost him much to learn. I have been often imposed on. But this day, I nerved myself to a determination, to give no law opinion without pay. The consequence was, a client offering to pay for advice which I of course give him. - - -
Was accompanied home by my worthy and intelligent friend Mr. R. of L-tle town. It is gratifying to have a talented companion to pass off the time at home or else-where. -
Sunday 2nd Mr. R. and myself rode to Union M. House of the Methodists and as miles from OakLawn. Here were many poeple; a pleasant times fine preaching, - by in the fore noon Dr Leach the Elder and by a Mr. Rowsy (I never saw his name spelt) in the after noon. Dined at the M.H. -
Went to Mr Jas Riddicks for the night. This evening I spent in argument with the preacher. -
Mon. 3.rd Staid here at Mr R's with for the purpose of preparing myself to make a fourth of July speech
Tues. 4th July. This morning I was very unwell with a [illegible] disease which weakened and prostrated me all the morning: thought I should not be able to attend the celebration according to appointment. At length I rode out. This place was at Mr. J. D. Askew's mill in a woods 2 1/2 miles from any public road. Provision was made for excellent accommodation of many people - more by half than was there. The grove for the reading, speaking and so forth, overshaddowed many comforta ble seats, and the speaker's stand too was tasefully arranged. Not having made a note, not having been able this morning to commune with my mind, and so quite unprepared, I was induced according to promise to ascend the stage. Feeble as I was I made a short address in the midst of which, I read the Delaration of Independence. I had not physical
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ability to sustain me in expatiating on the several topics I introduced; and in the last I conceived I failed for want of physical strength. On this speech, I would not risque my reputation as a speaker; - The cannon thundered - we sat down to a splendid dinner (I being unable to eat a mouthful.) The cloth) removed, the wine was introduced: and first regular toasts, then volunteer, toasts were drank. The collation was fine. I am a fraid that our host Mr. K. Jordan was not compensated for his trouble and expense which he seems to have spared not in furnishing well. The wine had considerable influence over the spirits of this company. I reached home about supper or just af ter - very weak and very sick. This was a very pleasand day for a national jubilee. - -
7th Sunday - The past week is passed without any improvement of mine - the warm weather and feebleness of my health [borbed?] study. I have a notion this day to ride as far as Windsor, thence on to morrow to Williamston, for profit and gratification. The end of my jurney home will prove whether or not such journey is practicable
13th (Th) I did go to Windsor last Sunday - but not to Williamston the next day in consequence of the rainy weather. - Signed articles with gentlemen in Windsor Mon. 9th relative to a school - Came far as my friend [W?]. Lewis and staid the night, - leaving Windsor at 1/2 p. 11 A.M. and travelling through a hard hard rain to Major Watford's where I dined. The rain being over travelled again, stoping for water at Mr. A Askews Sun.
T. 10th Went Bethel - thence Jno Harrell till after dinner - thence White Plains - thence to Mrs Perrys in Mill neck in Company Mr Pr. Preston Perry - 12th, Came to Bethel bought goods & carried White Plains - returned to Bethel, where I dined, put my horse and staid till night. In all this, I had but little in payment. At is a cowing reflection that after a young man has [been?] at the bar a year or two, he is compelled to resort to another profession; "pedagogues birch."
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Oaklawn 13th th. 1837 - - [July]
I am now oscillating in opinion - I hate to go to Windsor to teach school because such occupation must hinder. and put me back in my profession. A certain business at Win ton, if it could be equally profitable with the Windsor business, would be preferable to me. If I knew I could succeed in this latter business, I would even now refuse a residence in Windsor which is very unhealthy, Winton being not so unhealthy: beside too the Winton business would be more in the line of my profession and I would be free to visit Courts which the Windsor business forbids - (Yet if I go to Windsor, I will visit this county, Hertford, Courts when I deem it profitable; frowns to the contrary notwithstanding. Though I expect to go to Windsor (to reside) I hope not to go. To one of liberal attainments and a lawyer, independ ent souled and high minded, acquainted with new and measures of the day, with great men and little men - who has an indomitable spirit against little, petty, supervisory service and little trudgery; - a teaching school is mortif ying and unmanning. With me necessity and feeling are in conflict. I am however under no propensity of indolence. I value industry high as any one, and really feel industrious. Could I be liberally encouraged in the profession I have chosen, the law, all working hours I would arduously devote to it. Something however [illegible] may yet be in store.
18th S. A man's want of means to pay his [pest?] debts is building languishing to his independ ence. His independence ebbed, his hopes suffer - - his feelings flagg, and a canker to his peace lurks within his breast corroding his very talents (- in other words, to render, them dormant. I have been in public places three or four days. -