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 with much less water than would be necessary without the spirits.

3rd.—Previous to a heavy thunder-storm this morning, a hurricane came on (a common precursor) and raised dense clouds of dust, which thickened and darkened the horizon, and made all look like London in a dark smoky fog in November; {121} but when the rain fell, the atmosphere resumed its transparency. During the continuance of the storm, the heat was the greatest ever known here, being 101-1/2º in the shade.

Unnatural prematurity is here very common. Boys look grave, and talk, act, and dress like men, and expect and exact the same treatment as men, though only 12 or 13 years old.

The poet Bloomfield,[24] Author of The Farmer's Boy, has a sister living at Alexandria; and in its vicinity live two of the ancient family of Fairfax,[25] on immense estates, granted at an early period to a branch of their house, but which, owing to want of management and prudence, are found to be insufficient for the support of their several households.

5th.—That prominent want of respect for rule and rulers apparent here, may I think be traced to the disorderly economy of private families. The children are