Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 11).djvu/85

 19th.—Dined, this day, at four, p. m. at the elegant and hospitable table of Mr. Douglas, where I met General and Captain Cantey, and ladies, and {58} James S. Day, Esq. a Yankee, one of the most intelligent and superior men I have ever seen in this or in any country. He married a daughter of the late Colonel Chesnut, an old friend of my late uncle, and received a fortune of 25,000l. with his lady. His attentions to me were very marked and kindly distinguishing. I know not that I have ever met with in any other man, so happy a stock of ideas, and so appropriate and pleasant a flow of language, with which to express and adorn them. Our table was rich, and groaned with a variety of viands, wines, and cordials, finely coloured. Many fine fruits garnish the table and tempt the palate in Carolina. The whole of our dinner party retired to the neighbouring house of Mr. Martin, to tea and coffee, where the number of our ladies was quadrupled. The mode of spending the evening is here highly interesting. No cards nor any species of gaming are introduced; but the ladies, as all are connoisseurs in music, take in turn the grand piano, and play and sing to it delightfully; while conversation goes round in tête à tête groups, as though the voice of music were not heard. At a rather late hour the party breaks up; none of the ladies walked home, but their family chariots were thick in waiting round the door, and into them were all led with great homage and attention, yet without any formality. Thus they meet and part, pleasing and well pleased with each other.

20th.—Just as I was mounting my carriage and {59} leaving Camden, Mr. Douglas called to say that he had engaged me to ride over the rich and matchless plantations of M'Cray, Esq. in company with the pro