Saturday, July 11, 1802.
We rode out, Ellen and myself, with the three boys, in a hack. Went to
Danners—Parson Wadsworth’s, to see Mrs. Rickman’s children; took them in
to ride; came down by the mills and went across to Hasket Derby’s
farm,—all the cherries gone,—rambled about the gardens an hour and
returned home,—charming ride; the country round Salem is delightful,
altho’ ’tis situated rather in a plain, ’tis surrounded with beautiful
hills, handsome trees, ponds, brooks, etc. We got home at dusk and found
Mr. Coffin just returned from Boston. Mrs. Hasket Derby sent a great
basket of cherries and her compliments, she would come over in the
morning. I wished very much to see her, she had been gone 5 weeks to the
Springs. I had heard Martha say much of her and wished much that
to-morrow could come.
Next morning—Sunday—went to Meeting. Mr. Dana of Marblehead preached;
very devout, unaffected young man; saw not a soul I had ever seen
before, excepting Mr. Grey; thought I should not have known him as I
scarcely saw his face before. Found Mrs. Hasket Derby on my return, was
disappointed in her personal appearance; instead of finding the elegant,
majestic, beautiful creature my imagination had pictured, I beheld a
little, short, plump woman dressed in black, a coarse complexion and
anxious eyes, yet I had not been in her company an hour without
confessing to myself she was the most agreeable, fascinating woman I
ever saw. She continually pleases and delights you; she appears to live
for others, nor ever bestows a thought upon herself, yet so perfectly
unconscious of it, that it seems inherent in her disposition, and to
flow without any effort. She planned parties of amusement as I was a
stranger, and we fixed upon Friday for a fishing party to Nahant; sent
to Boston for some to meet us. Monday a small party at Mrs. Derby’s came
to tea. I rode in the chaise with Mr. Grey. Mrs. Grey and a Mr. White,
an Englishman, in her carriage. Mr. Coffin and Miss Grey in another
chaise,—Mr. and Mrs. Hasket Derby. We walked on a hill near the house,
where we had the most extensive prospect I ever saw—the whole world
seemed spread before us covered with the richly variegated carpet of
nature. We returned home in the evening with a fine moon, and all went
to Mr. Grey’s to spend the evening. Most charming time; treated with
great attention by Mrs. Grey, who is, in my opinion, a fine woman,
domestic, fond of her children, and never so happy as in contributing to
their amusement, and possesses fine sense, animated, unceremonious, and
agreeable.—Tuesday, Doct. and Mrs. Coffin and Mrs. Sumner came down from
Boston; dined together, and all went to Hasket Derby’s farm in the
afternoon. Mrs. Grey and Miss Bishop of the party; glad to see Miss
Bishop—one of my old school-mates. Had a most charming ride; went in the
carriage with Mrs. Grey. All returned to Mr. John Derby’s and spent the
evening. William Grey and his father came in the evening; walked in the
garden.—Wednesday, large party of gentlemen to dine with Doct. Coffin.
In the afternoon all went to Mrs. Grey’s; danced in the evening. Miss
Bishop plays and sings charmingly. Thursday, Doct. and Mrs. Coffin went
home, and in the afternoon went to Mrs. Hasket Derby’s with a party;
every thing elegant and pleasant. Friday to Nahant, fishing—Mr. and Mrs.
Hasket Derby, Mr. and Mrs. John Derby, Mr. and Mrs. Hersey Derby, Miss
Bishop, Mr. Grey, Mr. Coffin, and myself, Miss Heller, Mr. Prince, who
looks very much like Horatio, and several others. Met there some smart
Boston beaux,—Mr. Amory Parkman, Turner, etc., etc. Spent a most
charming day; caught but few fish, and very warm, yet pleasant
notwithstanding—set out for home just as the sun was setting. I returned
in the chaise with William Grey, Frank with Miss Bishop,—rode 2 miles on
the beach, the tide down, sun just setting; ’twas charming and
delightful. Saturday went out to Hersey Derby’s farm to tea, went to the
bathing house, summer house—and saw the Rumford[28] kitchen—elegant
place, beautiful children,—rainy afternoon, we could not enjoy the
pleasures of the country so well. Sunday—went to meeting and to tea with
Mrs. Hasket Derby; met company from Boston,—two beaux, Mr. Lee and Mr.
Davis. Monday—a party of young ladies at Mrs. Grey’s; danced in the
evening, went home at eleven, spent half an hour at Hasket Derby’s on my
way; Ellen was there. Tuesday—rode out with Mrs. Grey after dinner,
returned and drank tea with Mrs. Lambert, found company at Ellen’s on my
return—Mr. and Mrs. Hasket Derby, Hersey Derby and wife, Mr. Prince and
wife,—Patty Derby that was—looks like old _Madame Milliken_[29] very
much. Mr. and Mrs. Hasket Derby wish me to go to the Springs with them;
know not what to do. Ellen says go by all means, never will have such
another opportunity; she thinks my Father and Mother would not object if
I had time to write them, which would be impossible, they go
to-morrow—what shall I do? I must go over after breakfast, I will
consult Mrs. J. Derby. I would not go for the world if I thought my
Father or Mother would not be pleased. Mr. and Mrs. Derby go alone in
their carriage. I must think of it.
Wednesday, Salem, July, 1802.
What will you say, my Dear Mother, when you find I am gone with Mr. and
Mrs. Hasket Derby to the Saratoga Springs? But I hasten to explain all.
Mr. and Mrs. Derby were going in their carriage alone. Mrs. Derby says
she never travelled without some lady, and urged my accompanying her. I
thought ’twas only a compliment and treated it as such, but when I found
she seriously wished it and her husband joined his influence, I began to
think how it would do. I consulted Ellen and Mr. Derby, and they both
thought I ought not to refuse an opportunity of seeing the country which
perhaps may never again occur—a better one surely can never occur. To go
with Mr. and Mrs. Derby is surely an advantage I can never hope to meet
with again. Believe me, nothing would have induced me to think of going
with them unless they had been very urgent. Ellen and Mr. Derby both say
they doubt not you would approve the plan if you were here to consult.
If I did not think so myself nothing would induce me to go—still I
regret not having it in my power to wait an answer from you, but
to-morrow afternoon we must set out. Ellen has lent me everything
necessary for my journey,—indeed I can never repay her. She is the most
generous being I ever saw. She has nothing in the house but is at my
service,—all her handsome dresses she wishes me to carry, indeed
everything that I can possibly want she has supplied me with. I am glad
that I shall not be compelled to purchase anything that would be
unnecessary after my return. I think I shall borrow some money of her,
as it is impossible I can receive any from home, and if I do not need
it, I need not spend it. You may assure yourself I shall remember to
economise as much as possible. It seems as if Ellen and Mrs. Derby tried
which should most oblige me. As I never determined to go till this
morning, Mrs. Derby said ’twas impossible to make any new clothes, nay
unnecessary, and insisted I should take any thing of hers I should want,
but Ellen would not admit of that. I know not the route we shall take,
but Mrs. Derby says we shall probably _go_ or _return_ thro’
_Leicester_.[30] I shall be gratified very much at an opportunity of
seeing our relations there. Ellen promises to write. I never was treated
with more attention in my life. Ellen heaps me with favors, and now I
have thought of this journey, she thinks she can’t do enough. I intend
keeping a particular journal while I am gone, which you shall all peruse
on my return. We shall probably be gone four or five weeks, as it is two
or three hundred miles from here. When you write me direct your letters
to Salem and Mr. Derby will forward them as he will know where we are.
Has Octavia returned? tell her I shall leave my Salem journal to be sent
to her the first opportunity. If I go thro’ Newport I shall endeavor to
find out Miss Crary and Miss Clarke, and wish I had a letter from her.
And now, my dear Mother, assure me you approve of my going and I shall
have nothing to trouble me. My Father, I think, would not object to it
if I could know his opinion. Mr. Grey (Wm. Grey) says he is sure he
would not disapprove of it, if he knew in what good protection I was.
By-the-bye, I have received every attention from Mr. Grey’s family, and
Mrs. Grey is a remarkably fine woman. I rode out with her yesterday
afternoon, and she sent for me to go to Wexham pond with her this
afternoon; called to excuse myself and tell her of my projected journey;
she regretted it as I was to have gone to Medford with her the next
week, and she had planned several parties for me which would be
frustrated; but she acknowledged I was perfectly right to go, and if
’twas her daughter she should be much gratified at the opportunity. Mr.
and Mrs. Derby say I must tell you they will take good _care_ of me and
they shall take the full protection of me. Write me soon, or request my
Father or Octavia; but pray if you disapprove, do not tell me till I
return, ’twill be too late to alter or retract, and I should be wretched
if I thought you disapproved my going,—do write, or ask my Father, I
shall feel uneasy. My love to all friends, and believe me, with great
affection, Your