Notes

The Knight of the golden crest (3)

Notes

Notes

Tell her I'll love her. (6)

Notes

Now let the warrior. (8)

Notes

Notes

Notes

On beds of snow the monbeams slept14.(14)

Moore

Notes

Notes

She is far from the land. (19)

Notes

The Indian warrior.(21)

Notes

Silent Love.(23)

Notes

The Minstrel Boy (26)

Notes

Notes

Notes

Notes

Notes

Notes

Troubadour Song.(39)

Hemans(40)

Notes

The death of Clanronald.(41)

It was in the battle of Sheriffmoor that young Clanronald fell,
leading on the Highlanders of the right wing. His death dispirited
the assailants, who began to waver. But Glengary a rival chief, started
from the ranks, and waving his bonnet round his head cried out,
"To day for revenge, and to-morrow for grief!" The Highlanders
received a new impulse from his words, and charging with redoubled
fury, bore down all before them.

Continued on next page

Mrs. Hemans (42)

Notes

The fall of D'Assas.(43)

The Chevalier D'Assas, called the French Decius, fell nobly
whilst reconnoitring a wood by night. He had left his regiment,
that of Auvergne, at a short distance, and was suddenly surrounded
by an ambuscade of the enemy, who threatened him with instant
death if he made the least sign of their vicinity. With their bayonets
at his breast, he raised his voice, and calling aloud "Arm, Arm,
Auvergne, the foe!" fell, pierced with.(44) mortal wounds.

Continued . . . . . . . . .

Mrs Hemans

Notes

The Pirate's serenade. (48)

Notes

The Fall of Tecumseh. (49)

Continued on next page

Continued. .

Notes

Marshal Schwerin's Grave. (50)

The tomb of this brave man is a plain quiet cenotaph
erected in the middle of a wide cornfield, on the very spot where
he closed a long, faithful, and glorious career in arms.
He fell here at 80 years of age, at the head of his own
regiment, the standard of it waving in his hand.

Continued

Mrs Hemans

Notes

A Monarch's Death-bed.(51)

The Emperor Albert, of Hapsburg who was assassinated, by
his nephew, afterwards called John the Parricide, was left
to die by the way-side, and was supported in his last
moments by a female peasant, who happened to be passing.

Continued . . . .

Mrs Hemans.

Notes

The Suliote Mother.(52)

It is related, that several of the Suliote women, on
the advance of the Turkish troops into their mountain
fastnesses, assembled on a lofty summit, and after chanting
a wild song, precipitated themselves, with their children, into
the chasm below, to avoid becoming the slaves of the enemy.

Continued

Continued

Mrs Hemans.

Notes

Bernardo Del Carpio. (55>)

This celebrated Spanish champion, having made
many ineffectual efforts to procure the release of his father,
who had been imprisoned by Alphonso, king of Asturias,
almost from the time of Bernardo's birth, at last took
up arms in despair. The war which he maintained,
proved so destructive, that the men of the land gathered
round the King & united in demanding the liberty of
the father. Alfonso accordingly offered Bernardo
immediate possession of his father's person, in exchange
for his castle of Carpio. Bernardo without hesita–
–tion gave up his strong-hold with all his captives,
and, being assured that his father was then on
his way from prison, rode forth with the king to
meet him. The remainder of the story will be found
related in the ballad.

Continued

Mrs Hemans.(58)

Notes

Records
Of my Senior Year at the University of N Ca.

The advantages of keeping a journal, are many &
important. Exclusive of the improvement, which one would nescessari–
–ly make, both in his style of composition & in the art of pen-manship
; and setting aside likewise all the benefits, which would probably
result from such an use of his leisure time—the gratification a–
–lone, that he would feel in after life,(80) in perusing this work of
his youth & reflecting on the profitable manner in which he spent
the time— "When life itself was new, And the heart promised, what the fancy drew" (81) —would
amply compensate him for all the labour of its composition.
And even should that most happy period of his life have been
spent in idleness & dissipation; still will not this memento of his
follies & crimes, have been written in vain. For when his eye shall
rest upon the page, that speaks to him of his disgrace, tears of
sorrow & repentance will course each other down his cheeks &
he will resolve with all his might, to free himself from those
vices & habits, which degraded his youth.

For these & many other reasons, we have determined to keep
a weekly record of all the leading events of my(82) life during our
Senior year in College, together with our thoughts & reflections
at the time.

J. L. D. . . . . . . . .

Notes

[July 17, 1841]

On Tuesday the 13th July 1841 I bade a reluctant farewell
to my friends & relatives, among whom I had been spending a long
and most pleasant vacation of six weeks & set out on my return
to the university, in company with two other incipient Sophs
, A. & F. . . . & my cousin P. R. . . . . . . . . . .(83) Mr F. . . . .(84) & my father brought
us as far on our way as Greensboro.(85) in private conveyances.
Taking the stage from that place about one of the clock, on the
night ensuing, we reached the Hill at four the following evening.
Although we met with no very serious accident on our journey,
yet did we not escape, altogether scathless. At Greensborough
through sheer forgetfulness I left that particular bag of most
delicious cake, which my good mother had busied herself so
much in preparing for me. The thoughts of it e'en now makes
the mouth water & the bowells yearn. Oh! Lethe! thy sluggish
stream exists not only in the realms below, but its branches
irrigate all this fair world of ours & the drowsy, dreamy influence of
their waters, pervades the senses of mortal men as well as
the spirits in Pluto's dark domain.

It is an old proverb, that misfortunes seldom come alone &
I found it true in my case. I left home with a pot of promising
young plants, consisting of a buckhorn & two hyderangeas.(86)
They bore a priceless value in my eyes from the circumstance,
that the buchorn was a present from a young lady & bore
her name. One of the hydrangeas(87) also bore the name of Miss E. H. . .,
and I had bound myself by all the laws of chivalry to cherish
the plants as emblems of the growing affection that was exist-

ing between us respectively. By the most unremitting care and
watchfulness, I reached Hillsboro with them in perfect safety,
& was congratulating myself that the goal of our journey was near
at hand & that all anxiety with respect to them would then be over.
But alas!(88) how little do we know of futurity. I set the little ark,
freighted with the emblems of our young affections, as I thought,
in a secure place, & had left them but a few moments, when I
returned & the spectacle that met my gaze, wrung my
heart with grief & vexation. Some careless hand had over–
–turned it & the contents now lay at my feet crushed & broken O! ever thus from child-hood's hour, I've seen my fondest hopes decay; I never loved a tree or flower But t'was the first to fade away.(89)

After the first bursts of passion were over, I procured
another pot, in which I placed the mangled remains of my
plants & brought them to the hill. Of the two which bore the
names of Sarah & Elvira,(90) the one is withered &shrunk & of
the other nothing now remains but the stem, shorn of its
leaves & destitute of all outward signs of life. The one without
a name, alone escaped uninjured, amid that wreck of matter.
It stands in all the pride of conscious beauty & seems to
look down in scorn upon its less fortunate companions.
The omen to be deduced from the fate of these plants, is
most probably true. Neither Sarah or Elvira is likely ever to
be mine for weal or woe. I have never yet seen a woman

who resembles my ideal model of female perfection, or one, who
could cause the chords near my heart to vibrate at her approach.
Until I find one who can enchain my roving desires & fix
them on herself alone, my surviving hydrange[a] shall remain
without a name. But until that time I will cherish & guard
it as the representative of my fair incognita. One other
accident occurred, though it is hardly worth recording. In the
hurry & confusion consequent on reaching the Hill, I neglected to
take my umbrella off the stage so that it went on towards
Raleigh & did not return for a couple of days. My room–
–mate reached here the day after my own arrival & we took
possession of our old room.

Done at our dormitory, No. 23, on the 3d passage
of the West Building, of the University of the
sovreign state of North Carolina, on the eve–
–ning of Saturday the 17nth day of july, & in the
Year of our Lord, eighteen hundred
and forty one.

James L Dusenbery (91)

Notes

[July 24, 1841]

On Monday the 18nth ult.(92) the regular exercises of College
commenced. The senior class recited for its first lessons to Gov. Swain,
—The bill of rights of the freemen(93) of NCarolina & the constitution of the U.States
We also beg[an] this week, the study of Chemistry, including Botany, Zoology,
& Mineralogy, under Prof. Mitchell. The class recites once a week to Philips
on Astronomy & twice a week to Fetter on the Medea of Euripides. Monsieur
Robards, the Prof. of French, has not yet returned from "the enjoyment of his
vacation." (94) During the past week I have been trying to overcome the
habit of sleeping between prayers breakfast, but without success.
It is prejudicial to health, a waste of the most pleasant part of the
day for study therefore that habit must not be indulged. The fact
is, the weather has been so excessively warm & sultry, that I have
done very little else but sleep during the whole week.

I brought from home seventy five dollars, with which I paid my debts
to the amount of fifteen dollars; paid also ten dollars in advance
for board, five to Society, five for Kents Commentaries(95), & deposited
thirty five with the Bursar, for which I took a receipt. Of the
remaining five, I paid fifty cents to a boy for bringing my baggage from
the tavern to my room, deposited one dollar in the P. Office &
bought a box of cigars with the remainder.

I retired from church last Sabbath after answering to my name.
I had no absences either from prayers or recitation during the
week.

Done at No 23. W.[est] B.[uilding] on the evening of Saturday, the 24th
day of the month july & in the year of christ eighteen hun–
–dred & forty one.

JLD.(96)

Notes

[July 31, 1841]

In the grey twilight of last saturday evening, three students
left the West Building by the back door & after winding their way
through dark alleys & the most unfrequented places, at length emerged
into the Hillsborough road, in the outskirts of the village. One of the party
carried under his arm a most suspicious-looking instrument
which he appeared to conceal with the utmost care. That instru–
–ment was a violin & the individuals were Nelms, Caldwell & myself.
We soon found ourselves at the depot , where Mears, Walker, Green,
Smith(97), Jno. & Bob Cowan, Hawkins, Chub, & L. Henderson & several
others soon joined us. Taking Em with us, we struck into the
woods & half hour's hard walking brought us to the fishery
—the place of our destination. The object of the excursion was to have
a real, downright bull-dance(98) with the Herring gals & as
many others as we could get together at that place. We were
about 25 in number & though the night was warm almost to
suffocation, all crowded into the little cabin, that was barely
of sufficient size to permit us to turn round. Every man stripped
to his shirt & trowsers, Nelms & big Smith(99) played the fiddle & the
dance began. The sweat rolled down [to use an hyperbole]
until our boot-legs were full to overflowing & still the
dance went on. It lasted until near midnight, when the air in
the room became so highly charged with funk & gaseous matter
that it was impossible to stand it any longer. A general
rush was made for the open air & many a hoarse throat
was caused by the sudden cooling. From this time the crowd
began to decrease rapidly as squad after squad took up their

drowsy line of march towards college. At length all were
gone save Hawkins Caldwell & myself. I shall not attempt
to detail the mysterious proceedings of my two companions du–
–ring the dark hours of that ever memorable night. Let a veil
forever cover them. As for myself I was so overcome with
sleep & lassitude that I was compelled to go to bed. They put
me on a feather bed & though the night was warm eneough
to melt lead itself & though I sunk down over head & ears
yet notwithstanding all this I slept. But Oh! the horrors of
that fatal nap. Never shall I forget the shocking dreams
that haunted my pillow. Among others not less horrid,
methought I lay upon a pool of molten lead & that
thousands of diminutive devils were around me, pinching
biting & mocking at me. Making a desperate effort to
free myself from their persecutions, I awoke & found my–
–self in a predicament in truth, scarcely more enviable
than my imaginary one. My body was nearly float–
–ing in its own perspiration & myriads of chinces(100) were
performing their nightly orgies upon it. I arose with
difficulty from that bed, which had nearly proved my
last of earthly rest & shaking from(101) me the loathsome
varmints, that clung to my clothes with tenacious
grasp, I determined to bid a final adieu to a place
where chinces grew to the size of teropins & lived
beneath the house instead of in the chinks of the bed.
The morning star was high in the heavens when we reached our rooms. Dancing & singing schools are all the go here
at present. Nearly all college are learning to caper & sing.
We have two dancing masters—Signore Rochietti & Monsieur
De Granval. I took my first lesson under the latter gentleman
last Wednesday. Last thursday I received a letter from my
loving, languid, black-eyed Mary. It contained a lock of
her hair & informed me that she expected to go with her
father to Illinois in the fall & never see me again. She charged
me to write to her however & wound up by declaring, that
though she might be far away, still her heart was & should
be mine until death. The author of this letter is a very pretty
little country girl, whom I met with in my rambles last va–
–cation & though I do not really love her, yet there's none
I would rather be kissing than Mary. I was at her father's
last vacation & as I sat by her side in the door, long after the
rest of the family were asleep & pressed her willing lips to mine;

"In linked sweetness, long drawn out"(102) "I thought to myself, if it were not a sin, I could teach her the prettiest trick in the world: For oft as we mingled our legs & our feet I felt a pulsation & cannot tell whether In hers or in mine—but I know it was sweet ;And I think we both felt it & trembled together."(103)

But I believed Mary to be as virtuous & chaste
as most girls are & therefore quelled the tumultuous passions
that were raging in my breast.

She loves me, I know full well, but never will I in my cool
moments abuse that love. I shall not answer her letter, that she
may think herself neglected & banish all thoughts of me from her
memory. She is a sweet girl— "And may providence guide her uninjured along, Nor scatter her path with repentance & pain."(105)

On a certain night last week, Mc,Bee &Erwin, S. Green & myself
were seated round a table in No 22(106) engaged at a social game
of whist. At the most interesting part of the game, when honours
were easy & each party were battling for the odd trick, the door
opened & Buncombe himself stood upon the threshold. The old
gentleman was so perfectly astounded, that he stood, fixed to
the spot, without the power either to retreat or advance. At
length he approached the table & gathering up the pictures, that had
dropped from the nerveless grasps of most of us, quietly ordered
them to be burned. He did not bring the matter before the faculty
but demanded our pledge of honour, that we would not play our–
–selves or permit cards to be played in our rooms, during our
connection with the University. Friday night after society, Turner
& Bllenfant invited the 3d passage down to drink lemonade with them
They had ice, lemons & sugar in abundance & we had a real freeze-out.
I had no absences at all, last week, though I retired from church.

[Done a]t No 23 July the 31st 1841. It being Saturday eve.

Notes

[August 7, 1841]

I heard a sermon last Sabbath morning for the first time since
leaving home. It was delivered by Prof. Green & set forth in glaring
colours, the utter folly & great wickedness of profane swearing. It is
a habit that I have resolved never to indulge, not only for the
sufficient reason that it is sinful, but because it is useless,
immoral & ungentlemanly. In the evening my class recited
to the Gov. for a bible lesson, the first three chapters of Genesis.
We found him well versed in scripture lore—indeed there
are very few studies, into which he has not examined. A man
of more extensive & varied acquirements than Gov. Swain, is
seldom met with. He remarked, that even exclusive of its
divine character, the bible is one of the most important books
which we can study, both because it is the most perfect mod–
–el of a pure, unadulterated style & for the reason that we
derive from it all our knowledge of the early ages of the
world. I read as far as the Psalms last session & intend
finishing the old Testament, the present one.

On Tuesday I was taken up on Astronomy & made a pretty good
recitation. Wednesday morning during study hours a large
wagon-load(107) of melons was driven into the Campus. The
new Freshmen generously stepped forward, bought the
whole load & called on every man to help himself. (108)
The fellows forthwith mounted into the wagon & began to
carry them to their rooms. Our passage brought away
about a dozen of them. While we were yet eating & the
passage was literally covered with rinds & fra[gm]ents,

Judge Owen paid us a visit. He pronounced himself thunder–
–struck at the aspect of things, assured us that it was inde–
–cent, unhealthy & decidedly rash to keep so filthy a passage &
remarked that it was a duty we owed(109) to the younger classes,
to the Faculty & to ourselves, to be more circumspect in our conduct.
He went on to say that on us the Faculty depended in a great
measure for the maintenance of order & decorum in the west
building—that to us they looked to set an example of so–
–briety & morality to our younger brethren of the University.
Let me indulge the hope, continued the Judge, that you
will, henceforward mark out for yourselves a line of conduct
at once dignified, gentlemanly & worthy of the exalted & highly
responsible station which you occupy as seniors of this University.

"Good morning gentlemen."

On Wednesday S. G. . . . G. H. . . . . . . . & myself, the committee appoint–
–ed by society to write to Mr King,(110) addressed a letter to that
gentleman, requesting of him in the name of society, a present
of some of the minerals, obtained from his lead & silver mines
in Davidson.

My class began "Political Economy" last week under the Gov.

I have not been absent from prayers or recitation during
the week.

Done on saturday evening the 7nth day of the month August & in the year eighteen hundred & forty one, "ab natu Domini." (111)

Notes

[August 14, 1841]

It is now Saturday & nearly ten o'clock at night.
I have passed the day in idleness & to carry out the old
proverb. "That Satan always finds some evil still,
For idle hands to do"(112) == have just crowned
the day, by quaffing once more a draught from the
poisoned chalice of Bacchus & now sit down to record
the events of the week. It has passed away, like the
morning clowd & the early dew, & there is reason to fear
that much of the time was misimproved by me. What have
I done worthy to be recorded in this book? Alas! Nothing.
On Thursday Fetter rushed me(113) shamefully. I was not expecting
to be taken up & had been talking & laughing nearly the
whole hour. He called on me to recite purely for revenge
& so unexpected was the summons, that I became con–
–fused & made a failure, although I had prepared the
lesson with as much care as usual. During the week
I finished the "Divina Commedia" of Dante. It is a theologi–
–cal poem & entirely too deep for my comprehension. He
was a native of Florence & the friend of Petrarch & Boccacio.
I wrote to Laura on Tuesday, it being the first time that
I have written home this session.

The committee of which I was one appointed by society, to write to Mr Haywood,
received a reply from that gentleman on Friday, declining to
have his address published.(114)

My attendance at prayers, church & recitation has been
regular throughout the week.

Notes

[August 14, 1841]

First Chronicles

Chap. 1st

Now it came to pass in the eigth month, even the month
August & in the thirteenth day of the month, that Gooly
surnamed the drummer arose & went forth into the wilderness
of Sin. And there were with him in the wilderness, certain mighty
men of valour of the tribe of Freshmen, worshippers of Baal
who had not the fear of God before their eyes. Now there
were harlots in those parts, who enticed the men of the land &
were stumbling-blocks before Gooly & the men who were with him.
For they were moved in their hearts to go in unto them; so they
arose & went forth by night, bearing in their hands, gifts of
raiment & precious metal. But the intents of their hearts were
evil before the Lord continually & it was forbidden that
this great wickedness should come to pass. For behold as they went
the very trees cried out at their approach & put forth their arms
to forbid their passage. But Gooly & the men of might who were
with him, were hardened in their hearts & pressed forward to
give battle to the giants of the forest. And lo! one of the giants
pressed sore upon Gooly & smote him between the eyes & he fell
upon his face to the earth. Then Gooly arose & fled to his own house
& the men, when they saw what was done, turned & fled after him.
Thus was Gooly & the worshippers of of Baal discomfited before
the giants of the wilderness of Sin.

Done on Saturday the 14 th of August 1841.

[August 22, 1841]

Alfred Foster & myself left Mrs. Lewis's last Tuesday & obtained
boarding at Nunns. Mrs Lewis had been feeding us for nearly a
month, almost wholly upon fried apples & meat & such fare as
that contains very little spice, to give to life a flavour. P. Henderson
H. Graham & Long soon followed our example. The board at Nunns
has been very good thus far & I hope that it may not turn out in
the end=="That such a pretty boy as i,
Have gone to the nunnery, to pine away & die."(115)

The past week has not been very fertile in events. I passed
through the usual routine of my studies in the old way—respec–
–tably, without the occurrence of any thing extra-ordinary.
My reading was also very limited,(116) being confined almost wholly to Byron's Tragedy of Cain(117). Laura's reply to my letter arrived
on Thursday—it contained only a little foolishness respecting the
girls & the composition I wrote for L. . . . & E. . . . . .(118) I shall burn it.

Yesterday (saturday) morning, having obtained permission from
the Gov. I set out with Gooly & Yance for a camp-meeting, then holding
at Antioch(119), 10 miles from the Hill. G. and myself were mounted upon Charles's
mettlesome steeds & Yance bestrode a fiery young gelding of Tinney's.(120)
We went it with a perfect rush. We had ridden about five
miles, when, on stopping to water our horses, I urged mine so
far up the branch, that he mired nearly up to the root of his
tail. In struggling to extricate himself the girt broke & I
had well nigh been precipitated into the slough. After re–
–pairing damages I remounted & again we dashed off at
full gallop. My horse soon lost a shoe but that did

not detain us a minute. A little farther on we were brought
to a sudden stand by the appearance of a large black-snake
coiled in the road. Dismounting, we bruised the head of the
serpent & again vaulting into our saddles, passed on, upon
the wings of the wind. On reaching the ground we found ourselves
to be the only decently dressed fellows there & consequently the
centre of attraction. The people stared at us as we passed
along & remarked to each other "Them must be scholars."
We got to devilling a little negro & cuffy after staring at us
for some time turned up his eyes with a most meaning & sig–
–nificant look(121) & says he "You'se scholars." And by the time
we had been there 15 minutes young men & maidens, old men
& negroes had come to the pretty unanimous conclusion that
we were scholars. At the sound of the horn brother Purify(122)
mounted the stand & remarked that he would take the
liberty of stating in the outset, that there was to be no looking
about during the exercises. In the course of the service that brother prayed that
the Lord would be with them in their protracted-out meet–
–ing & says he, "kind bruthring & friends, let us all sing
that song about Jordan's stormy banks(123) & will some kind
bruthrin or friend give us the pitch. After the sermon
we sat for some time on the bench of anxiety, expecting
that some kind bruthren or friend would ask us to dine with him. Many old patriarchs who had pitched
their tents around, stopped for a moment, looked on us
and passed over to the other side. At length the good
Samaritan appeared & ministered to our wants. His name
was Beaver & a beaver of a peculiar kind he was. He was red.
After dining we strolled about until it was nearly dark & having
obtained our suppers, still felt no inclination to return to College.
After the night sermon a prayer meeting was held & the ground
soon became literally covered with prostrate forms. The pit
behind the stand was full with negroes, to overflowing & the
funk they raised was tremendous. Every old darkee became
suddenly inspired with some divine commission, felt himself
a preacher & a host in himself & strove to make himself heard.
The commingled shouts, groans, shrieks & wild halloas that
ascended to the blue vault above="Threw o'er that spot of earth— —the air of Hell." (124)
We looked on in silent wonderment until near midnight
& then leading our chargers from the bushes, where they had been
feeding upon stake-oats for 16 hours, we charged home-wards
at the rate of eight miles per hour. I have not been absent
either from prayers, recitation or church during the past week.
To day I retired from church after answering to my name.

Recorded on the night of Sunday the 22d of Aug. This record would have been made on the evening previous had I not been absent as above-stated.

Notes

[August 29, 1841]

The Di end of the West Bulding has always been charac–
–terized as the noisiest part of College & well does it deserve the
appellation. If proof be wanting to establish the fact, let any one
appeal to the statistics of the 3d passage of that building.
The high crimes & misdemeanors of the past week alone, would (125)
stamp indelibly upon her front, the guilty stain. But
what care we of the west for that? We are proud of the
distinction & I for one would not exchange my elevated
place here in west for any, the most quiet abode amid
these classic shades. We are a jovial, roistering com–
–pany & our determination is to enjoy to the utmost the
halcyon days of youth. Amity & good feeling exists
among us & the glorious motto we have unfurled, declares "That whilst we're here, with friends so dear, We'll drive dull care away."(126)

The noise was chiefly in my room on Monday night. Five of
us were fighting with pillows. Beds were tumbled, hats
crushed, my pillowcase torn to pieces & finally the candle
thrown down & extinguished, when darkness put an end
to the frolic. The following night, after our return from
dancing-school, we illuminated the passage & commenced
patting & shuffling. The noise was so great that it roused
the judge, who appeared in our midst with(127) the velocity
of a thunderbolt. The death-like stillness that then ensued
contrasted strongly with the deafening uproar of a few
minutes previous. He spoke long & emphatically of

the impropriety of such proceedings, entreated us to forbear &
having concluded his dissertation & bowed politely we lighted
him down stairs. There was more dancing on the next night
but JUDEX did not make his appearance.

On Thursday Miss Train passed through in the stage on her
way home, under the protection of Mr Gaither(128). Alfred & I walk–
–ed out nearly a mile to meet the stage in order to have more
conversation with her, but the rascally driver refused to
let us ride. We walked back & while the mail was preparing
enjoyed a few brief & hurried words with her. She inquired my
address & promised to send me a paper occasionally while
in my turn I pledged myself to forward catalogues et cetera
to her address at Firmingham Mass. She handed me a
letter from Laura. By the mail I received another letter.
It was from Griffin & informed me that Mary, my own sweet
girl was well & anxious to see me, but in great fear
that her father would emigrate in October & seperate us
forever. Yesterday evening we sent over to the East [Building] for
Fresh Smith, put a fiddle in his hands & had a real old
scamper down. After the dance Pink sent down
town for a bottle of wine & we pledged each other in
flowing glasses. At night songs & social converse
filled up the intervening hours 'till bed-time.

No absences during the week. Snapped from church
to day. Pink answered for me but Ralph would'nt take.

Done on Sunday 29nth 1841 August.

Notes

[September 5, 1841]

Monsieur, Le Maitre ã dancer, has commenced
giving us 4 lessons in each week & that too, on so many
successive nights. At that rate his school will soon
terminate. It has been greatly augmented since Rochietti's
was broken-up. Le Monsieur is a perfect master of his
profession. I have never seen a man who could impart,
so successfully, to others the polite accomplishment of dancing.
After the dance on Tuesday night I threw of my clothes & becoming
cool too suddenly, a cold was brought on by that imprudence.
In addition to this, a tooth that had been very sensitive for
a long time, began to ache & continued to do so throughout
the night. I could neither sleep or read & to remain in
my room & do nothing was intolerable. I could not rec–
–oncile myself to the loss of the tooth & still hoped that the
aching would eventually cease. How vain were all
such hopes! The pain at length became so intense that
I could no longer withold my assent to the extraction
of the tooth. I went to the Doctor's, but no voice
replied to my loud & oft-repeated kncking & I was
compelled to drag out the remainder of that horrid
night in wandering about the streets, & in counting
over, & venting fruitless curses upon the long & painful
hours that must intervene, ere SOL would show his
reluctant visage above the western hills. At
length he rose & ne'er did Gheber(129) hail, with more devout
pleasure than myself, his rising presence.

His first rays lighted me to the door of that worthy son
of Aesculapius, Dr Cave, who quickly extracted the aching tooth=="But left a mighty void behind,
That time(130) will never fill".

In the evening of the same day Dr Mitchell took the Senior
class out mineralizing. We went directly to Scotts hole &
the Dr. led us all over Old Sol. Morgan's plantation for
the purpose of showing us the old red sandstone. But
most of the boys paid more attention to the discussion
of the internal properties & instrinsic value of old Sol's
melons than to the chemical analysis of old red
sandstone. After leaving that place where— "Morgan's wife makes butter & cheese
And Morgan drinks the whey"(131) ==Mike
led us over the hills, showing us specimens of quartz,
granite, horen-stone,(132) but particularly of old red sandstone, until not we only, but he himself was
perfecly exhausted.
P. P. Peace,(133) a school-fellow of
mine at the Caldwell Institute, (134) spent Friday evening & of
Saturday, the greater part of the day on the Hill, thereby
affording me a good excuse for snapping(135) from Society,
which I did not fail to take advantage of.

Returning from breakfast Saturday morning, my atten–
–tion was attracted by seeing an unusual number of students
in the street before Miss Nancy's tavern & evidently in great
commotion. Ere it was possible for me to reach the place

a pistol went off & I soon became aware that a fight
was in progress. The parties were Bunch & the younger
Rice, both members of the Phi Society. The insult had been
given by B. during the session of their society the night previous,
& R. met him for the first time thereafter in the street & at the
place above-stated. Bunch was almost universally despised
& the few friends that he did possess, deserted him, to a man, in
his time of need. Jno Jack, his cousin alone stood by him &
cheered him, in his hopeless conflict with a man, much his
superior in size. But his voice was scarely heard amid
the shouts of==Beat him Rice==Kill the d. . . . .ned rascal &. Bunch sustained the unequal fight for some minutes when
he received a blow which made him recoil several feet
& fall. As he did so, his eye rested on a pistol he had
dropped at the first of the fight, which he seized & fired, not at the man he was fighting, but through mistake, at
his brother.(136) The ball merely grazed his hip & passed
on without farther injury. In the short pause that followed
this deed, I reached the spot. Bunch's friends wished to
take him away, but the other party would not permit
them. They even denied him a stick, while Rice was armed
with a tremendous one, & his friends were so few that
they dared not give him one. They fought thus unequally
for several minutes & Bunch was well nigh beaten to a mummy, when the Gov. & other members of the Faculty came up
& dispersed the crowd & seperated the combatants.

Bunch was a rascal & deserved his beating but it
was really a shame to compel him to fight at so great
a disadvantage. They have both been dismissed.(137)
On Tuesday I answered Laura's letter of the previous week.
Ere I completed it I received one from Augusta, in answer
to mine, written nearly three months previous. No absences
from prayers or recitation this week. Last night Burke
Cabarrus(138) & myself went to old Bartimeus's, who was not at
home & therefore got none of the stuff that Mutz had in his
old black juuk. I carried a tickler full of Cordial, for
Aunt Jenny & the rest of 'em. But these three men & the
acts that they did & how they sung, behold are they not
written in the Chronicles of the mighty men of the West.

Done on Sunday the 5th Sept. 1841 after retiring from church.

Notes

Notes

[September 19, 1841]

Sept 19nth. Nothing occurred, for the first part of the past week, of
a nature, such as to justify a place among these records. Peter, William
& Jno(148) Conrad passed through this place on Thursday, on their way to
Raleigh. They arrived to dinner & remained about two hours.
Alfred & I walked with them to the Hall & else-where & showed
them whatever was curious(149) to be seen upon this classick hill.
Jno informed me that he had lately visited the Davidson mines
& had heard Mr King remark, that he had received a letter
from the Dialectic Society, requesting a present of minerals, to
place in their cabinet & that it was his intention to comply
with the request. I was rejoiced to hear this, as I had
begun to despair of ever receiving an answer to our letter.
I received from home through the politeness of the above
gentlemen, a pair of pumps, & some cakes, but no money.
Also a letter from Laura & a private & confidential one, from
Cousin Saml(150), all about matrimony & such like. "The
present, says he, is the most critical period of my life. I have
found at length a damsel, who pleaseth me well & I am think–
–ing seriously of marrying. If I determine to do so & succeed
with her, you shall have the pleasure of waiting on me
in your vacation." Pink & myself were waltzing on Friday
morning & while we were turning with the velocity, almost
of Charybdis, he suddenly attempted to throw me on the
bed, but failed & threw me over the head of it, where I struck
my shin against Sylla, or which is pretty much the same, the
edge of the door-lock & I fear it has bruised the bone dangerously.

For the last two or three days my intestines have been in a state, the
most pitiable. They foment & growl most lamentably & neither
salts or seidlitz(151) have, as yet, been able to extend to them
any alleviation. Digestion appears to have almost ceased to
perform its functions & yet I am continually called to Con–
–gress(152) on false alarms. Between this & my lame leg I am
acted upon by two very powerful & conflicting forces.
The first & most powerful, tends to urge me to rapid motion,
while the other opposes strong resistance to a change of state.
The consequence is, that when I am called to Congress on bu–
–siness, which requires despatch, I am compelled to exert myself
to the utmost, to reach there in time & even then there is great
danger of arriving too late. Thus am I in a most precarious
situation. Yesterday morning I was compelled to snap(153) from
prayers, on account of the inflamation of my leg. I am confident
that this is my first absence this year. I received yesterday
a paper from Miss Train, entitled=="The Universal Yankee Nation—
The greatest paper in all creation.(154) It is published in Boston.
Mutz went to Ned's last night, but K, K. All the three
girls were there & wanted to see me. Mutz will return to night & I shall go with him. I received a letter from George
Rounsaville this evening. He tells me that Almira Salmon(155)
expects to return to Lexington. I hope she will for she is a
great white-woman. I retired from church to write this.

Done on Sunday the 19nth Sept 1841.

Notes

[September 26, 1841]

Sept 26th. He of Cabarrus (156) & myself accomplished the intended excur–
–sion to Ned's, spoken of upon the opposite page. Night had scarcely
spread her sable mantle over our hemisphere, when we mounted, both
upon Wood's(157) stallion & after threading our slow & devious way among
the numerous by-paths which intersect the woods in the rear of the
College buildings, we emerged into the open road. Then we applied the
scourge & scoured along the road with headlong speed until we reached
our destination. While there we met with all the success, we could have
anticipated & about midnight we roused our steed most unceremoni–
–ously from his slumbers & returned. My companion expressed himself
as having been in clover, while I was perfectly disgusted, & fully
resolved in my own mind, never to repeat the visit. On Thursday
I replied to cousin Sams(158) letter of the previous week. J— C—ll(159) made a speech
in the hall on last Friday night, declaring himself a DVV(160) & saying that
he had been accused of showing partiality in the hall to the members of his
club, while president of the Society. These accusations, he said, had been
made behind his back & he had heard of them by accident. I had mad[e]
such remarks, but it was with the expectation, & almost with the cer–
–tainty that he would hear of them. I saw him after the session
of society & told him that his conduct justified me in saying what
I did—that he certainly did show a partiality, although it might
not have been his intention to do so. He said that he surely did
not intend it, & we parted without any ill feeling. Yesterday was
Slade's birth day—he went to Hillsboro & returned in the evening,
pretty tight, bringing with him 3 bottles of elegant Nash brandy.(161)
Pink & Slade got most gloriously tight that night.

Myself, with a few others were moderately so. We paid Peter &
J Graham a visit at their room in the village(162) & finding there a good
fire, we levied large contributions upon Mike's patch of roasting-ears
the tempting promimity of which, was too powerful to be resisted. We
soon found that roasting them by Pete's fire was too slow a process
so we all took our corn & repaired to No. 23 of the west—the abode
of Dusenberry & McBee, where there was a kettle which those
gentlemen keep for just such purposes, as to boil corn "et cetera."
We always have plenty of salt on hand for any emergency & the boiled
corn was great. We also had chickens & an opossum supper.
The old Nash [brandy] again began to circulate pretty freely & every
thing went on merrily. McBees main desire, was to show the U. States
that he could walk the line made by a joint in the flooring, or any
chalk line in the U. States. Matters went on thus until midnight
when Slade began to vomit & we put him to bed. McBee was
still high in the wind & began to halloe at some other drunken fel–
–lows in the campus, & one of them cursed him. Mac, himself is pretty
good at that & he let himself out. He was most outrageous mad
& he cursed a full hour. Bell was the man who cursed him.
Pink saw him next day, but he denied all recollection of it, saying
that he was tight & that it was not his intention to insult him.
This morning Mr. Kenneday,(163) high sheriff of Davidson passed through
this place on his way to Raleigh. He gave me 15 dollars. It is so
seldom that I read a novel now a days that I must mention my perusal this week of Scotts "Redgauntlet."(164)

Done on Sunday the 26th Sept. 1841.

Notes

[October 3, 1841]

Sunday Oct 3rd. The reports were made out last Monday. Mine was tolerable
on Astronomy, very respectable on Greek & respectable on French, Chemis–
–try & Political Economy.(165) There has never before, since my connection with
the institution, been such general dissatisfaction with the reports.
Several speak of leaving, on account of the injustice done them. Bellan–
–fant has already left, but it is thought he will return. Horace
&Johnny are the men upon whom the most bitter invectives have been pour–
–ed. It is really frightful to hear the dreadful imprecations & anathemas
that are daily invoked upon their heads. I answered George's let–
–ter on Tuesday. Yance, Gooly, Pete & myself went to hunt opossums on
Thursday night. The moon shone with intense brightness & scarce a
clowd passed over her pale, cold visageߞher rays pierced the deep
glens & lighted up the dense glades through which we passed. Jack
Merritt was our "Grand Maitre de la chæsse" & we met him at
the appointed "rendez-vous" a short time after Phoebus had sunk
to his resting place behind the western hills. His companion,
Bowman was "Un grand chien" & it was but few minutes until the
shrill bark, which rung at intervals through the woods, announced
that the game was up. The trail extended about half a mile & at
length terminated in an almost impenetrable briar thicket,
in the centre of which stood a clump of trees so densely
covered with vines as entirely to exclude the piercing moonbeam[s.]
At the foot of one of them, crouched the dusky form of Bowman
—his eyes fixed upon its waving top & the deadly hatred of his
race to the opossum tribe, depicted upon every lineament of his
speaking countenance. Jack mounted into the tree & soon the

joyous sounds "I got him by the tail" broke from his lips. At once 3
cheers for Jack & 3 times 3 for Bowman, arose, so long & loud that
"Rocks re-echoed & the hills replied"; and the sounds still lin–
–gering, were reverberated along the winding vales, until, at
length, one by one, they died away in the distance. Jack threw
the animal to the ground, but, luckily for himself, he "fell among
thorns," (166) or rather briars, & made his escape, before Bowman, whose
love for briars "was less than his" could claim acquaintance with
him. But our canine friend was not to be foiled thus easily; for
with, the tree as a centre & a radius of about twenty yards in length,
he began to describe according to the most approved method, the
circumference of a circle; but scarce had he measured the
arc(167) of a quadrant, when he struck the trail & again struck off
in swift pursuit. The cunning opossum was again compelled to take
refuge in a tree. But "behold the axe was laid unto the root & all
its branching honors were fast tumbling to the dust"(168) when O!
horrid mischance! it struck a neighboring tree & our friend
with "the hair on" fell heavily to the earth; & while the falling
tree prevented his immediate apprehension, he disappeared
so mysteriously, that Bowman could not again find his(169) "vestigia"
although Jack "couraged" him with all the powers of his magic
voice. Foiled, but not discouraged, Bowman(170) again began
his evolutions, & in about two hours we caught a couple
of the varmentsߞone of them from under the ground. While
tracking the first opossum, in jumping a branch, my mother's
son, after lighting on the opposite bank, fell over a super- –fluous dog that was in the crowd & was precipitated into
a mud-hole, to the great injury & detriment of his "inexpressi–
–bles." Also while loping along with his eyes fixed upon the
stars, he fell over Bowman, who was barking with his head
underground, at a 'possum, & had well-nigh killed both him–
–self & the dog. On Friday night the Seniors were excused from
attendance on the Hall in order that they may have time to write
their speeches. I have not yet fixed upon a subject, but must
do so forthwith as there only remains about 3 weeks in which to
write my speech. After society adjourned, Pink Gooly Yance
& I walked down to Pete's room(171) & after sitting for half an hour, our
old friend Jack, appeared, with one of the 'possums we caught
the previous night, handsomely dressed & with a plentiful supply
of sop & 'taters. It is needless to say, that a warm discussion
took place. It was a great supper & Jack Merritt-ed credit.
Saturday was the birth-day of both Bob Dick & Bulow & at night
they gave a treat of a turkey, 2 ducks, pickles, preserves, & all
other nescessary accompaniments—specially coffee. I did ample
justice "meo more"(172) to each & every particular article. There
were several fellows present, from the 3d passage of the East a–
–mong whom was our old friend Tobe.(173) He shone pre-eminent that
night, for wit & humour, which was probably owing to certain
honey-dreams in which he had been indulging. Ourself also
had a taste of them same. No absences this week, except
from church & then I was not marked.

Done on Sunday the 3d Oct 1841.

Notes

[October 10, 1841]

Oct. 10nth 1841. I have done nothing as yet towards writing a
speech, but have chosen for my theme, the "Present condition of the
practice of medicine in N Carolina." To write a speech for the first time &
one too that is to be spoken before an intellectual & severely critical
assembly, is, to me, a task of "fearful magnitude & startling respon–
–sibility." But if I would win, for myself, a sheepskin & the honourable
title of "Bachelor of Arts" I must e'en brace myself to the task.
The week has passed with very little adventure of any kind. Dr
Mitchell, a short time since, received a very fine selection of
Galvanic & Electro-Magnetic instruments & on Wednesday, he
showed the class some striking experiments. Several young
ladies of the village were present & the Dr. remarked that we
could pay no higher compliment to a young lady than to call
her an Electro-Magnet. & Rufus(174) went to Ned's last
night—they wanted me to go with them, but I had "some fish to fry."
Slade, Yance, Gooly, Turner, Hack(175), Pink & myself, Nat Hunt
& his fiddle went, Fishing last night—Pink & some others went
by the "King-dom" & brought Em with them to the Fishery . Some Philo's
were there among whom was Pool McClese, big Rice(176) & Pete
Holmes with his sore toe, but they very prudently, kept in the
back-ground. Yesterday a negro was hung at Hillsboro(177) —a
goodly number of students were there & several of them came by,
& stopped at the Fishery , to have some some fun, before their
return to college. We had a mighty red-dance & upon the
whole, it was about the worst that ever I staid all night at
anybody's house, to see a pretty girl. We left before 10. oclock

& coming to Em's, she gave us cold potatoes & the best pickles
I have eaten for some time. Snag Allison & the Phi's fished all night
& S—g caught a gudgeon & perhaps something else that he would
rather not have caught. My room-mate hung to E— like a
leach. This evening I received a letter from Laura, informing
me that our own family were well, but that sickness was abroad
in the land. It announced the death of Jno L Hargrave of our
town & also of Albert McNeely of Mocksville.(178) She says that
she has a great variety of jellies, preserves & other good eatables
& also plenty of excellent blackberry wine for me when I get
home. Lafayette's vacation comes on shortly & I tremble for
the consequences if he comes in contact with the above articles
—the wine more especially. Laura also says that Mrs Foster
intends giving me a party this winter vacation—good.
I long for it to come—I'll have some fun or burst right
wide open. No absences at all this week except from
church. In my report that was sent home Laura informs
me that I am marked as absent once from prayers, twice from
church & not at all from recitation.

This record was made on Sunday, "meo more,"(179)
the 10nth day of Oct. & in No 23 of the west,
"meo manu."(180)

Yesterday Gov Jno Owen
of Bladen, died at Pittsboro, as pure a man, says
Gov Swain, as he ever knew.

Transcribed on Tuesday 12th}

Notes

[October 17, 1841]

On Monday the Senior Class commenced the study of
Abercrombie's Mental Philosophy.(181) The 1st chap. takes up & refutes the
doctrine of materialism. They contend that the mind is matter
& argue from that, that it will be resolved into its constitutent parts
by death, like the body. Thus they entirely destroy the doctrine
of a future state & make man, the noblest work of nature, like
the beasts that perish. The Gov. remarked at recitation, "That
the proper study of mankind, is man";(182) but, says he, the principal
study of young men is woman. On that night I went hunting
but learning by some means, that Pete expected an opossum
supper at his room about 8, O.C, I retraced my steps. Tuesday
I wrote to my father. Tom Slade, Phi Henderson & myself went
hunting on Wednesday night with my old friends Jack & Bowman.
Peter also was with us. We soon became tired of hunting & retur–
–ned home after catching one 'possum. Jack continued to
hunt & I understand, caught 2 more, in a very short time.
We also "met a 'possum in the road" that night,—Slade bought
it & sitting down by the road-side, amid the glare of torch–
–es, we ate it with as much zest as if t'were at a royal banquet
Friday I wrote to Laura, in reply to two letters of hers.
On Monday I had my head examined by a Phrenologist.
He is both deaf & dumb. He has been about college
several days & nearly all the students are getting
their bumps felt. I believe in the science to some
entent, but not to the degree that it has been carried.
He has hit my character & disposition in some things
but in others, I think he has erred. Here is his report.

Phrenological Report(183)

Amativeness = 4 Philoprogenitiveness 4 Concentrativeness(184) 3 Constructivness 3 Adhesiveness 4 Acquisitiveness 3+ Secretiveness 3+ Combativeness 3 Destructiveness 3 Self Esteem 3 Love of approbation 4 Benevolence 4 Veneration 3 Firmness 3 ½ Conscientiousness 3 Cautiousness 4 Hope 3 Wit 3 ½ Wonder 3+ Ideality 3+ Imitation 2 Individuality 3 ½ Eventuality 3 Locality 3+ Number 4 Order 3 + Time 3 Tune 3 ½ Language 3 ½ Form 3 Weight 3 Size 3 Color 4 Comparison 3+ Causality 4 Perception 3 ½(185)

Scale from 1 to 5

2 stands for small, 3. medium, 4 large, 5 very large
Yours is a very good head, in point of intellect respect–
–able, moral faculties quite good, passions moderate,
You have some taste for light reading, paintings, poetry
&c &c, You are cautious, your temperament is nervous and
active, You are not a great hoper, You are rather disposed
to look on the dark side of things, or in other words not a sanguine
calculator, Your mathematical talents are middling, You
are fond of music but no musician, firm without
being stubborn, You set just about a proper value on money
sometimes lack self-confidence—

You are a well disposed, reflecting, peaceable, benevolent
orderly young man, with good intellectual powers—

Quaere. What profession should I study?

Ans, No particular one is indicated by your head.

Ques, Will I make a good husband? Yes, but disposed
to be jealous—

Woodward.
Phrenologist

Mrs Nunn has had corn regularly for dinner until the last day or two.

Last night I went over & slept with Alfred. When I
went to prayers this morning, the first object that met my
astonished gaze, was a great calf, stationed in the
desk occupied by Ralph & the Judge, when calling
the roll. It was amusing to see the astonishment(186) of
the fellows & hear their expressions of surprize, when
their eyes fell upon the calf, that had been so unexpect–
–edly elevated to the office of roll-caller. Pink raised
his hands & the interjection(187) "Good God Almighty"
broke spontaneously from his lips. T. Turner gazed
for a moment & says he "Good morning, Sir" Big
Smith(188) raised a great horse-laugh & nearly every
fellow as he came in, had some remarks more or less
on the subject. Not one of them perceived Ralph, who
had cheerfully resigned his seat in favour of the present
occupant & was seated in a somewhat humbler situation. Prof.
Green made a speech & said that he could not worship God in a house so
desecrated. I went to church to day for a rarity. Done on Sunday 17nth Oct.

Notes

[October 24, 1841]

Oct 24th. Procrastination, that bane of thousands has been
whispering in my ear all the week that there is time enough yet
to write my speech & so eagerly have I listened to her syren voice
that, my oration is scarcely begun. How fast the weeks glide away
vacation will soon be here & then—well what then?—God grant
that nothing may happen which shall sadden the meeting with friends & all
I hold most dear—May the meeting be a happy one & may my
fond anticipations of pleasure be amply realized. Last
night witnessed the disruption of the singing-school—I attended
& obtained an introduction to Miss Mildred Pratt & of course
saw her safely home. I received another letter from Griffin
on Wednesday, informing me that he had seen Mary & told
her all that I wrote to him about. She wants to see me
very bad & insists on my writing to her, but that I shall
never do. Her father does not intend to move away this
fall & I shall probably see her next vacation. If so I trem
–ble for her virtue, if indeed she has any—of which there are
many doubts. My passions are unused to restraint & she
is so warm—so passionate & withal so yielding in
her disposition that I see no way of escape, without com
–mitting the unpardonable sin against love & gallantry.
It is not in my nature to thwat the inclinations of melting
maids. I retired from church to day. No other
absences. I wrote to my father this week.

Done on Sunday 24th Oct 1841.

Song

Notes

Notes

[October 31, 1841]

Oct 31st==At the recitation in Mental Philosophy on Monday
the Gov. defined wit to be "The discovery of hidden resemblances" & imagina–
–tion to be "The unreal combination of real things." Tuesday morning
was cold & bracing to the nerves—it awakened new life within me
& recalled thoughts of hunting & skating & hog-killing & every thing
associated with a winter vacation. At breakfast Mrs Nunn met
us at the door & in a manner so polite & dignified, motioned us to
the sideboard, whereon was placed honey & a full decanter, that
it was not in our hearts to slight the kind invitation. The exciting
beverage contributed still more to whet our already sharpened ap–
–petites & when at length we were seated around a table which
groaned beneath a load of delicious substantials, the biscuits
& butter & beefsteaks & other indispensables, disappeared in a
manner most marvellous to behold. By Thursday's mail I
received a letter from Lafayette in answer to mine, written a short
time ago. He is now at home spending his vacation. The boy
has transferred to me, all his claims upon(194) the fair damsel over
the way & professes to care no more for the girls than for "the
dust that is blown about by the winds of heaven." Jemmy
"says he" "let me warn you from running into their snares for on
them many a promising youth has been wrecked." Fayette's idea
of being wrecked in a snare, is, by the way, quite a novel one.
Prof. Gretter(195) of the Caldwell Institute(196), was on the Hill du–
–ring the first part of the week. I went to see him at Prof.
Phillips's & had a long chat with those two mathematical
prodigies, in old Bull's study. I had cigars & we all smoked.

Yesterday Colvert & Faison of the Phi's & Wimbush of the Di's
were sent off for ringing the bell the night previous.(197)
I received a letter to day from my father, containing
twenty dollars, through the politeness of ar Alexander.
Also one by the mail from George Rounsaville containing
all the news. Among other things Mr. Conrad married
his third wife, on Thursday night, in the person of Miss Betsy
Nicholson, the sister of his late wife.(198) George says that Mrs
Caldcleugh intends removing to her house in town as soon as
"her wheat is sown." Also that Cousin Saml(199) has just returned
crest-fallen from a visit to Shuck's. Poor Sam. My Senior
Speech which has lain so long in embryo is now slowly pro–
–gressing. I snapped(200) from church to day & Alfred answered
for me. No other absences.

Oct 31st 1841.

Notes

[November 7, 1841]

Nov. 7nth The last week has passed away almost unconsci–
–ously. I forgot to take notice of events as they occurred & now I
can scarcely recal any thing to note down in this weeks record.
On Thursday, however, Peter Alfred & myself, each received a
letter from Lexington. A & myself went to P's room(201) at night &
we all compared notes. The letters referred to the manner in
which we should reach home. P & A– were ordered to travel
by stage as far as Greensboro, where Aunt Mary, would send
a carriage to meet them. My father intends going to Synod
at Fayetteville(202) & will call by for me on his return & take
me home. My letter was from Augusta. She says that a
piece of news had just reached her—which was, that no less
a person than Miss Carolina Sowers(203) intended to give me a great
quilting sometime during next vacation. Hurrah for the
Dutch girls—Hurrah for the sweet, plump—rosy-cheek–
–ed one that I waited upon so gallantly last July. On
Friday I wrote to my father. There was no preaching
to day, from some cause or other. To night Turner, Pink
& myself took a walk out to Strayhorn's & staid about half
an hour. On getting up to leave, I snatched one burning kiss
from Nancy's pouting lips, at the imminent risk of getting
my pate mashed with the shovel. No absences during the
week.

November the 7nth 1841.

Notes

[November 15, 1841]

Nov. 15nth. Some time last week I forwarded to Miss Train, with
my most respectful compliments, the address, delivered at this place
by Mr. James Bruce, of Va.(204)

Part of the catalogues arrived, during the week.(205) The Seniors
received three apiece, for the present. I hooked five more,.
I handed my speech to Mr Green for correction, on Saturday
morning( & received it from his hands this evening, with a few
verbal corrections on the face of it. Pink also handed in his
at the same time & it was returned to him also this evening.
I went with Old Snag last night to Strayhorn's—there we
found [Gum] Steel(206) & Borden, who were doing their prettiest with
Nanny . Snag & I determined to outstay them & to that end(207), we
quietly threw ourselves upon the bed & composed ourselves to sleep.
They left about ten, o,clock & we were left undisputed masters
of the field. My part of the drama, was to keep the old woman
in chat while my companion paid his suit to the daughter.
I succeeded to admiration, but Snag, from some cause or other
failed in his attempts upon Nanny. We returned to our rooms
about an hour after midnight. I went to church on
Sunday. No absences this week.

Done on Monday the 15nth Nov. with the most
indifferent carelessness. — —

Notes

[November 21, 1841]

Nov. 21st. On Tuesday Alfred & Peter, each received letters
with the information, that my father could not call by for me
on his return from Fayetteville & that I must come home in the
stage to Greensboro. with A & P., where carriages would meet
us. Alf. & I sent off nearly all our catalogues to the girls in
Lexington. I have very nearly committed my speech to
memory. Its length is 5 pages of foolscap. Our class had
a meeting a short time since & it was resolved that we pe–
–tition the Faculty to permit us to speak at night, instead
of in the afternoon, as heretofore. The petition was granted.(208)
It was also resolved that each member of the class, should
contribute 50 cts for the purpose of providing an oyster
supper on the last night of the session, for the exclusive
benefit of the Senior Class. A committee of ways &
means was(209) appointed & instructed to provide also
plenty of wine & such like & to extract from each one
of the speakers, for the purpose of lighting the chapel
during speaking, either one sperm candle or a box of
tallow. On Friday evening the Faculty gave us a snap.(210)
Last night there was another frolic at the fishery. Girls
were scarce & I put on an old frock & we had a glorious
dance. Snag & Slade came very near fighting, about some
foolishness, but we prevailed on them to make friends,
after some tine. Came home about twelve, after breaking
down the old woman's bed & kicking up a pretty muct of a
dust. Pete received a letter this evening containing $15..00 for me.
No absences this week. Retired from church to day. Sunday 21st Nov.

Notes

[November 27, 1841]

Saturday Nov. 27nth. The first part of the past week was devoted to the
examination exclusively.(211) That of the Senior Class ended on Tuesday
evening. Speaking commenced on that night. Lewis, Ruffin, Bryan Sum–
–merill, Haigh, J. Campbell, Hartwell & Pickens, I believe, were
the speakers. Barringer, Ruffin, Harriss, R. Campbell, Martin,
& Mullins spoke on the next night. Smith,(212) Dusenbery, Wilson
Tomlinson & Morrisey spoke on Thursday afternoon, in
consequence of the inclemency of the weather & the inconvenience
of walking after night. The Senior oyster supper came off
on Thursday night at Miss Nancy's. The class attended with–
–out a single exception, I believe; as might have been expected.
I left the hill that night in the stage, about 2 ’O.Clock, together
with Slade, Steel,(213) Phi Henderson, Snag, Peterr & Alfred. We
reached Greensboro. on Friday evening at 7.o.clock & I found
George Rounsaville & Mack had already arrived with carriages
to convey us home. The next morning Alfred, Peter & myself set
off for home. The rest were detained in Greensboro. We reached
home on Saturday evening about dark. Peter was unwell.
We had great eating at Mrs Nunm's during the examination
week. The above are only the bareitems of the events of the
week. I have not the inclination to enlarge upon them.

Done, in Lexington, in my own paternal mansion(214)
on Saturday night, the(215) 27nth of Nov. 1841.

Hayes & Tobe Johnson arrived here also this evening. Jack
is now here in this house & intends spending a day with me. Tobe wont.

Notes

[December 4, 1841]

On Sunday morning all the boys who were detained
in Greensboro except Steel passed through this place. Tobe Johnson left
Lexington immediately after breakfast that morning in
spite of cold & the consumption & my entreaties. Jack went
with me to church & knocked about until evening & he too
started off with a view of reaching Salisbury(216) that night
although it was snowing with a vengeance. Bulow Erwin
arrived on Sunday morning in the stage & remained in
Lexingtonuntil Tuesday morning. [Gum] Steel(217) passed
through on that morning. After breakfast I mounted my
horse, Stanly & paid a visit to the lead mines in com–
–pany with a Mr Woodruff, a New. Yorker, who is tak–
–ing the tour of all our largest Carolina mines with
a view of purchasing one & entering largely into the
business. Mr King informed me, that he had wrtten
the politest letter of which he was capable, to the D. S. [Dialectic Society]
in answer to theirs requesting a present of minerals,
& assuring them that he would with pleasure comply
with their request. We never received that letter.
We did not reach home until night. On Friday mor–
–ning J. Caldwell passed through—I did not see him.
I have spent the week in riding about & going back
& forth to the weavers for mother. Peter is yet
very sick. I have not as yet paid a single visit
for the purpose of seeing any of the girls.

Dec. 4th 1841.

Notes

[December 11, 1841]

Dec 11nth. On Monday my father had a big corn shucking.
At night after the work was completed & while supper was
preparing I sent for A, Foster & some others & bringing the
negoes up into the yard we set them to dancing. I with,
with the other boys also chose our partners from among
the bright array of "Afric's sable daughters" & joined
the motley crew. All lights were extinguished. On
that night accident made Mrs F–(218) indebted to me
$2.00. The debt is a bad one & I shall probably never
call on her for payment. I spent Tuesday at
Old Mrs Paynes.(219) —took dinner at Dr. Paynes(220) on
Wednesday & supper at Mabry's.(221) I have spent
most of the week idly—principally in hunting
partridges—only caught 20 during the week.
I drove 5 birds & a hare into the net at the
same time. I wrote to Lafayette on Friday.
& sent him some books by the stage to present
to his Society. I wrote to Pink McBee to
day. Peter Rounsaville has been very sick since
his return home. His health is now getting
better & it is expected that it will be entirely
restored in a short time.

Done on Saturday the 11nth Dec 1841. Lexington.

Notes

[December 18, 1841]

Dec 18nth. On Monday I went with my father to
Mocksville for the purpose of getting my commencement
suit made. Meroney had so much work on hand
that he was unable to make my clothes. I did not
see Mary. We returned on the evening of the same
day & had to travel about 8 miles of the way
during a severe & long continued rain, without
even an umbrella to shelter us—I having left mine
in Mockville. Tuesday was my birth-day(222) —memo–
–rable for the capture of 30 partridges & for
the completion of my twentieth year. On Thursday
Watson, Ham Hargrave, Wilsen(223), & myself went hun
–ting in the Jerseys(224). We went straight to Jno
Millers,(225) who has the best brandy in the county
Jno set out his decanter & after seeing us
hit it to our satisfaction, went to show us
where the birds were to be found. It was one
of these rainy drizzly(226), muddy days & we
brought home 74 birds. Mabry also was
along with his gun & shot a very large hawk.
About sun-down we returned to Miller's & took supper
& came home after dark. By the bye Jno Miller is a
doused clever fellow. I have been with the
girls a very little this week—became acquainted with
Frances Hogan.(227) Johnson the new tailor is making my clothes.

Done on Saturday the 18nth Dec 1841.

I shot 7 birdds & a rabbit to day in the snow. Of the birds there were 2 snipes.

Notes

[December 25, 1841]

Christmas—Dec 25th. I have forgotten almost every
thing that has transpired during the week. On
one day Watson, Dickson(228) Jno & William Conrad, my
father & myself went hunting down to Jno Miller's(229)
again & caught 58 Birds. On Thursday I went
to Greensboro for the purpose of bringing Lafayette
home to spend his Christmas. It was a most dreary
day. The roads were worse, I believe, than ever I
saw them before & the rain fell without intermission.
I reached the Borough about dark. Alfred & I
packed up a box of cake, to be sent as a Christmas
present to McBee & I carried them with me &
put them on the stage at Greensboro. I saw
McNairy there & prevailed with him to spend his
Christmas in Lexington—accordingly, on the morrow
we set of & reached this place on that evening.
To day is Christmas, & a very unpleasant day it
is. We can'nt hunt & are obliged to confine
ourselves in a great measure within doors; I forgot to mention
that Cornelia Beard(230) was here all last week &
just took her leave on Monday. Jno Conrad & I
paid her a visit on Sunday night. The girl was
very much neglected. My father killed part of
his hogs on last Monday(231) —it was a great Jubilee
for the little negroes(232) & William.

Brought up to Saturday the 25th Dec 1841. Christmas

Notes

[December 31, 1841]

Friday 31st Dec. 1841. It has been very muddy rainy
& disagreeable weather all the week. Mack has
had very little enjoyment I fear. I should have men–
–tioned in last week's record that on Christmas day
he & I went round & called on most of the young
ladies of our town & thus he became acquainted
with them. On Monday night Mrs Foster gave
a party. After supper several of us slipped out
& took a glass of Penry's Madeira & on our re–
–turn were prepared to go all lengths. I talk–
–ed soft to almost every girl in the house.
I had less alloy mixed with the enjoyment
of that night than ever I had before. I went
with Elizabeth Holt to the party—neglected her
while there & then escorted her home. McNairy
, Julius Foster, Fayette, Jno & Will. Conrad, Pete, George &
Henry Rounsaville, Lewis Holt & myself were
the male part of the assembly. By the bye I should
have recorded last week that L. Holt & his cousin
Eliza arrived here on Wednesday the 22nd(233) Dec, to
spend a few days at the Dr's. They returned home last
Tuesday. Fayette, Yance, Alfred Foster & I, caught 63
birds on Wednesday, down in the Jersey's(234). Fayette
returned to school this morning. McNairy also
took his leave.

Done on Friday the 31st Dec & last day of the present year.

Notes

[January 8, 1842]

Saturday 8th Jan. 1842. Last Saturday was the first day
of the new year. Perhaps I should here, say something of the
unprofitable manner in which I spent the year that has
just closed; but I have not the inclination,—or dilate upon
the rapid flight of time & the vanity of earthly enjoyments.
Had I any faith in making good resolutions, I would
here resolve & re-resolve to make more rapid improve–
–ments in knowledge, morality, & every virtue, but I
have so often failed to comply with former resolves
that I fear to make any more. My intentions are
for good & time must determine my actions.
On Wednesday the 5th, after spending a most pleasant
vacation, I entered the stage & set off on my return
to this place. Foster & Rounsaville accompanied me.
James Irwin, Phi Henderson & Alison were in the stage.
I spent the last few minutes of my stay in Lexington
at Dr Holts. Miss Elizabeth played "come to the sunset"(235)
for me on the piano—She is a glorious girl & perhaps
some day or other— —no matter what. Elvira too
played me a tune. I remained there as long as I dared. &
then(236) pressing their hands in silence I tore myself,
away. Hastily bidding farewell to our own family,
I took one long, last, lingering look of the dear
objects that clustered about the spot where I was
born & walked reluctanctly away. I reached here on
the next evening—procured board at Nuttall's(237) & am now prepared
for study.

Jan 8th 1842. Chapel Hill. No 23 of the West.(238)

Notes

[January 30, 1842] (239)

Mary ['s] pallet un the sou[nds] of the
distant prayer-bell re-echoing among the hills
about the the depót. Pink & I after a hard race, reached
the chapel in time to answer to the second calling of our
names. When we went to prayers this morning, there were
two dead hogs in the chapel, & a dog—also dead, which some
infernal scamps had shot & placed there last night.(240) The dog
was lying in Ralph's Bull-pen & the hogs upon the elevated
platform, one on each side of the parson's desk. Some
fellow fellow remarked that it was a—dogged-hoggish
trick. I snapped(241) from church to day & McNairy answered
for me. No other absences during the week. Lewis Holt
received a box of cake from his cousin Eliza this evening &
probably she has sent me some too. I'll find out to-morrow.
I received a letter from Laura on Thursday.

Done here before our fire in No. 23 on Sunday
the 30eth Jan 1842.

Notes

Notes

[February 13, 1842] (246)

Sunday 13nth. I wrote to Lafayette at Greensboro, the first of
the week. Pink left the depót in anger, some nights ago, at Em's
treatment of him ' has not been there since—. I continued to
go, but all to no purpose until last night. Walt has been
away all the week & some one has been over there every
night to set them up & prevent me from going to bed. Nat
H[un]t, a fool [, has] made her set up 'till day-break, 3 or 4
ess a few days since. On last
not set long before Hunt
[w]aited for time to leave,
go, determined that
[E]m to say whether
—then Hunt
visit her
what her
lled to go;
th & his
through-
my (247)

Notes

[February 27, 1842]

Sunday 27th . Tuesday was the 22nd —the birthday of Washington. The
day was celebrated by the delivery of a speech by Morrisey (248) . The
procession formed in front of the S. B. & marched round by Caldwell's
monument, to the chapel. Mears was Marshall of the day.
The amount of liquor drank by the students was tremendous.
More than ⅔ds of college were intoxicated. Pink & I went over
to the [Old] East & were gloriously tight before breakfast. We kept
the thing hot throughout the day. Nutall had an excellent
dinner. Parson Green dined with us for the purpose, of preser–
–ving order & preventing us from drinking too much wine.
A member of the dined at each of the boarding houses
for the same purpose. (249) In the evening Mike [Elisha Mitchell] was passing
through the "Campus" & some drunken fellow cursed him
from Mc'Nairy's window. He came up & found the room
full of drunken students, while the sugar was scattered
about & the floor was drenched with the brandy which
had been spilled. He sat down & gave them a long talk
& went away, after giving them to understand that he would
report none of them. On Thursday, however, Dick , McNairy
Williamson , were called before the Faculty, at Mike's
instigation, & dismissed for three weeks. The two Polk's
were dismissed finally. (250) Moral - Jessie Irvine was sent off the
next day, for refusing to go up to Mr [Manuel] Fetter's table, to recite. (251)
On Friday Yance & Gooly set out on foot, for Moring's(252) —8
miles from the Hill on the Raleigh road , with the intention of
spending their three weeks there. About a dozen of us

accompanied them as far on their way as " Piny Prospect ". When
they reached Moring's, the looks of the place were not agree–
–able & an opportunity offering itself, they returned to the
Hill on the same day. At night Yance rode out to Johnson's
4 miles on the Hillsboro road & procured a very convenient
place, for a student to rusticate. (253) They moved out on yester–
–day. I went out with their baggage & helped them to fix up
their room. I was so well pleased with the place that I almost
wished that I were also dismissed. Their room is upon the
stage road, but they eat at Johnson's , whose house is ¾ths
of a mile distant. They have a gun with them & plenty of books,—
old Charley has 3 very comely daughters & in hunting, fishing
reading & keeping company with the ladies, no doubt their 3
weeks will pass away very pleasantly. Dick has gone home.
Our 3 d passage looks gloomy & desolate since they are all gone.
On the night of the 22 nd while I was yet high in the wind, I
started out to the Depót to see Miss Redness . On the way I met
Clinch , who had been to the Borough . He was so tight that
he could hardly sit in his sulkey. He pulled out a small
black juuk & I took a few swallows & went on my way
rejoicing. I staid at the Depót all night. Last night I went
again & staid until after 3. o.c. this morning. A few nights
ago I wrote a Temperance pledge for myself—signed it & nail–
–ed it up against the wall. In it I pledge myself to drink no liquor
before Senior reports are read out. Yance & Alfred(254) have also signed
it. Laura wrote to me this week.

Feb. 27 th 1842.

Notes

[March 6, 1842]

Sunday 6th March. I have been to the depót two or three times
this week. My journey thither on Friday night was an under–
–taking worthy of the famous knight of La Mancha.(255) The
gloom of Tartarus can not be darker than the night was
when I started. The whole face of the heavens, to the
very verge of the horizon, were obscured by one dense
, dark mass, which momentarily threatened to disgorge
its contents upon our earth. Aeolus too was abroad in
his might. I heard his howlings as he rode upon the storm.
But all this was not proof against the burning love—
the fierce desire, which raged within & urged me onward
"Amor vincit omnia"—"est vis immedicabilis, est rabies
insana."(256) On the way, I tore my cloak with briars, fell into
gulleys, stumbled over rocks & logs & was on the point of
stepping from(257) a high bank into the branch, when a flash
of lightning arrested my steps & showed me the locality of
the bridge. About midway the storm burst forth upon
me in all its fury, but by dint of wading & feeling, & by the
momentary glare of the lightning I at last reached the depót
—though wet & almost exausted. I did not get back to prayers, the
next morning. Last night Pink(258) & I hired horses to ride out to see Yan[ce]
& Gooly; We started, but met them at the Depót, on their way to colleg [e.]
We turned our horses & came back to college with them & flew
round(259) until pretty late. They returned to their place of so–
–journ, last night.

March 6th 1842.

Notes

[March 13, 1842]

March 13nth. Last Monday McBee was called a d—nd
fool by a freshman named Allison(260) & he knocked him over
, with a stick, for his trouble. The affair was settled by
A—s. begging Mc's pardon for calling him a fool & then
Pink asked forgiveness for striking him&a very cowardly
proceeding on the part of Allison, but it was his safest course
because the man had but few friends & even they were
worthless. Last night Mr Nic. Williams arrived at this
place with the body of his brother, the Hon. Lewis Williams
—member of Congress, from Surry, who died at Washington
about 10 days ago. Mr W– was the oldest member of the house,
having been a Congressman for 20 years. He became a
member of D. S.[Dialectic Society] in 1805. This morning a procession, composed
of the Faculty, students & villagers, formed in front of Miss
Nancy's & preceded the carriages to the outskirts of the
village, where the ranks opened & suffered them to pass
through. Six pall-bearers attended the carriage which
contained the corpse. The Di. Members wore crape on
the left arm & will continue to do so for 30 days.
I slept at the "Kingdom" on Thursday night & did not
get back to prayers next morning. Miss Redness was
in fine spirits. I was absent from church last Sabbath.
Debaters were elected on Friday night. They are C. Barbee, R Hill
Dick & J.P. Irwin(261) —not a "D v.v. among them.

Sunday 13nth 1842.

Notes

[March 20, 1842]

Sunday 20eth. I have been thrice to the depót this week.
On Friday night Em was from home & Red & I passed(262) a
a glorious night in her bed. On Tuesday night, Pink,
S. Phillips, S. Green, Irwin, Foster, Slade & myself, hired
horses & rode out to see Gooly & Yance.(263) The infernal
scamps were not at home, " on inquiry we found
that they had gone off to Hillsboro, but intended to
return that night. We sat down & played—bluff(264)
for 2 or 3 hours, but finding their return, still un–
–certain, we piled all the chairs upon their bed—stuffed
their boots with trash—wrote our names with the
smoke of a candle, upon the white washed ceiling
& in fine did all the mischief in our power. When
we came away we left upon the most conspicuous
object in the room a long list of resolutions, in which
among(265) many other things, we renounced their friend
–ship—cut their acquaintance & denounced them
in a most frightful manner for Swartwouting(266) from
their place of rustication. The time for which they
were exiled from these classick scenes, expired on
Thursday & on the next day they returned to No. 21 of
the West. Dick & Hayes were also restored to the 3d
passage on the same evening. Hayes brought me a letter
from my father, with $30..00 enclosed.

Sunday, March 20ieth

Notes

[March 28, 1842]

March 28th. On Monday, just one week ago, I commenced
my Senior speech. The subject I have chosen is "The Charter Oak."(267)
It will be finished in a day or two. I went to see Red
two or three times during the week. On Friday, at 3.O.clock
in the evening, I left the Hill with Lewis Holt for the purpose
of accompaning him home & having a spree during Easter.
Pleasant also went home & Hunt & Long went with him.
We were mounted on fiery young chargers & all of us
started off together at full speed. Lewis & I parted
company with the rest about 7 miles before we reached
his grandfather's(268). It was past eight when we dismounted
at our journey's end. We found the old gentleman in good
health & spirits as also Miss Eliza & the whole family.
On Saturday, we strolled about until dinner & in the
evening Miss E— entertained—at least one of us.
Some part of the night was spent in dyeing Easter eggs.
I forgot to mention that in the evening we visited a Dutch
neighbor & his blooming daughter presented me with two
beautiful red eggs. On Sunday the family attended church
at a German Reformed meeting-house about 4 miles distant.
Of course I was the gallant cavalier who rode by Miss—
Eliza's palfrey. As we were returning from church, we
met Hunt & Long who had attended a singing school with
P. Holt & left him to ride over & see how Lewis & myself were
enjoying ourselves. They slept that night at Lewis's home & by
daylight next morning we were on our way to the Hill—. . .
My horse threw me over his head at Haw river. Monday 28th 1842.

Notes

[April 3, 1842]

April 3d. My speech was finished on Wednesday.—handed
to Mr Green on Thursday & returned to me on the following
day. Its length is only 3 pages, but short as it is, it cost
me more labour than any other composition, I ever at–
–tempted. Pink went to Raleigh the first of the week '
had, those broken front teeth of his, extracted. A great
many of the boys went to the Borough [Hillsborough] to see the Circus on
yesterday. Yance, Irwin, Long & myself chartered
Lewis's family carriage, driver & all, & travelled in
superior splendour. We put up at the tavern, drank
Madeira & splurged about town until supper. At dark
the Show began & we went in but Irwin was so tight
['] kept so much noise that I scarcely saw or heard
a thing. I was rather tight also & kept considerable
noise. I expected every moment that we would get
into a row. The clown said some right bad things,
[&] the Circus passed off as such performances usually
do. We went back to the tavern & Irwin began to
fly round(269). He would have more wine. He reared
& charged & wanted to fight. It was nearly midnight
when we started for home. We got Irwin in the car–
–riage with difficulty, then he wanted to drive & kept
such a noise, that the horses had to be held to keep
them from running away. I saw little Billy Kennedy(270)
in the Borough—he is going to the Raleigh convention.

Sunday April 3d 1842.

Notes

[April 9, 1842]

Sat. 9nth. Mary has left the depot & gone to live at
Herrings. Yance & I went out on Monday night. Mary did not act
to please me & I came away with a determination never to
see her again. On Thursday Robt Hargrave(271) passed through in
the stage, but I did not see him. His waggon also passed through
on its way to Raleigh to bring home some blooded stock & brought
Alfred & myself some clothes & eatables. On Friday night Gov.
Morehead staid at Miss Nancy's. Miss Elizabeth Grey & Miss Eliza
Mebane(272) were travelling with him on their way to Greensboro.
Myself & several others went down. Dr Saml Holt was also there.
After sitting some time Yance & I engaged the girls to visit the
halls next(273) morning. Accordingly we went down before breakfast
& escorted them thither. The Gov. showed us a half-dollar, fresh from
the mint, which he had been coined from silver obtained from Kings
mine in Davidson & which is the first North Carolina silver that
has ever yet been coined. On Monday the speakers were chosen.
Those who did not speak last session(274) are compelled to do so this,
with the exception of Hayes & Quince(275). Nine others were wanting to
complete the number & the lots fell upon Barringer, J & R Campbell,
Harriss, Hartwell, Lewis, Morrisey, Mullins & Ruffin. R. Campbell,
Hartwell, Lewis & Morrisey, obtained substitutes. They are respectively,
Smith, Summerell, Tomlinson & Dusenbery I finished "Ten thousand a
year"(276) this week, a novel of more than 500 pages.

Sat. April 9nth 1842.

Notes

[April 17, 1842]

Notwithstanding all my intentions to the contrary, I went out &
became reconciled to Mary. I know not how long it will last,
probably not more than a week or two. Robt Hargrave(277) remained on
the Hill from 10.o.c. in the morning until 5. in the evening on Monday
, it being too warm to travel with his cattle during the heat of the
midday. He had a genuine Durham bull & heifer, a Berkshire boar
& 2 sheep of a superior breed. He brought me a letter containing
620..00. After repeated petitions the Faculty consented to let us speak
at night. On Tuesday night the speakers were, Barringer, Caldwell
Holmes, Tomlinson & Ashe. On the next night, Ruffin, Smith, Jack
Harriss, Mullins & Coleman. I did not attend the speaking on
that night, but went to Herrings. On Thursday night, McBee
Bell, Spaight, J. Campbell, Summerell, Green & myself were
the speakers. On Friday night the Seniors were excused from
attendance on the hall, for the remainder of the session(278). After
society, Dewy & myself went to Herrings & did not return 'till
nearly day. Last night I finished "Oliver Twist,"(279) after sitting
up until nearly midnight. The consequence was that I snapped(280) from
prayers this morning. There is no preaching to day on account
of the rain. I wrote to my father& Laura on Monday, by Mr.
Hargrave. I know not how it is, but my journal has been
very much neglected all this session. Nothing but naked facts
are recorded, without a word of comment. I must really
take more interest in it for the future.

Sunday. 17nth April 1842.

Notes

[April 24, 1842]

Sunday 24th. The week has passed away without a single
incident occurring, to break the dull monotony of a College
life. I have been pretty busy all the time, but my reading
was wholly of a light nature. I read "James" last novel
"The Jaquerie"(281) & am now perusing "The Pickwick Papers."(282)
Peter Rounsaville has been a little unwell this week, being(283)
confined to his room for 2 or 3 days. I was not very well
myself for several days. On Friday night Slade moved
that diplomas be granted to McBee(284) & myself. It was
carried & we succeeded in obtaining very good one's.
Yesterday, Grier, Foster & I went fishing. We commenced about
a mile above Merritt's mill(285) & fished down—all the time
beneath the oppressive heat of a burning sun. We had
14 biscuits & fared plentifully if not sumptuously. We
caught nine pertch, a cat-fish & a variegated crowd
of little gudgeons, to insignificant to capitulate. We
went in a swimming & returned in time for supper.
Dr Wilson is on the Hill with his oldest daughter,—Miss Jane
& his sonAlexander. Yance & Gooly & S. Person are flying
round(286) with her & Boston & Cornelia Phillips.(287)

The ball-tickets have arrived—I shall send one to every
girl in Lexington or burst. Mr Wilson will preach
in the old chapel to night.

Done here in No 23. this the 24th day of April 1842.

Notes

[April 30, 1842]

Saturday. April 30eth. All the Dialectic members of the Senior
class have signed my "Diploma," but three—I did not ask
Ashe to do so, because he himself did not apply for a "Diploma,"
& Barringer(288) " Caldwell I do not speak to. The last
week was devoted to the final examination of our class, on
every study, but "Law." The Gov. wishes to examine us on
that, before the trustees & chief men of the state on Tuesday
of commencement. The final senior report was read out
at prayers this morning.(289) Bell, Bryan, Morisey & Quince
were entitled to draw for the valedictory. Quince
at his own request, was excused from speaking & Barring–
–er was appointed, though not entitled to any distinction.
Morrisey is the valedictorian, though the lot fell
upon Bell. Bryan drew the Latin speech.(290)

There is a species of cīcāda (grasshopper) vulgarly called
locusts which appears in great numbers about
once(291) in every 14 years. During that interval they remain deep
in the earth & only come to the surface for the purpose
of propagating their race & then of dying. Within the
last week or two they have made their appearance here
& the woods are now filled with their monotonous
chirpings. I have been unwell throughout the week
being, at intervals, afflicted with a severe headache
& "Bound in the belly" all the time.

April 30th 1842.

Notes

[May 8, 1842]

May 8th. Last sunday I came to the conclusion, that I could
not spend my senior vacation on the Hill & at the same
time enjoy my health—I had no inclination to read & was
wasting away beneath the pressure of ennui, which lay like
an incubus upon my spirits. There were many reasons which
induced me to visit home & I determined to do so & also to go
on foot, as it would save expence & probably be beneficial to
my health. I packed up some clothes in a box to be sent by the
stage & on Monday morning was just on the point of starting
when C. Phillips sent me word that he was going to Lexington in
a few days, in a buggie for the purpose of getting the specimens
which Mr King promised to the Dialectic Society & that he would
give me a seat. As I always have, rather, preferred riding to
walking, when the cost was the same, his offer of course was
accepted. S. Green had a desire to see the western part of
the state & agreed to bear us company. On Thursday we left the
Hill—travelled 30 miles—& passed the night at Long's.(292) None
of the boys were at home. We reached home the next day & to my
surprise, found that every one was expecting me. When we yet
lacked 7 miles of getting to Lex. I mounted Stephen's mule & pushed
on for the purpose of surprising the family & I felt cheap
when Fayette called out "There he is—on a mule" when I rode up
to the gate. I brought my ball-tickets with me, but have not yet
given them to the girls. Yesterday, Green, Phillips, Fayette & myself went to
the mines—King treated us very politely—gave us a handsome present of
specimens for Society & an excellent dinner & I renewed my acquaintance with his
wife & above all with his daughter Triphenia. Lexington—Sunday 8th 1842.

Notes

[May 15, 1842]

Sunday. 15nth. Phillips, Green & I were invited to tea at Mr
Rankin's on Monday evening. There I became acquainted
with Julia Hogan & Miss Montgomery,(293) a niece of Dr Payne's.
On Tuesday eve G. & I took a ride with the girls. They were
Eliz. & Elv. Holt, Jane Hillyard, Laura & Miss Montgomery.
We rode nearly 5 miles along the Mockville road. Fayett[e]
& John Holt rode with us—the former on Green's mule.
P. & G. started home on Wednesday morning in spite of all
I could say & notwithstanding Mrs Payne had sent them
invitations to a party, to be given by her that evening, in
compliment to her niece.(294) Mrs Payne's soiréé passed off
with a zest unparallelled in the annals of Lexington
She had assembled in her parlour the elité of our town.
There were professional gentlemen not a few. It was
court-week & the bar contributed to swell our numbers.
I have never before seen so respectable an assemblage
of gentlemen, at a party, in our village. I, have
given ball tickets to the Misses, Caldcleugh, Augusta, Frances
& Henrietta,(295) Jane Hilyard, Sarah Mabry, Laura & Amelia Foster
Eliz. & Elv. Holt, Eliz. Grey(296) & Miss Montgomery. I yet have
one for Wilelmina Conrad who is now in Greensboro. I also
gave tickets to Saml Gaither & Dr Holt. I caught a young
rabbit this week & gave it to Amelia for a pet. Fayette &
Watson & I went hunting Sat. & caught 4 young crows. I brought
2 home & intend to try to tame them. I wrote to Alfred
by Green.

May 15nth 1842.

Notes

[May 22, 1842]

Sunday 22nd. I have fished & hunted this week with indif–
–ferent success. I shot 6 squirrels on one day that I went down
to Jno Miller's.(297) On Wednesday evening I went out to Jacob Craver's(298)
, 5 miles on the Mocksville road, & collected eight dollars &
twenty cents for my father, which is the first money I have ever
collected for him. It was the balance on a note of $75..00 which
Craver had given to Tom Crump(299) & he paid it every cent in
silver. On Friday evening I went with some girls to get straw–
–berries. We had picked a fine quantity & were returning
when we were overtaken in a tremendous storm. We had
umbrellas but they afforded very little protection. We huddled
together under the big oak at the mouth of the lane this side of
Andrew Sink's & stood the brunt of the storm for near 2 hours.
Night was coming on apace & we thought it better to start for
home & brave the raging elements, than to remain where we
were. Every step was through deep mud & water & by the
time we reached the suburbs of Lex. we looked like drowned
rats indeed. Just there Fayette met us with a vehicle—all
crowded into it & were driven into town—truly it was
a splendid sight—much better than a menagerie.
Every window was thrown up as we passed & the merry
laugh at our expense reverberated along the street.
On that morning I received a letter from Pink & Alf.
I replied to it by the mail of next morning. My crows
are both dead "Sic transit gloria mundi."(300)

Lexington May 22nd 1842.

Notes

[May 27, 1842]

Friday 27th.(301) On Tuesday I went with Dr. Johnson up to H. People's,(302)
on the river, to have a fishing spree with him. I rode Mr Adam's
horse & on the way, he stumbled & threw me entirely over
his head, without at-all injuring me. After dinner we began
to fish with a splendid new seine & with the expectation of glo–
–rious success, but there soon came up a tremendous storm
& compelled us to desist. We were wet all over & as a considerable
time elapsed before we could change our clothes I caught a
very severe cold in consequence. Thursday evening after supper
I walked with Laura & Eliza Montgomery(303) to the grave-yeard.
It was in the dim twilight & their superstitious fears did
not permit them to wander long among the mouldering
tombs of the silent dead. I felt strongly disposed to
steal away & crouch down in the dark shadow of one of those
cedars, to see how they would act, when they found themselves
alone & at such an hour, on haunted ground. We returned
& went to the Temperance meeting. There I was called upon
by Mr Kearnes & Dr Johnson(304) to make a speech & on my
declining, on the ground, that I was not a member of the society
the fools publicly called on me to sign the pledge. I was
indignant—but what could I do? If I refused to join & without
assigning a reason every body would say that I loved liquor. I did refuse
however, but remarked, that I did so, not because I was opposed
to temperance, but because I saw indications that the society
would not last & that I would not join an association of so ephem–
–eral a character. I received a letter from Pink & Alf. this morning.
Dr Holt & Elizabeth [started] to commencement this morning. Friday 27th 1842 (305)

Notes

[June 7, 1842]

On Saturday the 28 th of May [1842] I set out on my return to the
Hill to attend commencement & receive my diploma. Laura
accompanied me, & Fayette also, as far as Greensboro , where
he is at s c hool. We passed the night in G. [Greensboro] at Mrs Moring's , & after break–
–fast the next morning Jacob drove us down to Mr Holt's
& we spent the remainder of the Sabbath & the night following
with Miss Eliza Holt . There we found the Dr . & Miss Elizabeth , at
Edwin Holt's . About 10 on Monday morning we all set out again,
the Dr . having prevailed upon his brother Edwin to go with him
to the Hill . We travelled in company, about 6 miles, to Dr Mike
Holt's , where we found - Dr Sam l Holt who had also agreed
to go to the Hill . There Laura & I seperated from the rest, & went
on direct to the Hill , while the Dr & his company went on
by Hillsboro , where he had some business to transact. Laura
was invited to Prof. [James] Phillip's , but she remained there for only
a short time on account of the severe sickness of Miss Jane Wilson, (306)
who was staying there. Dr [Elisha] Mitchell invited her to his house &
there she remained during our stay at C. Hill . On Monday evening
Prof. [William] Green , who had been solicited by our class to deliver to us
a parting sermon, preached to us in the new chapel, from this
text,=="Remember this & prove yourselves men&.==. On
Tuesday morning our class was examined on Law by Gov. Swain
in the presence of Charles Manly , D. M. Barringer & several
other highly intelligent gentlemen. In the evening Dr Mitchell
who wished to have some amusement, called together the Sen–
–iors & proposed that some of the class should take the

&Nitrous Oxide& or exilarating gas. It was administered
in the grove just behind the S. B. [South Building] & students & visitors were
all, there assembled. Those of my class who took it were
Ashe , Morrisey , Mullins , Quince & Summerell . All showed
a disposition to fight but Morrisey & Summerell —the former
did nothing but walk about & look as if he were searching
for a stump upon which to mount to make a speech, &
the other jumped up, smacked his feet together & said he
felt glorious. Ashe was the most pugnacious man of
them all—he first jumped upon J. P. Irwin & tore the skirt
of his coat nearly off & he then threw himself upon me
so suddenly that I could not get out of his way & was
obliged to fight in self-defense. Neither of us were
hurt for Dick's gas soon "–frez–z out" & then
of course the scuffle ended. That night the Fresh com–
–petitors declaimed. Also about 4 that evening Miss
Wilson died. Dr Holt reached the Hill also on that eve.
Wednesday morning was set apart for the delivery of Mr
Mason's address but as that gentleman, on account of urgent
business, could not be present Dr Mitchell devoted the time
to a lecture & the exhibition of some experiments, on Electro
Magnetism. The evening of that day was devoted to the
interment of the body of Miss Wilson . It was brought to the
chapel where a long & very solemn & impressive sermon
was preached by Prof. Phillips . Thence it was carried to
the college burial place & there interred. A numerous
concourse of people attended the body to the grave—
the students behaved with becoming solemnity & both they
& the strangers who were present appeared to sympathise deeply with the bereaved father & sister by (307) the solemn &
respectful manner in which they performed the last sad
rites to the body of their beloved relative.

On Wed. night the Soph. comp ets . declaimed— Fauks was
one of them. On Thursday morning the speakers were
Bryan , who spoke the Latin, Summerell , Barringer
Haigh & Lewis —in the evening Bell spoke first, a
French speech " Elogé de Louis Phillipe ." After him
Mullins & Marten (308) & then the degrees were conferred.
A very neat bible was given to each member of the class
together with his diploma. (309) R. Campbell , Dusenbery &
Green were called up & received their diploma's
together. The reports were read out before degrees
were conferred— Alfred Foster & Bellanfant received
3 d in the Soph. Morrisey then delivered his vale–
–dictory & Mr Green closed the exercises with
prayer after a short speech (310) from Gov. Morehead .
At night the ball came off. Very few young ladies
attended. I went over & danced the first cotillion with
Augusta Rounsaville who also was at Commencement.
I paid very little attention to the ladies. Once I
walked with Elizabeth Holt & once with Miss Jackson
from Pittsboro . On Friday morning I left the Hill

bringing with me McBee & Foster . Laura was
very kindly treated at Dr Mitchell's & on leaving I gave
Miss Ellen all my plants. Mr [Charles] Phillips kept my horses
during my stay. A few miles from the Hill I overtook
Dr Holt's cavalcade. In the carriage were Miss
Elizabeth, Sam & Lewis Holt & , in the
Buggie Dr Holt & his brother Edwin & P. Holt & Mr
Harden,(311) a relation were on horseback. 12 miles
from the Hill we stopped to rest our horses & take
refreshments. Just then Peter Rounsavill &Augusta
overtook us & also drew up. Each carriage brought
forward its quota of provisions & joined them
in one harmonious whole. There was the greater
part of a boiled ham, fried ham, chicken & every
variety of cake. We obtained fodder for our horses
& knives & forks for ourselves from Mr Thomson's
A spring was close by‖we wanted for nothing &
the whole of us, 13 in number, exclusive of Jacob &
Andy(312) who afterwards ate to their soul's content,
made a most sumptuous & plentiful repast.
We rose from dinner, lighted cigars & went on
in high spirits. Dr Holt & his brother Edwin rode in
the buggie, McBee, Foster & Lewis Holt in our car–
–riage & Sam Holt, > & myself in the Dr's with
Miss E.—. We reached Edwin Holt's by sundown
& all passed the night there.

Next morning (Saturday) Miss Eliza gave us an early
break-fast, put us up a snack & we went on our
way rejoicing. Four miles on the other side of Greensboro,
we stopped & partook of Miss E's– snack. It consisted
of a most abundant supply of ham, both boiled &
fried, cold chicken, dried beef & a variety of cake
for desert. Such a meal, in such a place was
really romantic. We only stopped in G– for a few
minutes to buy cigars "et cetera." I paid Fayette's
debts, amounting to 15 dollars. We reached Brummel's
(313) a little after dark & all obtained lodging though it
was a tight squeeze. I had either to sleep with young
Brummel or Pete Rounsaville— I chose the former.
Sunday morning early we left B's & reachedLex.
to breakfast. The western fellows had passed
the night at Mabry's(314) & had just departed. Pink &
went to church in the morning—also at night & slept
the whole time. On Monday Alf & I went with him
to the factory(315) & also over to Dr Holt's. On that
evening Slade, McNairy & Bellanfant arrived.
Turner did not come. Cuffee & Yance staid with
me & Pink all night & Fauks went with Alf. They
are all on their way to take a grand tour through
the western mountains of N. Carolina. I was not pre–
–pared & Fauks agreed to wait until to-morrow
morning for me—that I might get prepared to go

with them. All the rest left together about 7.O.C.
this moring—Pink travels in the stage. T. Davis also
left this morning in the stage for Salisbury. Dr Holt brought
him with him from C, Hill & he has spent a day or two
with us. Alf went with Fauks to the Factory to day.
John took dinner with me & soon after Alf came
down & we went over to the Dr's & set for 2 hours.
Alf invited John, Pete & I to take supper with him
this evening—we went & there met Miss Frances Rank[in]
Miss S. Marbry & Miss Montgomery.(316) The girls played
finely on the piano & we passed a very pleasant
time. I came home with Miss Montgomery —she
is a very interesting girl.

Here ends the record of my senior year.
In the morning I start with Bellanfant for Lincoln
–ton, where I shall meet Slade, McBee & McNairy
& from that place of rendevous our tour will comm–
–ence.

Concluded here in my father's house, in the
north room on the east(317) side of the passage at
11.O.C. precisely, at night, on this, the 7nth of June
eighteen hundred & forty two.

Fauks is asleep & breathing heavily—my own
eyelids are getting heavy & I too will shortly be on
my way to join him in the glorious land of Nod.

June 7nth 1842.

11 at night.

Notes

I commenced the study of medicine on, I think,
the last day of June 1842(318) under Dr C. L Payne &
took the degree of MD. at the University of Pennsylvania
on the 4th of April "/45.(319) I hung out my shingle in
my native town of Lexington early in the month of June following.
About the middle of Jan. /46 I went to Statesville.(320)

Notes