22 April.
Virginia has seceded and all the border States seem to be coming in: the movements of the U.S. Government have been very suicidal every act tells in a way to benefit us. There has been a riot in Philadelphia in which the Black Republican spirit was fully exhibited, all the accounts tend to shewing a determination at the North to sustain the Government and so there is at the South;—I believe this will give peace.
Arthur was sent up from Morris’s Island to the City to get over an attack of Dysentary . Mr Grimball went down to see after him.—
Every where there are commotions great and small, in Charleston. Taking Fort Sumpter, up here. Mr Elliott said he would hear the children their chatecism and Harry although he has been learning his for 6 years did not know it so said Mrs Barnwell of her two, Richard & Ella, she said she felt as if she would be humiliated, I told Mr Elliott of Harry’s deficiancy. So last Sunday the children went up, after a most charming sermon addressed to the parents, and said their chatecism very well, H. had learnt his all the week, & Mr Elliott gave them some books which they either are to read & keep, or return.—Mr Elliott is to preach 2 more Sundays, is to recieve 3 hundred dollars, for the 3 Month,—and will come back next winter.—Mr Dixson the Presbyterian Minister has resigned, from ill health,—and gone away.—
Yesterday Mrs Wayne came late & spent the evening. She took tea, & went away at 1/2 eleven, she gave the history of her Mitchel. She was married at the age of 16 to a young man named Hardenbrook, he had a large fortune, settled it seems on his children. They were divorced, and she took her maiden name, the children are given to the father’s Mother & she is allowed to see them. 2 little boys, 1, 4, the other 7. Mr Hardenbrook this lady says is a very abandoned man. I do not think her manners impress favorably. —Mrs Wayne gave a very amusing account of her ox, & little blue cart getting Mrs Rosalie Mitchel’s heavy baggage to the cars, the ox several times took to the woods & swamp. This animal is large and harnessed with blinds, an old horse fixing. Mr Lewis has hired Russell Middleton’s house on South bay for the summer, this Mrs L. does not like the place, is rather too public. She is shy, & not always attentive to her appearance. I am glad of her being there for I like her.—The Governess they had early in the winter was a very mischief making woman, she wrote notes to Mr Lewis, noticing Annie’s treatment of Julia, her step daughter, trying to excite him against her.—Spoke in a most disorganizing way to the servants.—
The last visit we paid to Mr Barnwell, Ann spoke in great disgust of Miss Juliet Elliott’s malicious style of remark, she said several things calculated to excite them against Charlotte & Heyward. Ann, & her Mother said this did not have that effect, but disgusted them with Juliet.—Poor old woman, a bitter, spiteful temper is a fearful companion.—