19 

 EXTRACT FROM WASHINGTON S DIARY - 



Dec. 7 to 13 (Inclusive) 1799. 



This extract is added to the collection to indicate the way 

 in which Washington kept up his diary even to the night be 

 fore he died. It shows what a keen observer he was, and how 

 painstaking in recording his observations. 



It was during the night of the 12th that he was attacked 

 by the illness from which he died on the 14th of December, 

 1799. 



EXTRACT FROM A DIARY FOR DECEMBER, 1799. 



December 7th. Rainy morning, with the wind at north ; 

 mercury at 37. Afternoon, clear and pleasant; wind west 

 erly. Mercury 41 at night. Dined at Lord Fairfax s. 



8th. Morning perfectly clear, calm, and pleasant; but 

 about nine o clock the wind came from the northwest and blew 

 frost. Mercury 38 in the morning, and 40 at night. 



9th. Morning clear and pleasant, with a light wind from 

 northwest. Mercury at 33. Pleasant all day; afternoon 

 calm. Mercury 39 at night. Mr. Howell Lewis and wife set 

 off on their return home after breakfast ; and Mr. Lawrence 

 Lewis and Washington Custis, on a journey to New Kent. 



10th. Morning clear and calm; mercury at 31. After 

 noon lowering ; mercury at 42, and wind brisk from the south 

 ward. A very large hoar-frost this morning. 



llth. But little wind, and raining. Mercury 44 in the 

 morning, and 38 at night. About nine o clock the wind 

 shifted to the northwest, and it ceased raining, but continued 



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