Falls of Rappahannock 



rather bigger than a lark, and are delicious eating. 

 During the time of their continuing in season, you 

 meet with them at the tables of most of the planters, 

 breakfast, dinner and supper.* 



Oct. 2. We went to another plantation about 

 twenty-four miles distant, belonging to a private 

 gentleman, f upon Mattapony river. We staid there 

 all that and the next day on account of rain. 



Oct. 4. We traveled twenty-five miles to another 

 gentleman's \ house; and from thence, the day fol- 

 lowing, about twenty-five miles farther, to a town 

 called Fredericksburg. 



Fredericksburg is situated about a mile below the 



Falls of Rappahannock: it is regularly laid out, as 



most of the towns in Virginia are, in parallel streets. 



Part of it is built upon an eminence, and commands 



a delightful prospect; the rest upon the edge of the 



water for the convenience of warehouses. The 



town was begun about thirty-two years ago, for the 



sake of carrying on a trade with the back-settlers; 



and is at present by far the most flourishing one in 



these parts. 



* In several parts of Virginia the ancient custom of eating meat 

 at breakfast still continues. At the top of the tabie. where tht 

 lady of the house presides, there i^ .onstantly tea and coffee; but 

 the rest of the table is garnished with roasted fowls, ham, veniSon, 

 game, and o,t v^er dainties. Even r.t Williamsburg, it is the custoai 

 to have^a plJce of cold ham upon the table; and thtie is scarcely 

 a Virginian lady who breakfasts wuhoui it. 



t Major Henry Gaines. 



+ Col. Bailors. 



[63I 



