January 13, 1868

Lady Susan Agnes Macdonald, wife of Sir John A. Macdonald, has furnished us with an account of the prime minister’s birthday which was celebrated on January 11 with a dinner at Rideau Hall. The prime minister turned 53.

Saturday 11th

At home till 3 then to the Department with my Husband. & then to drive with him across the Ice. Such smooth sleighing! The whole country is a sheet of unbroken snow. dazzling to look upon The air is rare with cold. The lightness of the warm & cozy. When we go in my dressing-room looks so snug, with the blazing fire & bright gaslights as we bundled in after our cold drive and John said "How comfortable this is". It pleased me much. To make his house cheery & pleasant, to know that he is happy & at ease is indeed sweet to me. All my strong Hearts devotion is so entirely given up to him, that my only fear is such affection is sinful and too all engrossing.

Dined at Rideau Hall the Roses, Sanders, Alexanders, Coffins & Ld A Russell there. How strange it still is to be taken in by the Governor, first lady there. I try hard that these things should not be a temptation or occasion of falling to me. My Heavenly Father in his wisdom has seen fit to place me in the position I occupy unworthy - ignorant - idle me. He will give me. I trust & pray, grace & strenght to fill it to His Honor & Glory. This is all my Prayer!

My darling's Birthday & he is fifty three. I think no one could guess him as much as that. He is so bright and active. May God bless this year to him & to me. May He keep us both from harm & wrong & guide us into all truth.

One earnest Prayer I daily offer. May the all-wise Disposer see fit to give my Darling the strenght needed - that will answer my prayer.

Hewitt was almost smothered in his big Buffalo coat as we drove tonight thro' the Silent wooden Ottawa streets - all white & still! We were very jolly tho' all wrapped up - tho' the sleigh was open. Sir John wore his star for the 1st time tonight. I was so proud of him & of it - & he looked so well - with the broad red riband on his coat. Truely he deserves it - for he has faithfully served both Queen & country.