Diary of Thomas Smith, Esq. 85 



The shield above the inscription is. Smith ; gules, on a chevron 

 between 3 cinquefoils argent, three lion's heads erased, sable ; (the 

 usual charge on the chevron ia S leopard's faces sable;) probably 

 the lion's heads were used, on the authority of the old seal, before 

 mentioned, but it is certain that other branches of this family, used 

 the more correct coat, viz., three leopard's faces on the chevron. 

 "With Smith is impaled for Webb, argent, a cross gules, between 4 

 falcons close, proper. 



The above particulars, will it is hoped, make the diary more 

 intelligible, as far as Thomas Smith's immediate family is enquired 

 after. It would be no difficult task, were it necessary, to connect 

 families still living, with the names mentioned by him day after 

 day. But how large a number of his associates are forgotten ; in 

 some cases, their dwellings are swept away ; in most the fact 

 of their residence in particular houses is hardly accepted as a 

 tradition ; and the places where they exercised hospitality, and 

 dispensed justice, and kept up the distinctions, then more syste- 

 matically conjoined with wealth and landed estate, than in our day 

 of progress, shall know them no more. Their memorials have, 

 not unusually, perished with them : at Shaw House however, about 

 a dozen family portraits remain in the Hall and stair-case, con- 

 nected with the Arnold, x^eale, Ireland, and Smith families. The 

 water-spouts of the house bear the cvphers t e : and on the vane 

 of the stable, the date 1738 without initials. 



We conclude therefore, that the newest portion of the mansion, 

 was built by Thomas Smith after his marriage with Elizabeth 

 Webb; whether he were settled there by such marriage is a question 

 not yet investigated. 



In a narrative such as this, we seem to see before us the " fine old 

 country gentlemen of the olden time;" we picture their dress ; their 

 equipages; their pastimes; their habits of life; and their bonds of 

 association, religious and political ; we are naturally struck with 

 the improvements which have arisen, in various particulars, as 

 time has passed on. We cannot read Mr. Smith's graphic des- 

 cription of things as they were in his da)', without exclaiming, 

 what changes ! For the most part we shall admit, that they have 



