Diary of Thomas Smith, Esq. 87 



good Health. The Success of this journey -will in my apprehension, much 

 point out the Life of my Son ; the foundation now being to be laid either of 

 Industry and Virtue or Vice and Sloth ; nothing being surer, then as the 

 Principles so will the Practice be ; which has given me the great Circumspection 

 in my choice of his Tutor who, I have Confidence will be more then ordinary 

 careful over him ; and so under the Protection of the Almighty Providence 

 leave him to proceed. 



Sunday 4th. Mr. Fox* preach'd this afternoon, on these "Words, viz: 

 Search the Scriptures. After Sermon I was at Mr. Fox's ; with him Mr. Pierce 

 the Clergyman, Capt. Jacob Selfe, and Mr. Manks an Hour or more. Mr. Fox 

 designing for Bath tomorrow where he has found much Benefit towards Recovery 

 of his Health. 



Munday 6th. Afternoon I made a visit to Bro : Selfe, who since my Absence 

 has been overturn'd in his Chariot and much bruised in his Way from Nonsuch. 

 Wednesday 7lh. I went to Rhoteridge f in the Afternoon to see Workmen 

 and speak w"" my Tenant, else not from home. 



Thursday 8th. I went this Morning to Bath to see my Mother, who when I 

 came seem'd to be discontented w'^. me for some Matters, y*. I thought I had 

 deserv'd her utmost approbation in, w"='', indeed gave me uneasiness during my 

 Stay there and some melancholy thoughts, w'=''. were somwhat reliev'd by Mr. 

 Fox, who came and tarried an Hour or more : I returnd in y^ Even. 



Friday 9th. This day I spent at Home, the latter part of it mostly w*. my 

 Serv'^., who were taking into the Barn a small Wheat Rick in w'=''. the Mice 

 had made sad Havock altho the same was but of last Y'S growth. My Tenant 

 Little assisting us was w"". me an Hour afterward. 



Sunday 11th. One Mr. Thomson that is Curate at Poulshot preached this 

 Morning on the Last Verse of the 28 of Job, where all my family attended. 



Munday 12th. Afternoon Bro. Selfe, his Son Jacob and Mr. Rob*. Smith of 

 the Forest were with me some Hours — The Latter in Business and his Stay was 

 not long. Our Talk concerning the publick was of the dissolution of the 

 Parliam*.. and the prodigious Bribery now made use of for new Elections, which 

 vile Corruptions I fear are permitted by the Divine Power as a Scourge for our 

 Wickedness, for what greater Punishment can befall a Nation y° to have the 

 Legislature it selfe have its being from open Bribery and Baseness. 



Tuesday 13th. After dinner I went to Devizes to have spoken w*''. Mr. 

 Sadlier J who was not at Home, so had only the Company of my Tenant flUlman 

 and return'd. 



Wednesday 14th. Bro : Selfe sent to me this Afternoon to meet Mr. Jacob 

 Selfe at his house to consult of some Matters relating to the Parish, and I tarri'd 

 there talking of the Parish Business and other Matters till near ten. 



Thursday loth. All the day I was about my own Home, and in the Evening 

 at the Request of my Neighbour Poulsom § was at his House where I bargain'd 

 with his Son Jacob to serve me from our Lady-day next, in Place of J"". 

 Acreman at the Wages of £3 and Livery every year. 



Friday 16th. After di nner I went to Rhoterid ge to s ee Workmen there 

 * Rev. Bohun Fox, Vicar of Mclksham, 1607—1750. 

 t Near Mclksham. t Francis Sadlier, an Attorney at Devizes. 

 5 The name Poulsom is &tJU found at or near Shaw. 



