Diary of Thomas Smith, Esq. 91 



Friday 5th. I travel'd muoli about the Town in my Business, and in the 

 Evening was at a Tavern w"". Mr. Josiah Diston,* Mr. William Lewis, Mr. Sadlier 

 of Devizes, and Mr. Boucher to a late Hour. 



Saturday 6th. I finish'd my Business ia the Evening, took a Glass 

 of Wine w*. two of y' Gent, last mention'd and Mr. John Thresher. 



Sunday 7th. I was at Church twice, din'd w*"". my Landlord, and in the 

 Evening again at the Tavern w"". Mr. Hicks, Minister of Broughton.f the three 

 Gent, last mention'd, and Mr. Henry Horton. There has been of late several 

 irreligious Clubbs discover'd of which there is much talk, and indeed every one 

 that I hear speaks of them w*. the utmost detestation as they duly deserve, 

 such blasphemous Impieties having never been heard of and are not fit to be com- 

 mitted to paper. Several Persons of high Rank and of both Sexes are reported 

 to be concern'd in them, the Governm'. has thought fit to issue a Proclamation for 

 their Suppression which I heartily wish may have its Efiect. 



Munday 8th. After the same Manner as I came up I now set out again for 

 my own Home, and fortun'd to have pretty agreeable Company in both journeys. 

 A Tradesman of Newbury, as he was riding between Maidenhead and Slough, 

 either by an Apoplectick fit or disjoynting his Neck by the fall from his Horse, 

 expir'd just as we pass'd by the Place. An Instance of the Uncertainty of 

 Life and Monitor for our Behaviour in it. 



Tuesday 9th. I took leave of my Company at Sandy Lane and call'd at 

 Nonsuch, { where were besides the family, Mr. Wallis, Mr. Lucas Selfe and Mr. 

 Tho'. Harnham, the 2 first mention'd came w'^. me to Melkesham. 



Wednesday 10th. 1 din'd at Beanacre w*"". the 2 Gent, last mention'd and 

 old Mr. Norris besides the family, also Mr. Jacob Selfe and his Bro. were w*. 

 ns, and all except the Clergy-Man who went away early, drank plentifully of 

 Punch in the Evening, our discourse being of comon Matters and the Journy 

 Mr. Wallis and Mr. Selfe are just now about to take to Rome, &c. 



Thursday 11th. All the Gent, last mention'd din'd w'h. me and also S'. 

 William Hanham, and our Living was much after the same Manner as Yester- 

 day, I pray God forgive the Excesses. 



Friday 12th. After Dinner I walked to Melkesham by Mistake, thinking a 

 Meeting of the Parish to grant Rates for the Poor had been appointed as on this 

 Day : So was w'''. Mr. Jacob Selfe about an Hour and retiu-n'd. 



Saturday 13th. All the Day I was privately at Home, Edw. Dick indeed 

 was w"'. me in y* Morning about an Horse, and after Dinner came Home, he 

 having been w'*". his Mast'. Hole at Oxford. 



Sunday 14th. Mr. Pierce preach'd this afternoon on the 8th Verse of the 5th 

 Chap", of y* Gospel of St. Matthew. 



Munday, 15th. Mr. Long my Tenant was w*. me this afternoon. 



Tuesday, 16th. Mr. Warne of Chippenham was here in Business just after 

 Dinner ; but I stay'd but a little V!<^. him, being just a going to Monkton Farley 

 from whence I return'd in the Evening. 



Wednesday, 17th. I was at Bath to see my Mother who yet is far from being 



» Josiah Diston, M.P., DeTizes, 1706, 1708, 1715. 

 + There is reason for supposing thut the Rector of Broughton, -was nearly related to the learned 

 Non Juror, Dr. George Hickes. 



t Norris of Nonsuch married a Selfe. 



