Diary of Thomas Smith, Esq. 99 



where was to have heen a Meeting concerning the High Ways, hut there were 

 not more than 3 or 4 Persons. 



Wednesday 6th. Mr. "Warne of Chippenham was, I think, the only person 

 that was with me in Business this Day ; so in the Evening I was at Bro. Selfe's 

 about two Hours, where was also Mr. Brewer the Lawyer. 



Thursday 7th. I was again this Afternoon in the fields with my setting 

 Dog, and had no Company all y' Day. 



Friday 8th. I was privately at Home all the former part'of the Day, and in 

 the Evening out again with my Dog. 



Sunday 10th. In the Morning very early my new Servant Tho'. Bridgeman 

 came, but how long he will cohtiDue with me I am uncertain, his Behaviour 

 being but very indifferent this very day. Mr. Fox preach'd this Morning on 

 13 V. of y' 1st Chap'^ of the Epistle of St. James. 



Munday 11th. I was at Mr. Horton's of Broughton this Afternoon, in 

 Company with the Minister of Holt Mr. Lewis, and one Cap'. Dennet that ia 

 now at Holt Wells : but most of the Time with the Mas*^ of the House alone, 

 for r tarri'd till near Seven. And this Day I began to try for some Marl by 

 digging under Ground, as they do at the Cole Pitts. 



Tuesday 12th. Peggy went to Bath this Morning, and had with her in the 

 Coach Mrs. Horton of Broughton and Mrs. Long my Tenant. Bet came back 

 in the Evening with the two last mention'd. She has been at Bath these Six 

 Weeks, and brings me Word that her Grand-Mother is but little amended. 



Wednesday 13th. In the Afternoon I attempted to have had some Sport 

 with my Dog, but being driven Home by the Rain I went in y= Evening to 

 Beanacre to Bro. Selfe's, where Betsy was visitting. 



Thursday 14th. I was very privately at Home all the Day, and in the Even- 

 ing my Workmen for Marl brought me Word they had found a very fluent 

 Spring, so could proceed no further in that place. 



Saturday 16th. Early this Morning I went to Bath to see my Mother, who 

 yet continues in a Weak Condition and does not come down Staires. I found 

 there Mr. Selfe of Broomham in very much Trouble on Account of his eldest 

 Son * (who has been very idle and undutiful for some years past, altho' not now 

 above 22 or 23 y". old), he having been at the Bear in that place several Weekes 

 past, and now declares he has marri'd one Collins the Sister of the Person 

 that keeps that House, a Person of little or no Fortune, and bred up always in 

 a publick House, not at all reputable as to her Character, tho' I do not hear of 

 any particular Lewdness she ever has been guilty of, only the Method of 

 Living not favour'd in the World. About Eleven I left Bath and came to Dine 

 w">. Mr. J"". Norris who is now settled in Mrs. Panton's House at Bath-easton, 

 where after Dinner Mr. Selfe caU'd on me and we left that place about Five. 



Sunday 17th. One Mr. Fry, a Curate at Devizes, preach'd this Afternoon on 

 the 10th Verse of 84 Psalm. Sermon being ended I went with Bro. Selfe to y* 

 Vicarige, where was the Preacher, Mr. Foxe's Uncle and him Self, and Mr. 

 Mawkes ; our Stay was about an Hour. 



Munday 18th. Just in the Evening I went to Mr. Tho. Long's in Business, 



•The eldest son of Thomas Selfe, Rector of Bromham, by Elizabeth his first wife was Thomas 

 BeUe, who died 10th January, 1726, aged 27 years, s. p. ; he lies buried in St. MUdi'ed's Church, 

 Iiondon. 



H 2 



