Diary of Thomas Smith, Esq. 211 



done after a serious manner, of which I heard somthing jestingly when last at 

 Nonsuch, but cannot say I approve it. I retum'd to Dinner and bargain'd with 

 one Joseph Pierce to serve me in Jacob's Place, (who leaves me at our Lady-day) 

 at £3 10s. p^ an. ; afterwards went to the Vicaridge to visit Mr. Hunter, being 

 his Request to us last Night. Mr. Long, Mr. Jacob Selfe and Jer. Awdry, were 

 the Companions 'till near ten. 



Thursday 21st. I din'd at Beavens being the Club Day, w"". five other Gen*., 

 the publick News was the Bills in Parliament brought to inflict certain Penal- 

 ties and Paines on the Bishop of Rochester and Mr. Pluncker, and what will be 

 the case of others now in Custody as its said. Whilst at Beavens, a Fellow on 

 Purpose sent as he said, came to me to oflfer the Money I gave Pierce when I bar- 

 gain'd with him Tuesday last. I came home about Nine, having drunk too much. 



Friday 22nd. In the Morning was at Daniels Wood, and Afternoon at 

 Rhoteridge, and sent Ed. Gibbs to Pierce's Honse to know the Reason of his 

 Change of Mind. 



Sunday 24th. Mr. Hunter's Sermon this afternoon was on y' last Verse of 

 the 42'', Psalm, new Translation, where as usually my small Family 

 were. 



Wednesday, 11th April. In the Morning I made Visits to Mr. Hele, Doc". 

 Wyat, &c., and likewise paid off' several old Debts of my Sons to Tradesmen, 

 afterwards eat with S'. W™. Hanham, Mr. Methuen. Bro. Selfe, and Mr. Norris 

 before : The Gent, first mention'd went all together into Dorsetshire with S'.W™. 

 Hanham, and set out only with my Servant homeward, and after I had rode about 

 five Miles, one Smith a Surgeon at y' Devizes, came up w"". me and told me Doc". 

 Merewether and Mr. Horton were just behind, and that they desir'd I would call 

 at one Mr. Crisps, a Farmer near Shrewton, when they would come to me, which 

 accordingly I did, yet they never came, so went forward with my Namesake as 

 far as our Ways lay together and came Home about eight. 



Thursday 12th. Rob'. Hulbert was here in the Morn., and in the Afternoon 

 I went w**". Peggy to Mr. Long's of the Farm, where we met Mr. Long, my 

 Ten', and his elder Bro, the Oxonian, andjeturn'd in y' Evening. 



Friday 13th. Edward Gibbs was w">, me in the Afternoon to make up a 

 long Ac', between us ; and in y= Evening our Butcher J"". Tayler, and my 

 Tenant Little, both in Business. _ 



Saturday 14th. I had little more then comon, only attended my Men in 

 carrying Marie, of which I have been prevented all this Winter by the wet 

 Seasons, and have yet as much as we shall carry out in two Days more. We 

 also bargain'd w"". a Servant in Jane's place, (who is shortly to be married) her 

 Wages is £4 p\ an., and Name Edith. 



Sunday loth. Mr. Fox preaeh'd on the 7 Chapt'. of St. Ma'., and former 

 part of the 13th Verse, this Afternoon. 



Munday 16th. I diligently attended my Workmen, and in the Afternoon 

 had the Company of y' Beanacre Females. 



Friday 20th. After Dinner I went to Mr. Jacob Selfe's of Melksham, and so 

 to y' Vestry, where was to be a Meeting of the Parish to make Rates for the 

 Poor ; many poor persons were there to ask for Relief, and I think some pretty 

 hardly dealt with : afterwards I was again with Mr. Selfe, having Mr. Kington 

 one of the Overseers w"". us till after Nine. 



