Diary of Thomas Smith, Esq. 313 



and Son Jacob, and Mr. Horton ; we all tarri'd 'till Nine, and had Discourse of 

 the late Election, the proceedings of the Parliam*., and particularly of the 

 Hardship design'd against the Roman Catholics and non Jurors (as 'tis said) in 

 the land-tax Bill now depending. 



Tuesday 20th. About 3 this Afternoon, Mr. Rolt and his Ladie with Mr. 

 Norris and Lady Hauham in the Coach with them, made us an unexpected 

 Visit for about an Hour and halfe, time and bad Ways not permitting longer Stay. 



Wednesday 21st. By appointment w*^. Mr. Seymour when here, I went 

 early this Morning to have hunted w'''. hira, but he came not to the Place, but 

 by accident met with Mr. Webb, and afterwards we both by as much accident 

 with Mr. Harding's Hounds, and tarri'd with them some Hours without any 

 Divertion, save the Benefit of fair Day ; at my coming Home, Edwai-d Lewis of 

 Broughton was here an Horn- or more. 



Thursday 22nd. I went to the Devizes to see my Coz. Nicholas, who is ill 

 and has been so some time. I din'd there and did not goe from the House 'till 

 I came away about 3, and call'd on Horse-back at Mr. Seymours in my Way 

 Home thro, much Rain. 



Saturday 24th. By reason of some Pains in my Head and some other illnesses 

 that have at some certain times attended me as Dizziness and sometimes a kind 

 of Numbness in my Toes and Fingers. Mr. Allen the Apothecary of Devizes 

 come to me about twelve and took some Blood which I trust in ye Almighty 

 be of Service to me, being the first time I ever had the Tryal. 



Sunday 25th. The Sermon by Mr. Hunter was on the 23rd Verse of the 

 19th of Proverbs this Morning. The rest of the Day was spent in some Degree 

 as it ought I hope. 



Munday 26th. After Dinner T went to Bro. Selfe's by Appointm'., where I 

 met, besides his own Family, Mr. Jacob Selfe and Mr. J"". Guppy, an some time 

 was there by Accident, young Tho. Beaven, of Melkesham, when we had Dis- 

 course of the Hardship of the late Vote of the H. of Commons, viz : £100,000 

 should be rais'd on Roman Catholicks and non-jurors over and above the Sum 

 already by them paid of double taxes ; which will certainly be to the Utter 

 Ruin of many.* We also had talk of the late Tryal of Mr. Layer, who was 

 convicted of high treason. f 



Tuesday 27th. I walk'd this Morning, being frosty to Broad's the Stone- 

 Cutter, near Bath, to see a Monument he has just finish'd to be put up in 

 Memory of my Dear Spouse and Children, and call'd at Jaggards in my Return 

 where I din'd and tarri'd 2 or 3 Hours and came home in the Evening weary 

 enough. 



Friday 30th. My Coz. J°°. Nicholas, now the eldest Son of my Cozen 

 Nicholas of Devizes, came in as we were at Dinner ; he had some Business with 

 me relating to the Disposition his Father who is in a very weak Condition, has 

 made of his Estate ; after staying an Hour or more he left me, and I walk'd 

 to Melkesham to see a Monument that is setting up to the Memory of my Dear 

 and never to be forgotten Spouse, and also call'd at Mr. Long's my Ten', in 

 some Business. 



• Nov. 23, 1722. A Bill was brought in for raising £100,000 on Papists and Popish recusants, 'which 

 was opposed but carried by a great miijority. 



+ Not. 21.— Christopher Layer, tried at the King's Bench for High Treason, was found guilty ; 

 executed at Tyburn, May 17, following. British CUroQologist (sub ann.]. 



