ROBERT POCOCK. 43 



meades's, of the East India service, in Bampton Lane, 

 found the vervain mallow in bloom. Had only found 

 it once before in Kent. Plucked some seeds, as it is 

 well worth a place in private garden. Observed at 

 the same place in bloom, by the side of the ditch, the 

 scarlet pimpernel in a great state of luxuriance. 

 Bampton Lane is solitary, and not such a desirable 

 spot for a residence as I should choose. Refreshed 

 myself at Crayford, where I found that madder was 

 lately cultivated, but now totally rooted up, it being" 

 a losing concern, as it took three years to bring it to 

 perfection, and much trouble in getting up the roots, 

 which run four or five feet in length. Crayford 

 famous for calico-printing, carp, trout, and good 

 singers. Saw a large green grasshopper. Strong 

 wind east. Faintly saw the comet. Starlight to eight. 

 Arrived at Gravesend at ten, greatly fatigued. 



"Monday Night, September 16th. Heard that on 

 Saturday last a man put in the cage on a charge of 

 stealing two odd shoes from Mr. Newman, proprietor 

 of coaches, had cut his throat. However, by timely 

 assistance, and the skill of Mr. Beaumont, surgeon, it 

 was sewn up, and the man is likely to recover. 



"Miss B. from Orkney called. Gave her some 

 grapes, being the greatest present to take to Orkney. 

 Mr. C., my young antiquarian and scientific friend, 

 informed me that during my absence he had been 

 engaged in trying the utility of a new screw and machine 

 for the purpose of navigating vessels. I told him the 

 proprietor of the machine, Mr. S. of the Strand, should 

 have called on my neighbour, who knows more about 

 screws than half the screw and machine makers in the 

 kingdom. Two French prisoners taken to a madhouse. 



