68 ROBERT POCOCK. 



received their route only at eleven this day. The first 

 head of asparagus seen coming out of the ground. 



" Wednesday, April 29/i. More of the 7th Dragoon 

 Guards came into the town on their way through to 

 Islington. Walked to Shorne. Grot a lilac double 

 primrose. 



" Thursday, April 30th. Mr. R Hinde called, and 

 with Mr. Rowe and Bedingfield marked out the ground 

 Mr. Rowe had purchased for 200 guineas. The whole 

 month has been bleak and dry for the most part. Mr. 

 Woodgate cut the first 150 heads of asparagus. 



" Sunday, May 3rd. Some soldiers (I believe a regi- 

 ment) passed through the town early this morning, 

 about five or six o'clock, on their way to Dartford. 

 The cold wind ceased, and the sun set very fine and 

 unusually clear at the horizon, putting on the appear- 

 ance of a rim of an earthen pot or crown, which dis- 

 appeared before it had totally set. This setting 

 indicates a fine day to-morrow. 



" Monday, May 4th. A very beautiful day, the first 

 all the year. A meeting held this day in the Town 

 Hall, calling the inhabitants together to take their 

 opinion on a renewal of the East India Com- 

 pany 's charter, and wishing to have the E.I.C. trade 

 confined to the Port of London, when the Corporation 

 of Gravesend subscribed 50/. and the inhabitants 

 more, to the amount, it is said, of 200Z. In the after- 

 noon walked to Greenhithe. Got some bee orchis in 

 bloom. Saw the sulphur and tortoise-shell butterflies. 



" Tuesday, May 5th. First saw house martin. Troop 

 of the 3rd German Legion came across from Essex to- 

 day. Went to Chatham with Mr. Grafter, and saw 

 Mr. Penn's auriculas, who bought some good polyan- 



