ROBERT POCOCK. 137 



" Thursday, 30th. Engaged again with, my plants. 

 Walked in the evening to find my ' lady's slipper ' I 

 had put out in the marsh ; but could not find it. It 

 must have been taken, as I certainly did keep the place 

 of planting sufficiently secret. 



" Friday, 31 st. Engaged in printing bills about 

 indecent bathing, by order of the mayor. Supped with 

 Mr. Blanchard (brother to the East India captain), at 

 the Falcon Inn, on veal, green peas, &c. 



" Saturday, June 1st. Mr. Blanchard, myself, and 

 daughter Mary went to Cobham College and Church, 

 where Mr. Blanchard read with much facility the 

 ancient French and Latin monumental inscriptions in 

 the church to the memory of the Cobham families, &c. 

 Spoke to Mr. Pemble about the ancient helmets in the 

 chance] (as the chancel is belonging to him). Mr. B. 

 wished to make an equivalent to the poor of the parish 

 for the same; but Mr. Pemble did not grant the request. 

 Went to visit Cobham Hall, where we were refused, 

 because Lord Darnley's daughter Mary was going to be 

 married that day in the hall by special licence to her 

 relation (I believe, cousin), Mr. Brownlow, and the 

 house was full of company. Visited Chalk Church to 

 see the two figures on the porch, likely enough made to 

 perpetuate an obit or drink ale day. The Hudson's Bay 

 ships fire their guns : an annual custom at Gravesend, 

 where their officers and owners dine, and have green 

 peas for dinner, which this year have come most early. 



" Sunday, 2nd. Walked with Mary Pocock to drink 

 tea with old Mr. Fletcher of Claphall. In the morning 

 we rambled through the chalk cliffs of Northfleet, and 

 found in bloom Orchis latifolia, &c. 



" Tuesday, 4th. Went to West Wood in search of 



