In the morning about 8 o’clock I was sent for down to Mr Porter’s to be a witness to something, but what I do not know. (I conjecture it to be articles of agreement between Mr Porter and some other for the sale of a farm of Mr Porter’s lying in Essex, and now in the occupation of Thomas Wright). Mr Porter signed one paper, and the gentleman’s name that signed the other was, I think, John Benison. He was dressed in a band and had a gown or cassock on and seemed as if he belonged to some college or hospital. Miss Dinah Benge and myself witnessed both the papers. Paid
Thomas Fuller, butcher, 18½d for 1 leg of lamb weighing 6¼ lbs… I extracted the following list of our navy out of Martin’s Magazine, No. 20: A list of the royal navy in commission June 1, 1756… [List omitted]… As my brother went to the races, he stayed and dined with us. At home all day. Read part of Hervey’s Theron and Aspasio wherein I find he mentions Bishop Beveridge, Bishop Hopkins, Bishop Reynolds and Bishop Davenant as men distinguished for piety and religion… This day thank God I had a pretty deal of business.
In the evening our maid went to sit up with Elizabeth Hutson. In the evening read the 41st.of Tillotson’s sermons. It was a thanksgiving sermon; the text, 23rd and 24th verses, 9th chapter of Jeremiah: “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord to which exercise loving-kindness, judgement and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” This day the subscription purse of £50 was run for on Lewes Downs when there were only 2 started for the same; viz., Lord Craven’s bay mare Princess Mary, and Mr Howe’s chestnut horse. It was won by the mare with ease, there being only two heats, though the odds at starting were 12 to 10 on the horse.