…Posted part of my day book today and also wrote out part of the parish bill. Charles Diggens drank tea with us. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening, to whom I read part of Sherlock on judgment… A very melancholy time occasioned by the dearness of corn, though not proceeding from a real scarcity, but from the iniquitous practice of engrossers, forestalling etc. My trade is but very small, and what I shall do for an honest livelihood I cannot think. I am and hope ever shall be content to put up with two meals a day, and both of them I am also willing should be of pudding; that is, I am not desirous of eating meat above once or at the most twice a week. My common drink is only water, which I make my choice when I am not involved in company so that I can have it. As I am mortal, so have I my faults and failings common with other mortals. I believe by a too eager thirst after knowledge I have oftentimes to gratify that insatiable humor been at too great an expense in buying books and spent rather too much time in reading, for it seems to be the only diversion that I have any appetite for. Reading and study (might I be allowed the phrase) would in a manner be both meat and drink to me, were my circumstances but independent.