After breakfast I walked up to Mr Vine’s, in order for the last appraisal of his stock etc., Mr Robert Turner of Chiddingly appraising for the assigns and Mr King of Alfriston for Mr Stace. We three, together with Mr Joseph Fuller, Mr Stace Sr, Mr and Mrs Stace Jr and Mr and Mrs Vine, dined there on a leg of mutton boiled, a shoulder of mutton roasted, an apple pudding, turnips and cabbage (my servant at home dining on some beef bones stewed).
We stayed there spending words in vain, for we did no business till about 4:20. The reason of our doing no business seems to proceed from a desire in Mr King and Mr Stace to over-reach and cozen Mr Turner our appraiser in every article, for whatever price Mr Turner asked Mr King would immediately endeavour to beat him down, though he had made a price perhaps below the real value. Upon the whole I am thoroughly convinced that neither Mr Stace nor Mr King are men of any honor, and I am afraid as little honesty…
Sam Jenner and I played a few games of cribbage in the evening; I lost 6d. Lent Joseph Fuller Jr in cash £20, for which he gave me his note of hand…
N.B.: See tomorrow.