Author: Thomas Turner

This being the day appointed by proclamation for a general fast and humiliation before Almighty God for obtaining pardon of our sins and for averting those heavy judgments which our manifold provocations have most justly deserved, imploring his blessing and assistance on the arms of his Majesty by sea and land, for restoring and perpetuating peace, safety and prosperity to Himself and to this kingdom, myself, two boys and servant were at church in the morning; the text in the latter part of the 10th verse of the 4th chapter of the prophet Amos: “Your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.” Myself, two boys and servant at church in the afternoon; we had only prayers.

After evening service we dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a plain suet pudding and some turnips. In the day read part of the New Whole Duty of Man. And in the evening Thomas Davy at our house, to whom I read part of Sherlock on death.

This fast-day, to all outward appearance has (in this parish) been observed with a great deal of decorum and, I hope, true piety, the church in the morning being more thronged than I have seen it lately. Oh, may religion once more rear up her head in this wicked and impious nation and triumph over vice and immorality! Then may we once more hope for success from our fleets and armies when our commanders shall be inspired with the love of God and his most holy religion. Then (and not until then) will all private interest and connection of friends give way and become subordinate to the love of their king and country that then might not the sons of Britain expect but that the forces of the proud Gaul, so fond of universal monarchy, would give way as they did once to an Edward and a Henry. Then might we also hope to see justice impartially delivered from the bench and rapine and violence banished from among the son of Albion and the holy gospel of Christ preached with that energy and ardor as would become the profession of the preacher.

…In the afternoon my brother came over and brought me from my mother in cash 1.5.0, it being in full for 1 quarter’s board etc. of Philip Turner, due yesterday. Paid Mrs Virgoe the £20 I received by the post Thursday last. In the evening read part of the New Whole Duty of Man and part of the 6th volume of Medical Essays. A remarkable cold day, but no frost. I begin to find trade once more to grow very dull and that it is almost next-to impossible to get in any money due on book.

My whole family at church in the morning… We had a brief read for losses sustained by fire, which amounted to the sum of £1012 and upwards. The poor unhappy sufferers were Thomas Fuller of Wick in the county of Berkshire and John Spencer of Long Sherborne in the county of Southampton. I collected on the said brief 0.3.3½, and 1½d I gave myself makes 3/5 collected in the whole.

We dined on the remains of Friday, and yesterday’s dinners, with the addition of some potatoes and turnips. My whole family at church in the afternoon. …After churchtime I went into Mr Porter’s and signed the brief read today. In the day read part of the New Whole Duty of Man. In the evening, Thomas Davy being at our house, I read part of Sherlock on death to him. A very cold day.

Mr Jeremiah French gave my wife and me an invitation to come and dine at their house on Wednesday next, as did also Mrs French some time afterward. Paid Dame Trill by Anne Braizer 2/- on account of the parish for Mr Joseph Burgess. We dined on the remains of Wednesday night’s supper with the addition of a light pudding and turnips. Sent by John Streeter 3/9 for my club arrears, Thursday next being quarter night. Mr Elless and Joseph Fuller at our house in the evening. At home all day. In the evening wrote my London letters.

Paid Joseph Fuller by his son Richard 6d for one sheep’s head and bell received by him today. Paid Mrs Cayley 2/- in full for one year’s rent for the use of Mrs Browne’s seat in the church. We dined on a sheep’s head and bell boiled and turnips. At home all day. In the day read part of the Medical Essays. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening in order for me to instruct him in gauging and the use of the sliding rule.

This morning about 6 o’clock, just as my wife was gladly got to bed and had laid herself down to rest, we were awakened by Mrs Porter, who pretended she wanted some cream of tartar. But as soon as my wife got out of bed, she vowed she should come down, which she complied with and found her, Mr Porter, Mr Fuller and his wife with a lighted candle, part of a bottle of wine and a glass.

Then the next thing in course we must be to have me downstairs, which I being apprized of, fastened my door. But, however, upstairs they came, and threatened and also attempted to break open my door, which I found they would do; so I therefore ordered the boys to open it. But as soon as ever it was open, they poured-into my room, and as modesty forbid me not to get out of my bed in the presence of the women, so I refrained. But their immodesty permitted them to draw me out of bed (as the common phrase is) tipsy turvy. However, at the intercession of Mr Porter, they permitted me to put on my breeches (though it was no more than to cast a veil over what undoubtedly they had before that time discovered). And also, instead of my clothes, they gave me time to put on my wife’s petticoat. In this manner they made me dance with them without shoes or stockings until they had emptied their bottle of wine and also a bottle of my beer. They then contented themselves with sitting down to breakfast on a dish of coffee etc.

They then obliged my wife to accompany them to Joseph Durrant’s, where they again breakfasted on tea etc. They then all adjourned to Mr Fuller’s, where they again breakfasted on tea. There they also stayed, and dined, and about 3:30 they all found their ways to their respective homes, beginning by that time to be a little serious, and in my opinion ashamed of their stupid enterprise, or drunken perambulation. Now let anyone but call in reason to his assistance and seriously reflect on what I have before recited, and they must I think join with me in thinking that the precepts delivered from the pulpit on Sundays by Mr Porter, though delivered with the greatest ardor, must lose a great deal of their efficacy by such examples.

Myself and family at home dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Mr Jordan called on me but did not stay. Mr Elless and Joseph Fuller in the evening called in to ask me how I did after my fatigue and stayed and smoked a pipe with me. And so this ends the silliest frolic I think I ever knew, and one that must cast an odium on Mr and Mrs P—– and Mrs F—– so long as it shall be remembered.

Paid for 2 lbs tripe bought today 4d. We dined on a sheep’s heart pudding and boiled tripe. At home all day. Read part of the 6th volume Medical Essays. Sadly indisposed.

Myself, two boys and servant at church in the morning… We dined on the remains of Wednesday’s soup and a piece of boiled beef and Savoy greens. Myself, two boys and servant at church in the afternoon… After churchtime Mr Hook and I went and took a walk round Mrs Virgoe’s wood, where we found she has sustained damages, in my opinion, to the amount of 20/- at the least, either by her brother’s ignorance or covetousness.

In the day read part of the New Whole Duty of Man. In the evening Thomas Davy at our house. I completed reading the second time Sherlock on death, which I think an extreme good book; the more I read of it, the better I like it.