Author: Thomas Turner

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day and very little to do. In the afternoon about 5:30 died Mr French of this parish after a long and lingering illness, which, it’s to be doubted, was first brought on by the too frequent use of spirituous liquors and particularly gin.

If it was possible to make any estimate of the quantity he drank for several years past, I should think he could not drink less on a moderate computation than 20 gallons a year. Let me, from such instances, fly the habit of drinking and think upon the final consequence.

Myself and servant at church in the morning… I dined on a piece of beef boiled and French beans., Myself and servant at church in the afternoon… After churchtime I went to Joseph Fuller’s, where I drank tea, and from thence I went down to Whyly to speak to Mrs French about the funeral of her husband. Came home about 8 o’clock and, calling in at Thomas Davy’s, I stayed and supped there and came home about 9:30 very sober, having drunk nothing this day stronger than tea and water.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some cucumbers. At home all day. In the evening Mr Francis Weller sat with me some time. Posted my day book today and in the evening wrote my London letters.

Sent Mr Paul Hornsby… 14.11.0… I dined on a piece of bacon boiled and carrots. Rec’d of John Nutley the half guinea I lent him the 10th instant.

Drew up the minutes of agreement between Mr Francis Weller and Mr George Bannister wherein Mr Weller agrees to let Mr Bannister that end of his house [i.e., the other end from Turner’s half of the house], late his mother’s, and all the furniture as it stands, an inventory of which was taken and annexed to the agreement. Mr Bannister is to give 2/3 each week. I witnessed the said agreement and a stayed and drank tea with Mr Weller and his sister.

But little to do all day. In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe or two with me.

My brother came over in the forenoon and dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a piece of pork boiled and some carrots.

My brother stayed and waited in the shop while I went to serve Mr French’s funeral. I served the funeral and came home about 7:20. My brother went away immediately. A very remarkable wet forenoon, it raining almost incessantly all the forenoon. Mr French was aged 55 years. An account of the gloves given away today:

Men’s black ribbon-bound gloves:
1. Mr John French	3. John Baker
2. Mr John Thatcher	4. Thomas Tester
	5. Thomas Davy
Women’s black ribbon-bound gloves:
1. Mrs French	6. Mrs Durrant
2. Molly French	7. Dame Cornwell
3. Mrs Thatcher	8. Dame Prall
4. Mrs Virgoe	9. Dame Trill
5. Mrs Davy	10. Elizabeth Henly
	11. Mrs French’s maid
Boy’s black ribbon-bound gloves:
1. Samuel French
Men’s looped gloves:
1. Mr Porter
Total of Gloves:
5 pairs men’s 2d chamois
11 pairs women’s do.
1 pair men’s looped
1 pair boys’ 2d chamois or black ribbon-bound.

…Sent by Thomas Davy 3/9 in full for my club arrears due this night as a member of the Mayfield [Friendly] Society.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some boiled mutton and cucumbers. After dinner walked down to Whyly for the gloves I left there yesterday, but did not stay. At home all day except as above; but very little to do in the shop. In the evening Joseph Fuller chatted with me some time.

I dined on some boiled mutton. In the afternoon my old acquaintance Mr Francis Elless came to see me, and he, Dame Dallaway and her daughter drank tea with me… Mr Francis Elless stayed and took a part of my bed. At home all day and very little to do. Never did I know business at this season so dull before.

…I dined on some lamb’s liver and rashers of pork fried. At home all day, but not at all busy. Mr Elless spent part of the day with me.

In the evening paid Joseph Fuller Jr in cash 2.19.6 and by 2 bills for goods 3.19.6, which together is the sum of 6.8.6 and is in full for the note of hand I gave him the 11th July last for a bill I then received of him on Mr Swainstone, value 6.8.4. I have now taken up my note of hand.

My late servant Mary Martin came to see me in the morning and breakfasted with me. She, myself and servant were at church in the morning… My late servant dined with me on a lamb’s head, liver, lights, mint etc. boiled, a piece of pork and carrots. Myself, late and present servants at church in the afternoon… My late servant and Mr Shoesmith drank tea with me.

After tea I walked up to Mr Joseph Fuller’s, where I smoked a few pipes and came home.

…I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day, but not very busy. In the evening wrote my London letters.

I think I never in my life knew any place so much is gone off for trade as is this place since I have lived in it. Most of the principal inhabitants, as we esteemed them, being dead and the remaining reduced, trade is got to be very trifling.

The occasion of poverty’s being so frequent proceeds from luxury and imprudence, I fear, too often. For custom has brought tea and spiritous liquors so much in fashion that I dare be bold to say they often, too often, prove our ruin. For by the frequent and continual use of them we increase our expenses, bring on idleness and render ourselves less capable to struggle with the world and above all hurt our health and I doubt often, by the too frequent use of both, entail a weakness upon our progeny.