Wednsday, June 26 1754

[The following passage, from the lost volume “3B”, is taken from Sussex Archaeological Collections…, Vol. XI, p. 185:]

This day made an end of instructing Miss Day. Read part of The Spectator; prodigiously admire the beauties pointed out in the eighth book of Milton’s Paradise Lost by The Spectator’s criticism, wherein is beautifully expressed Adam’s conference with the Almighty, and likewise his distress on losing sight of the phantom in his dreams, and his joy in finding it a real creature when awake.
 

Sunday, August 6 1758

[The following excerpts from vol. 40 of the diary are taken from the Sussex Archaeological Collections, XI, 199-200.]

Pretty bad all day, with the stings of a guilty and tormenting conscience.

[Monday], August 14 1758

[The following excerpts from vol. 40 of the diary are taken from the Sussex Archaeological Collections, XI, 199-200.]

At home all day and thank GOD extremely busy. Was every day to be productive of as much business as today, I should in no wise envy the rich and great their continual rounds of ease and pleasure. No, it would add fresh vigor to my drooping spirits and give an agreeable elasticity to my ardent desire of carrying on my trade with vigor; then would I exert my utmost power in buying in my goods, that I might run them out with a quick return.

Wednesday, December 26 1759

Balanced accounts with Mr Will Piper and paid him in cash 15/3½ and by a book debt 6/8½, which together makes the sum of 1.2.0, and is in full for 2 sacks of oats… In the forenoon my brother came over and borrowed my horse. He came back and dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner.

In the evening I went into Joseph Durrant’s to smoke a pipe with Mr Thornton, where were Joseph Fuller Jr and Mr Elless. We stayed until near 3:20 when I came home sober. Mr Elless came and lodged at our house. I think I never spent an evening with less pleasure in my life, most of the company being in liquor, and very indifferent company, some before they were in liquor and some afterward, though if I speak truly I think universal good nature did not abound.

Gave the following boys as under for box money:

Stephen Starnes0.0.6
Richard Fuller0.0.6
Robert Hook0.0.3
Henry Vine0.0.6
Isaac Turner0.0.6
0.2.3

Paid Joseph Fuller 4/- for highway tax.