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In the morning delivered to a servant of Richard Vine’s, weaver at Laughton, in cash 3.10.0 in order for him to carry to Mr Gilmore, powder-maker in Battle, which when paid is in full on my account to Mr Gilmore.

This being the day appointed by proclamation for a general fast and humiliation, my servant and myself at church in the morning, the text in Jonah 3:5: “So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.” Myself and servant at church in the afternoon, where we had nothing but prayers.

After we came home we dined on some boiled tripe. Paid Mr Ben Shelley in cash 4.8.6 in full for the same sum he paid for me in London this week… In the evening Thomas Davy at our house in the evening, to whom I read one of Young’s Night Thoughts. My wife, poor creature, very bad.

In the forenoon my brother came over and brought my horse but did not stay… We dined on some boiled tripe and pork bones broiled… At home all day and busy a-marking up goods that came by the carrier. My wife rather better, but really very bad.

In the morning sent Thomas Durrant and Richard Fuller to the Wells for my brother’s daughter to come and be with my wife. Myself and servant at church in the morning… The banns between John Inman and Elizabeth Akehurst were published today for the first time. We dined on part of a sparerib roasted, a raisin batter pudding and applesauce. Myself and servant at church in the afternoon… In the evening read one of Tillotson’s sermons, and in the evening T. Durrant and R. Fuller brought my brother’s daughter. Rec’d of John Mott 2/- on account of the widow Virgoe.

…We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Paid Joseph Fuller Jr in cash 9.17.1, which is in full for the same sum paid per his order by Mr John Ready the 9th instant to Mr Will Margesson on my account. At home all day. My wife thank God somewhat better. My uncle Hill called on me in the forenoon, but did not stay.

In the morning John Watford carried home my mother Slater. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Mrs Porter and Mrs Hope drank tea with my wife, who in my opinion continues very ill and very dangerous, but how should I be transported with joy should it please Almighty God to restore her to her former health.

We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a plain bread pudding and a piece of pork and greens. At home all day; my wife very ill again. Paid a son of Mr Heaver, miller at Isfield, 16d for 3 bushels bran received by him today.

Oh, melancholy situation my wife extremely ill; quite alone, almost; and trade very dead; but still, what is this to the prospect of losing my intimate, my familiar and sincere friend?

Thomas Davy and John Babcock being a-gardening for me part of the day, they dined with us on a piece of pork boiled, apple pudding and greens. Paid Richard Fuller 2/11 for a leg of mutton received by him today weighing 10 lbs at 3½ d per lb. Paid Richard Jenner l4d in full for 2 bushels bran received by him today. At home all day. My wife very ill. Paid Thomas Richardson 10/6 (apprentice to Thomas Freeman) in full for pattens and clogs received by him today.

We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of some broiled sausages. Dame Durrant drank tea with my wife. At home all day, my wife very ill.

…At home all day. Very little to do. My wife very ill, but I hope something better.

In the morning rode over to Framfield, but did not stay. Came home and breakfasted and then set out for Lewes, where I dined at Mr Madgwick’s on a neck of veal roasted, and currant butter pudding cake boiled and greens (my family at home dining on a leg of mutton roasted, and potatoes).

I paid Mr John Madgwick in cash 2.13.2 in full for goods bought of him today, and also gave him in cash 1.18.6 in order for him to pay Mr Stephen Fletcher, servant to Mr Sam Ridings, in full on my account.

I called on Mr George Verral and Mr Thomas Scrase, and came home about 6:30 and, Oh, could I say sober — but my frail resolution and weak brain frustrated my intentions in that particular. Oh, how does the thought of it torment my conscience; well might the wise man say: a wounded spirit who can bear? So many times… [80 words omitted] …Drunkenness is only as an inlet to all other vices, for when reason is laid asleep, then, then! sense and passion ride triumphant, so weak is nature (or at least corrupt and fallen nature), but what I most stand aghast at is to think how miserable (nay, even past description) must my unhappy lot assuredly be should I asleep never to open my eyes again in this world (whenever I am in liquor). No, my portion must be that of the wicked person who knows not God, ab! and possibly more severe, nothing but wailing md weeping and gnashing of teeth… [47 words omitted].