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…Mr Tomlin stayed and dined with me on some lamb chops and set forward on his journey. At home all day, and but very little to do. A very remarkable rainy forenoon. Thomas Durrant lodged at my house.
 

…Mrs Jones, coming to the shop, breakfasted with me. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with some cucumbers. At home all day. In the forenoon my brother came over, but did not stay. Thomas Durrant lodged at my house. A very dull time for trade, and “Money, money!” is the general cry of everyone.

In the forenoon Mr John Robinson, rider to Mir William Margesson, called on me and I balanced accounts with him, but neither paid him any money nor gave him an order.

I dined on a beef pudding and some carrots… Rec’d of Mr Porter in cash 4.12.3 in full for the same sum assessed on him the 9th instant by a poor rate made that day. At home all day, and but very little to do.

…At home all day, and but very little to do. In the evening Joseph Fuller smoked a pipe with me.

Oh, melancholy time! How do the ideas of that valuable woman, my wife, constantly present themselves to my mind!… [34 words omitted].
 

Rec’d of Mr Thomas Carman…6.9.0 in full for the same sum he received yesterday of Mr Will Michell for poor tax assessed upon his Grace the Duke of Newcastle for Halland House and woodlands by a poor rate made the 9th instant. I also received of Mr Carman 1.2.6 for his poor tax due from the same rate…

Myself and servant at church in the morning… I dined on a cold beef pie and cucumbers. Myself and servant at church in the afternoon… Mr and Mrs Carman and their son drank tea with me, as did also Thomas Durrant. After Mr Carman was gone, Thomas Durrant, Mr Tipper and myself took a walk for a little air, it being a pleasant evening.

In the afternoon and evening I read two of Tillotson’s sermons. This day a prayer of thanksgiving was read for her Majesty’s happy delivery, as was also the young prince prayed for in the service. A melancholy time — no pleasant or agreeable companion to spend even a few minutes with. All, all is melancholy and dismal sadness.

…Dame Mott breakfasted with me (who bought many things). I dined on a cold beef pie and a piece of pork boiled and carrots.

In the forenoon went down to Halland where I received of Mr Coates in cash 18/2 in full for a bill delivered the 14th for goods delivered to Halland for the use of the Duke of Newcastle this last time of his being there. I also received of Mr Coates 18/- in full for poor tax assessed on him by a rate made the 9th instant. Rec’d of Joseph Fuller in cash 24/- in full for the same sum assessed on him by a poor rate made the 9th instant.

Dame Roase, buying many things in the shop, drank tea with me. In the evening wrote my London letters. Thank God I have been very busy all day, and I may say the busiest day I have known this many a day. Ok, what pleasure it is to be busy! It quite cheers the spirits and chases away the gloom that hangs on a melancholy brow…
 

Rec’d of John Nutley in cash and flour 7/6 in full for his poor tax by a poor rate made the 9th instant… In the evening we had a pretty severe tempest of thunder and lightning, the latter being very severe, but the thunder seemingly was more at a distance. There was some rain, though but a small quantity. At home all day and but very little to do.
 

Robert Hook, a-gardening for me all day, dined with me on a piece of beef boiled and some cabbage. In the evening finished posting my day book. At home all day and very busy a-marking up a parcel of earthenware.

Rec’d of John Piper in cash 1.19.0 in full for poor tax assessed on the land, late Mr Will Piper’s, by a poor rate made the 9th instant. Very little to do in the shop all day. A most melancholy time…

…I dined on a chick pudding and carrots. At home all day busy a-writing. In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr and Mr Tipper sat a while with me. Low, very low all day. No one glimpse of hope gives any pleasing sensation to my tortured mind. No friend, no pleasing companion… [52 words omitted].
 

I paid 2d for 6 plaice bought at the door today. I dined on some boiled plaice with the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Paid Ben Shelley in cash…33.16.11½ and is in full for the same sum he paid in London for me this week; viz.,

To cash paid Mr William Margesson for which Mr Shelley has given me no receipt	32.2.0
To a scale beam	0.1.9
To a shaving box and brush	0.2.6
To the porter and a quart bottle	0.0.5½
To money paid Mrs Mary Chandler in full on account of Mr James Fuller	1.8.6
To 6 papers ink powder	0.2.0

At home all day and but very little to do. Rec’d of John Watford 12/- in full for poor tax by an assessment made the 9th instant.