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…At home all day. In the evening wrote my London letters, and Mr Tipper and I played a few games of cribbage; I won of him 3d. Pretty busy in the day.

In the morning my late servant went home. Myself, brother and servant at church in the morning… My brother dined with me on a bullock’s tongue boiled, a raisin pond butter pudding and turnips. Myself, brother and servant at church in the afternoon…

After churchtime my brother went away immediately. I drank tea at Mrs Fuller’s. In the evening Mr Tipper, Thomas Davy and Thomas Durrant sat with me, to whom I read some of Delany’s and Tillotson’s sermons. My servant sat up with Mrs Brook. Thomas Durrant lodged at my house.

My old servant Mary Martin came to see me in the forenoon and dined with me on the part of the neck of mutton bought today roasted in the oven and a batter pudding under it and remains of yesterday’s dinner.

In the afternoon my brother Will came to see me, and he, together with my late servant and Ann and Sal Prall, who had bought many things in the shop, drank tea with me. My late servant and my brother stayed all night. At home all day and pretty busy. But oh, that melancholy gloom that hangs on my brow, a gloom that almost I think has worn me to my native dust!

John Watford and his son and grandson, being a-gathering of apples for me part of the day, dined with me on a piece of beef and bacon boiled, an apple pudding and cabbage… Completed posting my day book today.

At home all day and not very well in the evening, proceeding, as I imagine, from leading so recluse and sedentary a life together with the anxiety and uneasiness of mind I labor under. In the morning my brother came over for some hop-bagging… In the afternoon he called on me in his road to Lewes. I sent by him to Mr Stephen Fletcher, servant to Mr Sam Ridings, (and now at Lewes) one bill on Mr Will Margesson.
 

Bett Mepham a-ironing for me today and dined with me on a piece of beef boiled and an apple pudding and some carrots. In the day posted part of my day book.

In the evening went into Joseph Durrant’s, where I signed and sealed two bonds security etc. for John Long and Sam Jenner, now employed as hop-assistants in the revenue of excise. The obligation of each bond was two hundred pounds; my partner and joint obliger was Robert Hook. The witnesses: Thomas Pepper the supervisor and Thomas Tipper, officer of excise. I stayed there till about 11:20. Thomas Durrant lodged at my house. Paid Elizabeth Mepham 6d for her day’s work. A very wet afternoon.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. In the afternoon posted part of my day book. At home all day and really very little to do. Oh, the melancholy time!

Dame Akehurst a-washing for me the whole day and dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day and very little to do. In the evening Mr Tipper sat with me a while.
 

My father Slater come to see me in the morning and breakfasted with us and stayed an hour or two with me and then went home. Dame Akehurst a-washing for me all day and dined with me on a piece of beef roasted and horse-radish. At home all day.

In the evening went down to Jones’s, where we had a vestry held to consult on proper ways to raise a sum of money to pay for new-pewing and beautifying the church etc. It was agreed to raise or hire any sum requisite to pay off the whole expense, and the interest and part of the principal to be paid every year. In the evening my brother called on me in his road home from Selmeston Fair, but did not stay.

In the evening after I came home from the vestry, I wrote my London letters. Dame Akehurst lodged at my house all night. Not at all busy the whole day. A melancholy time. I think I shall pine away with grief at the thoughts…

I breakfasted with my friend and Mr Tipper and I dined with him on a shoulder of mutton roasted and French beans. My servant at home dined at Joseph Durrant’s. After dinner we set out for home. We took Brighthelmstone in our road home where we stayed and baited ourselves and horses. Came home very safe and sober about 8:10, but very tired. Spent today as under:

To Mr Richardson’s maid	0.0.6
Do. ostler	0.0.6
Do. horse at Brighton	0.0.6
Do. tea at do.	0.0.7½
Do. Wine at do.	0.0.3
Turnpike	0.0.2
	0.2.6½

Paid Mr Richardson in cash 1.7.6 in full. Dame Akehurst the younger lodged at my house, she being to wash for me tomorrow.

Paid Joseph Fuller 10½d for a loin of mutton bought of him today for James Burrage. I dined on some bones of beef boiled and carrots. After dinner my brother came over to stand the shop for me while I went to Steyning…

About 1:30 Mr Tipper and I set out for Steyning, he to meet his brother and I to see my friend George Richardson. We arrived at Steyning about 7:20. I supped with my friend, and he, myself, Mr Tipper and his brother spent the evening at an adjoining inn. I lodged at Mr Richardson’s and went to bed sober…

Mrs Vine the younger and her children, buying some things in the shop, drank tea with my brother, who went home in the evening. Bett Mepham lodged with my servant.