Sam Virgoe, a-writing for me, dined with me on part of a cold beef pie. Paid Mr Ben Shelley in cash 14.10.10 in full for the same sum he paid in London for me this week… My brother came over in the afternoon… I received of him in cash 2.11.9 in full for a parcel of silk handkerchiefs bought of me today…
My old acquaintance Mr Coates’s servant accidentally happened to be at my house this afternoon and drank tea with me again. Oh, a most delicious and savory morsel for the gossiping part of my neighbors to chew and bandy about from house to house. Surely it must be vastly entertaining and pretty, as well as improving to introduce Mr and Mrs Turner (that is to be) in chat at their tea tables. “Why really, who could never thought Mr Turner would have courted such-a-one! Surely Miss such-a-one or B—-such-a-one would be a much better match for him, but there, he is so very difficult that nothing will go down with him but a woman that can talk fine and one who he thinks he can be master of.
Well, for my part I don’t envy her happiness. I am sure I would not have him was I in her place. No, I wouldn’t. Only think how he used his last wife, poor creature. But there, I warrant you this poor girl, as she has had a misfortune as they say, is willing to have anybody that will have her. Well, I don’t doubt but he’ll have paid off for his old sins, and I really wish he may.” And is not all this vastly pretty? But I can assure you, my good friends, neighbors, acquaintances, intimates, gossips, lovers, haters, foes, farters, friskers, cuckolds and all other sorts of Christians of what name or denomination soever, that there has not been one word of courting yet a passed between us, or ever will be. And if this can’t satisfy your consciences, even think and say as you like, for it will still be one and the same thing to your humble servant.
