The Diary, 1754–1765
I dined on a piece of pork, a plain suet pudding and greens boiled. At home all day and pretty busy. In the afternoon sent my servant up to Mrs Vine’s, where she received my audit bill of 1.5.6.
In the afternoon posted part of my day book. In the evening read part of Hervey’s Theron and Aspasio. Posted part of my day book.
This was the day appointed by authority for a general thanksgiving for the last peace [in February–the Treaty of Paris]. No service at our church in the morning, Mr Porter being on a journey.
Dame Akehurst, a-brewing for me today, dined with me on a piece of pork and beef boiled, an apple pudding and greens. About 2:30 went down to T. Davy’s to attend the corpse of his mother-in-law Mrs Burgess to church.
We had a sermon preached on occasion of the thanksgiving day by Mr Roger Chalice, Vicar of Mayfield, from the latter part of the 15th verse, 5th chapter, Book of Judges: “For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart.”
Sam Jenner drank tea with me, to whom and Thomas Durrant in the evening read one of Tillotson’s sermons. Rec’d of John Watford 3/- in full for 1 year’s window tax due Lady Day last.
We have had no kind of rejoicing in this place though it is the day for proclamation of peace and general thanksgiving throughout the nation. I think almost every individual seems to be dissatisfied with the peace thinking it an ignominious and inglorious one.
I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some boiled eggs… Rec’d of his Grace the Duke of Newcastle from Mr Will Michell by Joseph Fuller Jr in cash 24.15.0 in full for window and land tax due Lady Day last.
At home all day and very little to do. Completed posting my day book.
I dined on a hog’s cheek boiled, a light pudding and greens. In the afternoon my late servant Sal Waller and her lover Mr Hastings called to see me and drank tea with me. I received of my late servant 14/- in full. My servant and paramour went away about 6:20.
At home all day and very busy. Sam Jenner, being to a journey with me, took part of my bed.
Who can account for the inconsistent behavior of some women? During the time this girl was my servant, the person who was with her made his addresses to her, ah alas! all in vain. She even appeared to loathe, nay, hate the sight of him, but now I am inclined to believe she will soon make him her husband. What pity it is that the most beautiful of the creation is so fickle and unconstant.
About 3 o’clock Sam Jenner ad I set out for Newhaven to pay my friend Tipper a visit. We arrived about 6:10. We breakfasted with him and also dined with him on a leg of mutton broiled, a currant bread pudding and greens and green salad (my servant at home dining on the remains of yesterday’s dinner). We stayed and drank tea with Mr Tipper and then came away. Came home about 9:10, really very sober.
May the supreme and beneficent Being give me his Holy spirit over to restrain me from intemperance and drunkenness. Spent today as under:
| Turnpike and ferry | 0.0.5 |
| Gave the servant | 0.0.6 |
Sam Jenner dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day, vastly stiff and tired with my journey yesterday. In the evening wrote my London letters and read Shakespeare’s As You Like It and Taming a Shrew, both of which I think good comedies.
Sent Mr Thomas Calverley & Son…£20… Rec’d of Joseph Fuller 2.17.6 in full for window and land tax due Lady Day last. In the evening Thomas Durrant and I took a walk to collect some window and land tax. I received of Charles Vine per the payment of his wife 3/- in full for window tax. Came home about 8:10.
Rec’d of James Fuller in cash 2.12.0 in full for land and window tax due Lady Day last. Rec’d of Mrs Atkins in cash 2.17.6 in full for land and window tax due Lady Day last. In the forenoon walked down to Halland where I received of him 1.6.0 in full for land tax due Lady Day last. Rec’d of James Awcock 19/- in full. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a green salad. Rec’d of Thomas Davy 25/6 on account. Very little to do all day
In the morning my brother called on me in his road to the Dicker Fair, but did not stay. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some green salad. In the morning walked up to Mr Vince’s about some business, but did not find him at home.
At home all day, but very little to do, except as above. In the evening my brother called on me in his way home, and he had seen Mr Martin, who returned me by him the 20/- he received too much of me yesterday. In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr and Thomas Durrant smoked a pipe with me.
Rec’d of Thomas Davy 7/- in full for land and window tax due Lady Day last. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a green salad… At home all day and very little to do. In the evening read part of a volume of The Independent Whig by Mr Gordon…