The Thoresby Society

Jan. 1. Die Dom. Morning, being in library before day, was thankful for the reviving light of the day and year, especially for the Day-spring from on high. Mr. Midgeley preached from Psalm xcv. 6. Afternoon, Mr. Paley preached from Eccles. xi. 1 : he particularly recommended the charity-children as proper objects of a regard extended to souls and bodies, whereby we may hope for a great improvement in the next generation, and that they will instruct those that come after; which he pressed with such arguments and fervency, that the collections were greater than ever before, viz. above 40£.

3. Morning, read Henry ; then accounting till eleven. Afternoon, had visitants till four, then with parson Robinson, who told me that our friend Mr. Gale, of Keighley,* was found dead in his bed last night; but he was a pious man and fit for death, how sudden soever. Had daughter and two nieces with their husbands to supper, but was sadly alarmed with the chimney next my library being on fire, but it was extinguished without much damage. I was more concerned for that, than all the house besides.

4. Morning, read Henry; was truly thankful for the deliverance from the danger of the fire last night : wrote till eleven. Afternoon, writing to the Bishops of Lincoln and Londonderry* till dark, with relations at son Wood's ; stayed too late.

7. Morning, read Henry ; writing to both Mr. Gales and Captain Stevens, till eleven ; afternoon, at Cousin W.'s ; after evening prayers, read Dr. Mead's new Treatise of the Plague; and after, had a bad night Avith the thoughts of that most dreadful of all distempers, and fear of it in this county, particularly by arrival of a ship at Burlington, which is ordered to be burnt.

8. Die Dom. Morning, in the beloved library ; and as the daylight began to dispel the darkness of the night, so that of my mind in some measure. Mr. Codkson preached from Ephes. v. 8 ; afternoon, Mr. Forster preached from 1 Cor. iv. 6 : It is rash judgment, when upon uncertain reports, when the party is not present to defend himself, when a judge acts the part of a counsellor against him ; when from a single act habits are inferred; when from the evils that befal a man : it is unjust to God and man, and foolish also, for he must needs neglect his own concerns that is so busy in other men's.

9. Morning, read Henry; transcribed the prayer to be used during the continuance of our danger from the plague ; writ about Bibles, and for poor ministers, till eleven ; afternoon, visited by the Bishop of Man's son, Mr. Wilson, till four, when walked to the Bank, where Mr. Bingley, ray son's brother coming, detained us too long.

10. Morning, read and writ till past ten, when a clergyman and merchant from Sweden, coming to see the curiosities, prevented me of church; part of the afternoon with them at Mr. Buck's.

17. Forenoon as usually ; then writ til! about three; showing the museum to some gentry from Ireland, till dark.

23. Morning, read Henry ; writ extracts from Sir John Lewys's manuscript, till eleven ; afternoon, finished my perusal of the said manuscript, wherein some things remarkable of Sir John's favour with the King of Persia, &c.; the good use this religious Baronet made of his wealth, may be in part seen by the regulation of his hospital, at Ledsham.

24 Read till light; then writ to my Lady Betty Hastings about ditto Manuscript, and to Mr. Gale, about his father's, till eleven.

25. Read til] light; afternoon, amongst, charity-books received from London; evening, with relations, at cousin Cockhill's.

26. Morning, amongst ditto books ; sorting them for the charitable persons who desired me to write for them, till five; visited by Mr. L. and H., and again prevented of evening prayers.

28. Morning, walked to Hunslet with Mr. Paley's charity-books, and to Mr. F.'s about business; after, writing, and putting up ditto books for Mr. Frogget, till evening, with Mr. Mason, from Ireland.

31. Read Henry ; then writ till eleven ; at church ; concluded the perusal and brief extracts from Dr. Nieuentyt's Religious Philosopher, translated by my learned and ingenious friend, John Charnberlayne, Esq., in three volumes, wherewith I have been often much affected; was after at Mr. Pendlebury's, to return him the said books.

Feb. 3. Morning, read Henry ; then abroad about business, till eleven ; at church ; had good Mr. Frog-get's ingenious company ; read the learned Mr. An-stis's Specimen of the History of the Knights of the Garter, full of curious matter, and correcting mistakes in the best authors extant.

4. Read Henry; then about manuscripts till eleven ; afternoon, making an Index to Mr. Per-kins's Manuscripts till near evening.

5. Die Dom. Morning, read Bishop Wetenhall of the Sacrament; Mr. Paley preached from 1 Cor. x. 31, If our hearts were as full of divine love as they ought, it would be more manifest in our behaviour to our friends and neighbours, both in acts of kindness and reproof, which is as necessary, but to be performed with wisdom and caution ; carry this disposition into our religious performances, (of which, hereafter,) only he took occassion to reprove, and justly, the ceremony of bowing to one another in time of divine service, which is preferring our respects to man before the service of the great God ; this, set on by his usual fervency, will, I hope, restrain that licentious custom. Afternoon, Mr. Barnard preached from 1 John ii. 15 ; insisting upon 1st the lawful, 2d the sinful, love of the world, when our affections are immoderately fixed upon the pleasures and profits of it, making them the Diana, &c.

6. Read Henry till light, and writ till eleven ; at church ; after dinner, at son Wood's ; walked to Coit-Beeston, to visit the ingenious Mr. Forster, indisposed ; stayed late enough ; saw an unusual phenomenon in the air, that we could see to read some words by the light of it, some hours before the moon rose.

9. Read Henry ; wrote till eleven ; at funeral of Mr. East's son ; this day was also buried W. Jackson, in the prime of his days ; dined at cousin Cook-son's, with Chr. Gale, Esq. Chief Justice of Providence and all the Bahama Islands, who spent the rest of the day with me in the museum.

10. Morning, read and wrote till eleven ; at church ; afternoon, at the funeral of Mr. T. Rontree, one of the Lords of this Manor, that might have been expected to survive me.

11. Read, &c. ; then visited again by Judge Gale and Captain Denbigh, to see the collections, which prevented my getting to the morning prayers ; (and this has been a sad week, being so slippery that I could not once get to the evening, without hazard.)

13. Morning, read Henry ; then with Mr. Roebuck ; designed to walk to Ledstone-hall; we visited in our way Mrs. Ibbetson, at Kippax, (the Doctor's mother,) and got to my lady's in good time. I was agreeably entertained by the pious Lady Betty with books ; so, after supper, with the Lady Katherine and Lady Margaret. Mr. Roebuck read in Burkitt upon the New Testament before family prayer.

14. Morning ; after the usual chapter and family prayers from the Manual of Devotions, we walked to Ledsham, where this pious lady is now erecting a very handsome and convenient vicaragerhouse, and also a very noble charity-school, wherein twenty poor girls are to be wholly maintained with food, raiment, and learning ; returned through the Park in time for the second of the four times of prayer in this religious family ; spent rest of day in converse ; and evening, at my lady's request, explaining some difficulties in heraldry and pedigrees, wherein her ladyship showed herself a wonderful proficient.

15. Morning, walked to Brotherton to visit my sister Rayner and family ; called also to visit the learned Mr. Daubuz's widow, who gave me the first rough draught of his admirable treatise upon the Revelations ; her mother, the pious and learned Dr. Guide's widow, came in to visit me; returned in time to dine with my lady. Evening, there was dancing for health of the body, and prayers for the soul.

16. Morning, after family prayers took leave of this incomparable lady and her sisters, the Lady Katherine and Lady Margaret; then returned with Mr. Roebuck, my fellow traveller ; visited Mr. Read, Vicar of Kippax ; received from himself an account of his surprising distemper, a periodical return at spring and fall of the symptoms that attended the bite of a serpent; inter alia, his skin is discoloured like a snake's ; he showed me also Dr. Mead's prescription for it. After a moderate refreshment at Whitkirk, we got well home in good time; was the evening at the vicarage, &c.

21. Morning, read Henry; wrote to Lady Betty Hastings; after dinner showing museum to Mr. Sawray, of Broughton Tower.

23. Morning, read Henry ; then taking a catalogue of seventy-four Roman and Greek medals, (part of the late Mr. Laughton's* collection at Cambridge,) the noble present of Mrs. Farmery, of Tick-hill, received yesterday, till eleven ; afternoon, proceeding in Camden's Brit, for the Bishop of Lincoln.

25. Wrote a letter of thanks to Mrs. Farmery; then about Camden, &c.

March 8. Morning, read Henry ; then writing to the Bishop of Lincoln, to whom sent the three Ridings of Yorkshire, with the maps corrected. Mr. Exley preached from Heb. iv. 9, " There re-maineth a rest." Afternoon, visited cousins Wilson and Kirkshaw ; had Mr. Paley's and Mr. Barnard's company.

9. Morning, read and wrote till eleven ; finished the perusal of the first and second parts of the ingenious and pious letters, between Theophilus and Eugenic. Afternoon, walked to Coit-Beeston, to visit dear Mr. Forster, indisposed and spiritless; stayed too late with Mr. L. and H.

10. Writing to Mr. Lewis, of the Isle of Thanet, concerning Wickliff, (whose Life he is about to publish, and desires my assistance.)

14. Morning, read and wrote till eleven ; after, finished perusal of the History and Antiquities of Cambridge ; some of the former part, by Cantalupe, is in the old strain, from Gurgant ; but in the latter, by Parker, are many things worthy of remark. After, to visit I. S. sick and poor.

15. Morning, wrote till eleven ; at church. Mr. Thomson, I believe, preached well, but I was an unprofitable, if at all, a hearer ; his voice extended not to my dull ears. Afternoon, at cousin Cookson's, and with Mr. Paley, to visit cousin Wilson.

20. Finished second perusal of the letters and proposals for printing the New Testament and Psalter in the Arabic language, for the benefit of the poor Christians in Palestine, &c., which is a most excellent charity, and for which I have procured and paid several subscriptions, &c.

28. Read Henry; then upon Manor accounts till eleven ; after, till four, with Parson Robinson, and cousin Aid burgh till evening. This day, died Mrs. Brearey, the first who died Mayoress of Leeds.

29. Read and wrote till church-time. Mr. Carr preached from Matt. xi. 30, concerning the uneasiness of a sinful course, and the pleasure of a religious life. Afternoon, conversing with the dead; reading letters to me, anno 1704, above thirty of my then correspondents, mostly learned and pious men, being since dead.

31. Read Henry ; sent for to poor cousin Addi-son's ; she died this morning in her sleep, and two wakers by the side of her, yet knew not of it till some time after. Afternoon, with Mr. Moult, assisting Mr. W. in sending books to his son, a minister in the West of England.

April 2. Die Dom. Read Bishop Wetenhall, of Closet Devotion in Secret Prayer ; humbly desirous of dear Mr. Forster's recovery to his edifying and eloquent preaching, and former usefulness ; as also in compassion to poor Mrs. Ray, who is in great misery and pain.

4. Morning, read Henry ; wrote till eleven ; after, walked to Coit-Beeston, to visit dear Mr. Forster; found him very weak ; was much troubled when he told me he looked upon himself as a dying man ; was burning some papers. When I expressed my concern, he told me it was imperfect matter, not his Sermons and Common-place Book, which, in his will, that he had begun, he bequeathed to me, if worth my acceptance. I returned with a sad heart, fearing I shall never see him again in the land of the living.

5. Morning, read Henry ; wrote to London. Mr. Clapharnson preached from Psalm xv, 12. Afternoon, read letters of deceased friends, and wrote till evening prayers.

6. Morning, conversing with the dead till eleven ; at church ; and after, till four, when showing collections to the little gentleman with the great name, Mr. Wyndham, with whom at the Saxon's too late.

10. Morning, read Henry ; finished second perusal of the agreeable letters, (amongst which, one of King George's,) relating to the Protestant Mission at Tranquebar ; then writing to Judge Gale. Afternoon, at the Vicarage, with son Wood.

12. Read Henry ; wrote to Mr. Secretary New-man about charity books, and Arabic version of the New Testament; sent him a bill for 24£. 11s. 9d.

19. Had more severe pain in the back of my head than I have had for several years past. Read Henry; then writing about earnest business for Mrs. Ray and another widow, and cousins. Afternoon read and wrote till evening prayers.

20. Had a restless night for my dear son, because of the storm of wind and rain : about ten was happily surprised by his safe arrival. Afternoon we walked to Coit-Beeston, to visit Mr. Forster, who is very weak. In return, visited the two ingenious surveyors ; after had Mr. Lucas's company.

21. Morning, had son's assistance in family ; then to breakfast at Alderman Cookson's; took leave of him, who is for France ; then walked to son Wood's. Had my three sons and daughter at dinner. Afterwards to visit sister Wilson till evening prayers, when my dear son officiated, and I hope his voice will reach the church. Had afterwards Mr. Thursby and the Saxon's company till late.

23. Die Dom. My dear son preached, for the Vicar, from Psalm xxxvii. 37. " Mark the perfect man," &c. Showing very well, 1st, what sort of person the perfect and upright man in the text is, not to be undersood of a person that has attained the state of sinless perfection, which is not to be expected in this mortal life, but such as is depicted in the sacred scriptures, particularly Psalm xv., Job xxxi., Matthew v.; a man who, though burdened with the infirmities of this mortal body, and subject to a great variety of imperfections which he daily bewails, yet still aspires to things divine, and breathes after God .... we are like persons rowing against the stream, if ever we cease to advance we inevitably lose ground. Dined with the clergy at the vicarage. Afternoon Mr. Booth, of Rawdon, preached very well on love one to another.

May 1. Morning read, &c. ; then with relations at cousin Cookson's till eleven. Afternoon walked to Coit-Beeston to the funeral of my dear friend Mr. Forster. Mr. Paley preached excellently, and gave a just and large character of the deceased, of which I hope to procure a copy : it was the most sorrowful funeral, and Holbeck chapel the most crowded, of many years. In return had Mr. Barnard's company, &c.

2. Visited cousin Whitaker ; and after dinner at son Wood's. Evening had visitants, relations and others, who stayed till past midnight.

3. Morning, took leave of my dear son for Bug-den, with a sad heart, it being a very rainy day, which raised the waters, to which my whole stock, two sons and son-in-law, were exposed ; read a little till eleven. Afternoon wrote a little ; then at cousin C.'s till evening prayers. After walked to the Bank, two sons returned safe, and left son Thoresby well, at Wentbridge. Laus Deo !

5. After usual reading, &c. perusing the parish register for Judge Gale's use, till eleven ; at church ; so afternoon till even.

11. Being sent for to Morley, I walked thither to assist poor old widow Judith Moore, against the • abuse of her late sister Metcalf s kindred.

12. Morning, Mr. Aldred prayed in family ; then in his library, where are several valuable books ; then at the funeral of widow Han. Metcalf; Mr. Aldred preached well from, " I go the way of all flesh." Afterwards had contests of T. M.'s nephews, and then returned, sufficiently wearied.

13. Morning, read Henry ; then with the contending parties at the lawyers, which took up all the forenoon.

18. Morning, read ; then taking an abstract from the statutes of New College, Oxon, concerning the election of the founder's kinsmen, from my valuable manuscript, for rny good friend Mr. Anstis, King-at-Arms, till eleven ; so after till even.

24. Read Henry ; then writing to the Bishop of Lincoln ; till past eleven at New Church : after read and wrote till near six, that the Rector of Birmingham came to see curiosities.

30. Morning, read Henry ; then conversed with the dead till eleven. Afternoon, wrote a little, till diverted by the eldest sons of two ancient families, Sir John Gascoigne's, and Mr. Plompton's, of Plomp-ton.

June 3. Observed with concern how much time has been consumed the last month in showing the museum to visitants, yet without any addition to curiosities.

9. Read and wrote till past ten, when unhappily prevented by an artist from York to see the curiosities ; wrote till three, when at the Bank, and with relations at church, where stood surety for my grandson Robert . . . This is the first time I ever officiated in this kind, but I looked upon myself under a prior obligation in conscience to do what I then promised for the good of its soul; spent rest of day and evening with relations there.

17. Read . . . wrote in library till eleven ; and after finished the perusal of the ever famous Athana-sius's Life, barbarously persecuted by the Arians for his resolute defence of the orthodox faith; and it is observable to me, from the author's notes (though it is evident he was a brisk man against the Dissenters) that the first time the article of Christ's descent into hell being inserted into any creed, was by the Arian Council at Arminuin, p. 156. Walked to see my daughter and grandchild at the Bank, whither one could not get yesterday, even on horseback, for the flood occasioned by the thunder-shower.

18. Die Dom. The Vicar preached from Rom. i. 16. After dinner walked to Holbeck, where their new minister, Mr. Day, preached very well.

19. Morning, read Henry; wrote in library till eleven. After dinner walked to Hunslet, to procure a tenant, &c. Mr. Blanshard, our worthy lecturer, was this afternoon interred at Chapel-Allerton, whither he was retired for the air, dying of a consumption.

24. Rode to Wakefield to the funeral of Cousin Ben. Milner (the Alderman's brother).

25. Die Dom. Read Henry. Mr. Lowther preached very well from Acts xi. 13. Afternoon, Mr. Paley preached from Gal. vi. 9. He afterwards" expounded to the catechumens the second commandment, with some curious and learned, and many practical inferences, suited to their capacities.

28. Read and wrote till eleven ; at church ; after, finished the perusal of the Earl of Anglesey's Memorials, wherein are some notable remarks against Popery, yet favourable to Papists; wrote till evening.

30. Morning, got family dispatched, but spent the whole day with the Herald ; after dinner at Mr. Smith's ; walked to Beeston to visit the two Hebrew ladies ; was late enough with company.

July 1. Morning, read and writ; after, with Mr. Barnard, subscribing, with the vicar and Mr. Robinson, a testimonial for Mr. Bywater to the Bishop of Lincoln, to whom writing till noon ; had ditto gentlemen to dinner, and after in library.

2. Die Dom. Morning, read; Mr. Nalson (the famous Doctor's son, who was a native of this parish) preached excellently from " There is more joy in heaven, &c. ;" had Mr. Warburton, &c. to dinner; afternoon, Mr. Cockshut preached from the Acts, " What shall we do to be saved ?" had friends' company to supper, &c.

3. Morning, read and writ a little ; then with Mr. Warburton at the Bank; had his and his fellow artist's company to dinner ; afterwards took leave of him for York.

7. Read and writ till eleven ; after, perused Dr. Stukeley's curious account of a Roman temple in Scotland, full of ancient learning.

10. Morning, read Henry ; then walked to Hed-ingly, at cousin Betty Cockhill's request, to give her in marriage to her second husband, Mr. Morris Freeman ;* spent the day with them till evening prayer.

11. Morning, read and writ till eleven; then showing the museum to Mr. Kerr, a Scotch gentleman of the Earl of Roxburgh's family, with whom dined at R. C.'s.

12. Read Henry ; writ till past ten, when Dr. Skelton and relations, amongst whom, dear Mr. Thornton's daughter, came to see the museum, which kept me employed till about one.

13. Morning, read and writ till past ten, when Madam Watkinson, who is erecting a noble monument for her mother in St. John's, was desirous to consult me about the arms ; after prayers, consulting manuscripts thereupon till three, when waited upon her again, and having dispatched that, stayed a little there ; with the vicar and cousin Kirkshaw.

21. Read and writ till eleven; after, finished perusal of Dr. Harris's History of Kent, wherein, besides a great zeal for the Revolution, are many curiosities. Evening, had cousin Freeman to supper.

24. Morning, read Henry; then proceeding in the consideration of distributing my slender estate, by will, to my poor children, till eleven ; at prayers ; and after, till prevented by visitants, relations, and in the evening, the Hebrew lady from Beeston.

Aug. 15. Read Henry, and writ till eleven ; after, Mr. Clegg, of Derbyshire, came to see the museum.

16. This morning I finished the perusal of my late dear friend Mr. Henry's Exposition of the Prophetical books of the Old Testament; his useful notes and practical observations have been very agreeable, and I hope profitable to me, having much affected me, as particularly that in the llth of Jeremiah. God keeps an account how long we have enjoyed the means of grace, and how powerful those means have been ; that also of the Rechabites, that the greatest blessing that can be entailed upon a family, is to have the worship of God kept up in it, from generation to generation. This is my fervent prayer for my posterity, whom I am the more concerned for, because going to leave them in a world full of temptations, having this day completed my grand climac-terical year, and have now reason to compute the slender pittance of my time, rather by hours or minutes, than months or years, only I beg that the Lord would make me useful while I am continued here below, and prepare me for the celestial mansions above, and that religion may for ever flourish in all that descend from me.

21. Morning, read Henry ; taking a review of nart of my pilgrimage ; then proceeding in taking account of the intrinsic value of the silver medals in the museum, in order to make a more equal distribution of my slender estate amongst my poor children ; afternoon, abroad about business ; concluded Mather's Essay on Illustrious Providences, wherein are many very remarkable and well-attested relations.

24, 25, 26. Was all three days in the library, so placing the ancient coins and medals, as may be best distinguished upon my death, those in the printed catalogue from those added since.

Sept. 11. Read and writ till eleven ; and after till three, at funeral of Mr. Payler Smith's wife ; then with relations.

12. Forenoon as usually, save to visit the sorrowful widower, who returned post from London, but not in time to see his wife alive or dead ; afternoon showing collections to a gentlewoman from the Bishop of Lincoln's, and others, till evening.

13. Read and writ till eleven ; then to do a kindness for an ingenious artist, and at parson Robinson's : writ a little till dark, then with Mr. L. and H. to visit Mr. Smith in his solitary state.

15. Read as usually ; then had a Switzer painter upon Mrs. Ray's account; afternoon, writing letters to Bugden, per Mrs. Dipper, and to London, per Mr. Smith ; visited both, &c.

17. Die Dom. Read Henry; affected in there-view of the period when the intermitting fever and apoplectic illness seized me, Sept. 1698. Mr. Breary preached from Acts ii. 27, concerning Christ's descent into hell. Hades not the place of the damned ; it is more proper surely to look for the soul of Christ in Paradise, as he told the penitent thief, than with Judas, in hell. Jesus Christ completed our redemption upon the cross, not in hell.

18. Read, &c. ; then showing collections to some gentlemen from Oxfordshire ; rest of day in library, till evening.

22. Read and writ till past ten, when two young-predicants came to consult Manuscript Bibles; afternoon, read and writ till evening.

24. Die Dom. Morning, the Vicar preached from Eccles. vii. 14 ; afternoon, Mr. Paley preached concerning the divine nature of Christ. I finished the perusal of the funeral sermon for Mrs. E. Bury, a gentlewoman of great learning and parts, as well as piety, able to consult her Bible in the original languages, &c.

Oct. 4. Read and wrote till eleven ; and after, till three, showing collections to some friends of son Wood, (as yesterday to two Roman Catholic priests, and other gentlemen of that communion). Evening, at the wake-supper at son's.

7. All day with workmen. Finished perusal of Pacata Hibernia, during the government of Carew (Earl of Totness), the repulse of the Spaniards, &c. After evening prayers, began Plot's Oxfordshire.

8. Die Dom. The Vicar preached suitably to the occasion (the new Mayor's election) from 1 Pet. ii. 14 ; showing the duty incumbent on the magistrate to punish the bad, &c. else wickedness would gather strength by impunity.

12. Transcribing cousin Cookson's manuscript Journal to Holland, till seven.

16. Morning, read Henry ; in library till eleven ; at church. After, abroad about business ; then following the corpses of my poor afflicted niece's two children, Joseph and Mary Cockhill, both dead of the small-pox, which is this year extremely fatal.

25. Read Henry, and Mr. Gale's manuscript (Account) of his memorable sea-deliverance till eleven. Afternoon, proceeding in the catalogue of medals since the printed list.

Nov. 3. Read till eleven. Much of the afternoon abroad to visit the sick. Evening, at the Vicar's, to read the Lady Betty Hastings's letter about her designed benefaction of a thousand pounds, for the building of a new church in this town, which I hope will now proceed.

8. Wrote to Lady Betty Hastings, in thanks for a 1000£. towards a new church.

9. Morning, read ; then at Alderman Milner's about ditto. Wrote till eleven ; then to visit the poor Saxon very ill. Afternoon, read and wrote till evening.

10. Read Waterland's Sermons and Henry ; then with the Mayor, Mr. Robinson, and Dr. Brook, to enquire of my Lady's reply yesterday, and was agreeably surprised with her additional benefaction of 20£. per annum to be settled upon the vicarage, if the town will do the like, which it is hoped will be performed. Mr. Sympson, the Serjeant-at-Mace, his 200£. designed for a pious use, making 101. per annum ; and it is said an unknown benefactor will be the other sum. Mr. Fearn, of Holden, told me also that one Mr. Jefferson, who died lately, has left 20£. per annum to a parochial chapel, and as much to the Dissenting meeting-house.

12. Die Dom. Mr. Lowther preached from Matt. xi. 29, on the nature and extent of meekness ; like the sun, it should shed its benign influence upon all. Persons may be divided in opinion, yet conjoined in affection. Afternoon, Mr. Paley preached from Acts xiii. 28. Afterwards, finished the perusal of Dr. Waterland's excellent sermons in defence of the divinity of Christ, which are learned and accurate, and evince the author to be a solid and pious divine, and a judicious Christian antiquary.

13. Read and wrote till eleven. Afternoon, with Alderman Milner, who gave me great encouragement as to the 20£. per annum to be settled upon the vicarage, but enjoined secrecy.

15 Morning, rose about five ; read in Dr. Knight's Sermons and Henry, the one a learned Con-formist, the other a pious Nonconformist, which re-minds me of a remark good Mrs. Bury made upon reading Bishop Patrick's Witnesses to Jesus, " my soul blessed God for every helping hand to my faith, and begged more unity and purity for all that profess the Christian religion, the taste of which in any I find to unite my heart to them without distinction." To this I heartily subscribe, R. T. I now finished the perusal of the life and death of that learned, pious, and charitable gentlewoman, who expended considerable sums (and solicited others) for a stock of Bibles and practical books, to be distributed to poor householders. She had this pleasant remark upon herself, " I have acted the part of a beggar so long, that I am now almost one myself." I shall only recite one passage more, upon the death of a younger sister, " Juniors in the best sense, who have soonest done their work, and are first fit for glory."

22. Revived with my dear son's letter, about his brother's admission to the University.

26. Die Dom. Mr. Paley preached excellently from Gen. i. 1. Afternoon, Mr. Day preached from Rom. ii. 5, on the malignity of a hard heart, &c. Finished the perusal of Dr. Knight's sermons in de-lence of Christ's divinity ; they are learned, and too necessary. Am sorry for the occasion, from the im-of the age.

30. Read Henry and Daubuz ; and after, finished perusal of rny friend Mr. Collins's second volume of the Baronetage, wherein many families, as the Packing-tons, &c. are admirably well done, others more indifferently ; yet an useful book, though capable of amendments as well as additions. After prayers, read till about two, at cousin Wilson's and parson Robinson's, about the new designed church ; and then walked to the Bank, to see poor little grandchild, for whom my heart bleeds. Evening, read as usually in Plot, Henry, and Daubuz.

Dec. 8. The Vicar preached excellently from Isaiah xxvi. 8, and suitably to the occasion, being a fast-day to avert the plague. We have distempers that take off multitudes, and unusual lights in the firmament, which though philosophy may render a natural reason of, yet may they not prove dismal presages of future calamities ?

17. Die Dom. Dr. Brooke preached from Luke i. 76, 77. Afternoon, Mr. Day preached from Heb. ix. 27, 28. Read three excellent sermons in family, the late Bishop of St. Asaph's upon swearing, Dr. Knight's upon the anniversary meeting of the charity children, and Dr. Waddington's for propagation of the gospel in foreign parts, with an abstract of the Society's proceedings.

18. At cousin Wilson's about the poor's concerns. After, disposing of some plate to buy my son a gown and cassock.

21. Morning, as usually ; then with trustees to distribute great-grandfather Jenkinson's dole at Wood-house, Mark-lane, &c.

25. Was too much discomposed by the absence and indiscretion of son Richard.

26. Read and wrote till eleven. After, had Dr. Richardson's company, and read an account of the establishment for relief of poor proselytes.

27. Morning, read and wrote. The Vicar preached the anniversary sermon at St. John's, from Psalm lxxxiv. 1 ; and in the conclusion pressed earnestly the erection of a new church, justly celebrating the generosity of the Lady Betty Hastings; and Mr. Robinson, who upon Christmas-day subscribed the writings for the endowment of it with lands, the annual rents whereof amount now to 84£. I was after at the funeral of the late Mr. Ron tree's only son, dead of the small-pox; and in the evening, with the two schoolmasters about son Richard, and at the Saxon's.

28. Read, wrote till eleven. Afternoon, at Dr. Brooke's, who sent for me about printing his two anniversary sermons. Read after, as usually.

30. Read Henry, &c. ; then walked about four miles on business, though to little purpose: was weary, so sat down and finished the perusal of Dr. Plot's Natural History of Oxfordshire, the first, and excellent, that was ever wrote in this kind.

31. Die Dom. Began to transcribe Dr. Brooke's manuscript sermons ; then heard the Doctor, who preached from Luke ii. 14. He insisted largely upon the excellency of the Christian religion, compared with the imperfections of the Jewish, and impiety of the Pagan. Afternoon, Mr. Midgeley preached from Heb. ix. 26.