Diary of James Caldwell (1759-1838) of Linley Wood, Talke, Staffordshire, England.
The following is a transcription from the diary of James Caldwell. This volume covers the period 1770-1808 (419 pages). For transcriptions of other diaries and notes please click here (Index of notes and diaries of James Caldwell).
Frontispiece [the lines are centred and in very flowing script]
Bells
Common Place
Book
Form'd generally upon the Principles
Recommended and Practised
by
Mrs Locke
London
Printed for John Bell near Exeter Exchange in the Strand
1770
[The first eight pages are pre-printed and headed "Illustration". Page 9 is a blank page. Page 10 - 17 are ruled horizontally and labelled alphabetically with 5 sub rulings per letter sub-headed 'a', 'e', 'i', 'o', 'u'. Some of these have page numbers entered by JC but no words. Pages 18 - 22 are left blank although some have been numbered by JC. Some of the subsequent pages contain items copied by JC from books]
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Popery
Popery is a species of Religion, remarkable for the strong possession it takes of the heart. Contrived by Men of deep insight in the human character and improved by the experience and observation of many successive ages, it arrived at last to a degree of perfection, which no former system of superstition had ever attained. There is no power in the understanding, and no passion in the heart, to which it does not present objects, adapted to intise(sic) and to interest them.
Robertson's Hist: Scot: Vol: 1: p: 349.
A Religion which repeated Acts of the Legislature had proscribed; and proscribed, not because it tended to establish in England the doctrines of Transubstantiation and purgatory. Doctrines in themselves of no political moment, but because the unlimited power of the Sovereign had always been made one of its principal Acts.
De Lolme in the Const: of Eng: p: 57.
There is a passage well deserving attention in a late remonstrance of the Parliament of Paris; where complaining of the abuses of the ecclesiastical power in the kingdom of France, they say to their King "that the Clergy of that realm are now busily using their utmost endeavours to support and confirm a system of Independence, the foundations of which have been laid a thousand years ago; the principles of which have been connected, developed and followed from age to age in the conduct of several ministers of the Church; and the inevitable effects of which if not stopt(sic) by the vigilance and firmness of the Magistrate, would be the most enormous abuse of the Royal Authority, as well as of Religion; the destruction of good order and tranquillity, of all the regular jurisdictions, of the laws, of the kings Sovereignty itself, and by consequence of the whole state."
These are the word of that very respectable Body, and whoever reflects upon them will have good reason to think, that where the popish religion remains established, the principles of Beckett will also remain, and notwithstanding the apparent absurdity of them; will perpetually disturb, and sometimes overpower, the Civil authority, win(sic) in Countries the most enlightened by learning and philosophy, or affecting the greatest latitude and freedom of thought.
Lord Lytteltons Hist: . . .[Ibin] 2nd: Vol: 4: p: 1
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Constitution of England
"Whatever Advantage the Cause of Liberty may receive from general Reasonings on the Origin and Mature of Civil Government, the greater part of our Countrymen will consider, and perhaps rightly, the Inquiry(sic) into the Constitution of their own Government as a Question of Fact; that must be tried by Authorities and Precedents only; and decided at last by the Evidence of Historical Testimony, not by the Conclusions of Philosophy or Political Speculation."
Hurd's Moral and Political Dialogues Vol. 3. p. 86.
I have frequently remarked with Surprize(sic) the little Attention that is paid to the above obvious and just Distinction, in Conversations and Disputes on the Constitutional Liberties of England. The natural Rights of Mankind, the End and Intention of Civil Government, the original Equality of all Men, are phrases which continually resound in our Ears, and in the use of which the Friends of Liberty, as they profess to call themselves, seem to Triumph and exult. True it is, this mode of reasoning may serve to evince their attachment to Liberty and their Abhorrence of Tyranny, but it shews at the same time how little they are acquainted with the Nature and Excellence of the Constitution itself, since they are thus fearful of trusting to it for Support, but have Resource to a Title so much more distant and precarious. Instead of proving from Law and from Fact, that Englishmen are entitled to Freedom, they endeavour to shew from nature and from Reason, that they ought to be so. A Proposition equally just and incontrovertible, whether it relate to British Freeman, or a Turkish Saver. If there be any ground for that pride which we take in the name of Englishmen, any Cause for that Envy with which we are said to be regarded by neighbouring Sates, any just claim to those glorious Appellations which this country has acquired of being the Land of Freedom, the Asylum of Liberty, it must arise from this; That the Laws and Government of it so far from depriving the People of any natural Right or privilege, essential to their real Welfare and Happiness
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or the unlimited Exercise of which any wise and good citizen would desire, are only formed to protect them more effectually in the Enjoyment of these Advantages, and for that purpose make ample provision, that no man. however dignified his Station, however exalted his Rank, may or can infringe upon the Liberty, the Security, or the Property of the meanest Individual, without violating the Constitution, incurring the censure of the Laws, and becoming amenable to Pains and Punishments proportioned to the Heinousness of his Offence, from the forfeiture of the Kingdom and the Crown by a prince, the Decapitation or still more infamous Execution of a noble or a private Subject, to a temporary Privation of Liberty, or the payment of an inconsiderable Fine.
J.C.
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Evidence
___ it may not be amiss to take notice of a Rule observed in the Law of England, which is, that though the attested Copy of a Record be good proof, yet the Copy of Copy never sop well attested, and by never so credible witnesses, will not be admitted as a proof in Judicature. This is so generally approved as reasonable and suited to the wisdom and caution to be used in our enquiry after natural truths, that I never yet heard of anyone that blamed it. This practice, if allowable in the decisions of right and wrong, carries this observation along with it, vizt. That any Testimony, the farther off it is from original truths the less force and proof it has. the Being and existence of the thing itself is what I call the original truth. A credible man vouching his knowledge of it, a s good proof: but if another equally credible do witness it from his report, the testimony is weaker; and a third that attests the hearsay of a hearsay, is yet less considerable. So that, in traditional truth each remove weakens the force of the Proof: and the more hands the tradition has successively passed through, the less strength and evidence does it receive from them.
Locke's Essays Vol: 2: p: 283:
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Weights and Measures
[sub-heading in the RH margin] Troy Weight
the Fair of Troyes, in Champaign, was in the time of Charlemagne frequented by all the Nations of Europe, and the Weights and Measures of so famous a Market were generally known and esteemed.
Smith's Nat. & Causes of the Wealth of Nations Vol. 1. p. 32. 2nd Edtn.
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Emblements [meaning profits from sown land]
The law as to Emblements is, that Tenants who know when their Term is to cease are not allowed to take them. But for the Encouragement of Agriculture, this matter is not regulated in most Counties by Customs of different kinds, and these customs are held good. In some Counties and Parishes the Tenant takes the whole crop, but in most the Custom is for the Tenant to take two Thirds of the Fallow wheat, and one half of the Brush.
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Antiquities
Domesday Book
Is an Ancient Record containing an Account and Survey made by Order of William the Conqueror, of all the Lands in the several Counties of England, except Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmorland, Durham and part of Lancashire; describing the quantity and particular nature of them whether Meadow, Arable, Wood or Waste Land: and also mentioning their Rents and Taxation. This book also records the several Possessors of Lands, their number, and distinct degrees. It is comprised(sic) in two volumes; one a large Folio, the other a Quarto.
"The first of these is written on 382 double pages of Vellum, in a small but plain character, each page having a double Column. The other volume, in Quarto, is written on 450 double pages of Vellum, in a single column, and in a large but very fair character. Until of late years, Domesday Book has been kept under three different Locks and Keys, one ion the custody of the Treasurer, and them others of the two chamberlains of the Exchequer. It is now deposited in the Chapter house at Westminster, where it may be consulted, on paying to the proper Officers a Fee of 6s 8d for a Search, and 4d per line for a Transcript"
The Compilation of this Book is said to have been to work of seven years, but we are not told the number of Hands employed in it.
Grose's Antiqy. Vol. 1 cum alies.
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Antiquities
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Settlement
Case as stated by Counsel at Warwick Sessions 1781 for the Opinion of the Court of Kings Bench.
Poor
Jane Peake the pauper was born in the Parish of Bedworth in Warwickshire where her Father and Mother resided under a regular Certificate from the Parish of Keel in Staffordshire. Some few years after she was born her father and mother died at Bedworth, where she remained after their death till she was about seven years of age with her Brother, who was named in the said certificate, and then voluntarily went to the said Parish of Keel, where she remained till she was fourteen years of Age, during which time she was maintained by the Parish of Keel, and then hired herself for a Year and served the said year, and two or three others in the said Parish of Keel, at the expiration of which last Service she returned voluntarily to the said Parish of Bedworth to her said Brothers house at Bedworth, and was then afterwards hired to one Thomas Parker of the said Parish for a year and served him such year in the said Parish of Bedworth, and was then hired and served another year with Eusebius Holmes in the said Parish of Bedworth. the said certificate was produced in Court, and brought from the Parish Church of Bedworth where it remained ever since it was given.
Thos Greene. John C. Gough
The Pauper was removed by an Order of Sir Roger Newdigate Bart. and I Howlette Esqr. two Justices of the Peace for the County of Warwick dated 9th June 1781 from Bedworth to Keel; and on an Appeal brought by the Parish of Keel, the above case was stated, which coming on to be heard in the Court of Kings Bench before Ld. Mansfield and others in Hilary Term 22nd. Geo. 3rd. [Hilary term is one of the four terms of the courts of common law. It runs from Jan11th to Jan 31st ] (Mr Dunning being of Counsel for the Appellnts) the court were of opinion that the Pauper did not gain a Settlement in her own Right by the
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hiring and Service in Bedworth, but that she continued during such Service under the operation of the Certificate, the length of Tine between her departure from and Return to Bedworth not being a sufficient Desertion of the Certificate.
NB. On speaking to Mr Dunning afterwards myself on this Determination of the Court, he professed himself satisfied therewith, though in their Consideration of the Case, they had confined themselves entirely to the Point of Time. But surely the true question was, whether the Pauper by doing such Acts, and performing such Service as the Law has thought proper to reward by a Settlement, vizt. by the hiring and Service for a Year in Keel was not ipso facto discharged from the Certificate and from that time in a Capacity to gain a Settlement in her own Right as well in the Parish of Bedworth as elsewhere!
Mr Inge Chairman of the Staffordshire Sessions, and a very able and experience Magistrate was clearly of Opinion with the Appellants when I spoke to him about it in London, and thought the Court had determined upon a wrong ground.
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Insurance
Assessment of Policy & Covt. to be inserted in a Mortgage of Leasehold.
And this . . .[Indre] further . . .[Witssoth] [?witnesseth] that for the . . .[concions.uss] [?concessions] & also in consn [consideration] of the Sum of 5s of like lawful Money of G.B. by the sd. Josiah Wedgwood to the sd. Chas. Heath in hand paid at or before the Sealing & delivery of these presents He the sd. Chas Heath Hath assigned and set over & by these presents Doth assign & set over unto the sd. Josiah Wedgwood his exors. admons. & assigns All that one certain Instrument or Policy of Insurance No 17672 whereby the Sum of £1000 is insured on the said Messuage Tenement Building or Premises hereby assd.[assessed] agt. Loss or Damage by fire in the Westminster Fire Office and a;; sum & sums of money by the sd. Policy To Hold, receive & take the same full benefit & advantage to arise therefrom unto the sd. Josiah Wedgwood his exors. admons. & assigns. for ever as a further and collateral Security for the Payment of the sd. Sum of £800 so advanced as ap. of the Interest to grow due for the same but subject to the same Condition or Proviso for Redemption as the sd. Messge. Tenemt. or Coachouse(sic) Stable Buildings & Premises hereby assigned are by these presents subjected to And the sd. Chas Heath doth hereby for himself his heirs, exors, & admons. further cov. [covenant] promise & agree to & with the sd. Jos. Wedgwood his exors, admons & assigns. that he the sd. Charles Heath his exors. or admons. shall & will from time to time & at all times until the sd. Sum of £800 & Int. as assd. shall be fully pd. off & discharged to the sd. Jos. Wedgwood his exors. admons & ass. keep the sd. Mess. or Tenemt. Coachouse Stable Buildings & premises hereby ass. or intended so to be insured or cause the same to be kept insured against Loss or Damage by fire in some substantial Insurance Office in London or Middlesex for the Sum of £1000 at the least & shall & will from time to time assign to the sd. Josiah Wedgwood his exors. admons. & assigns. the policy or policies of Insurance to be effected as afsd. on the sd. premises as a Coll. Security for the paymt. of the Sum of £800 & Int. And it is further agreed by & between the sd. Charles Heath & Josiah Wedgwood that in case the sd. Chas. Heath his exors or admons shall in any manner neglect or refuse to keep the sd. premises so insured agt. Loss or Damage by fire as afsd. that it shall & may be lawful to & for the sd. Jos. Wedgwood his exors. admons. or assigns thereupon to insure & keep insured the sd. Messge. or Tenement Coachouse Stables Buildings & premises hereby insured for the Sum of £1000 at the expense Costs & Charges of the sd. Charles Heath his exors. admons/ & admons. & that the sd. premiums shall not be redeemed or returnable by the sd. Chas. Heath his exors. admons or assigns but upon payment of as well as of all . . . Sums of Money which shall have been paid laid out and expended by the sd. Josiah Wedgwood his exors. admons. or assigns in the insuring or keeping the sd. premises so insured afsd. togr. with lawful Int. for the same from the . . . times when such sums shall so be advanced as also the sd. promisd. Sum of £800 & Int. as apd. therewith
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Glass
For the principle, and general Idea of making Glass see Cramers Act. of assaying page 422 to page 447 - where there is the description of a Glass assaying Furnace.
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Cobalt
Thus Earth which tinges Glass with a blue colour, has been found only in the Cobalt of Arsenick(sic) & Bismuth, and it may be known extempore, if you but melt it with two or three times as much Borax on account of the specific blue colour which it gives to this Salt. 423. Cramer
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Alkaline fixed salt
To make clear common glass more transparent, you must extract the Salt out of Saline Ashes of any sorts of vegetables. But you must choose vegetables that have been gathered in their perfect growth, not exposed long to the Injuries of the Air, not very old neither; for the Rains , and the Air itself at last wash off & consume that out of which alkaline Salt is afterwards to be produced by fire. Nor can you ever produce out of all vegetables a quantity of fixed Alkali, that will repay your Charge and trouble. You must consult the experiments of Chymists(sic) upon this matter. Cramer p. 435
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Prints
See an Essay upon Prints containing Remarks upon the principles of picturesque Beauty, the different kinds of Prints, and the characters of the most noted Masters, illustrated by Criticisms in particular pieces; to which are added some Cautions that may be useful in collecting prints. Printed for J. Robson London 1768. small 8vo.
this is a well written masterly performance,- I have read it with great pleasure. The Author in his preface mentions a Dictionary of Engravers ancient & modern in three volumes published by F. Basan Engraves at Paris. which he says seems to be accurate.
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Drawing
When you draw after any Object, take the middle or some other fixed point to begin with; then draw the next part to that & so on; because the Eye will measure small distances more exactly than large ones, & thus make gentle Transitions from a part to the whole.
W. Crofts.
Landscape Painting
Trees Sketch out the Trunk & Bramches slightly, with a Camel hair pencil, if you work upon a glazed plate, or with a black lead pencil upon paper - wash in the Leafage faintly as at A, leaving Spaces for lights between the Masses. [JC may have been referring to an example which is not now included.] Convert the washed Grounds into leaves &c. by darker touches as at B. Shade the underpart of the Tree & the Hollows between the Masses as at C. C. Never draw the Trunks by two visible parallel lines; but touch the Lines of the Trunks & Branches with interrupted strokes, which at a distance will have the effect of continued lines without the stiffness of those that we see at D. Shade the Trunks not by perpendicular strokes of the Brush thus [little drawing illustrating the point] but by horizontal touches thus [another drawn example] In shading Trunks of Trees and other Objects in general, do not shade with a dark colour quite to the outline of an Object on a dark Ground; nor with a light Colour to the Contour of a light Ground; because ion these cases the Object would be totally lost in the Ground. Wash in the Masses before you mark in the upper branches; and then mark them faintly before you form the Groupes(sic) of Boughs by darker Touches.
From W. Stringer of Knutsford Junr. at Chelsea the 4th of May 1773. Given on occasion of the Empress of Russia's Order for a Service of Queens Ware to be enamelled with views of Gothic Buildings and English Gardens.
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Brown Gold
Dissolve pure Gold in Aqua Regia, [A mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids] then dilute it with water; precipitate with a solution of Copper. Wash well the precipitate, dry it, & mix with a little clarified Honey, which prevents it adhering together and keeps it in a proper working state. No Harm will ensue from any particles of Copper which may be left by the precipitant. Honey is an Addition of my own; and I found it to work much better in Honey & water than in anything else. A little Address is necessary when the precipitate is dry, in mixing it with the Honey so as to prevent its caking or adhering together, so as not to mix with the Honey, or work free with the pencil.
W. Wedgwoods Letter 30th Septr. 1769
18th Oct 1769
RC [?abbreviation for recipe]
1dwt Gold cuttings from the Gold Beaters, &
8dwt Do. Leaf Gold in Bits
9dws 2 ½ oz Aqua Fortes double distilled [nitric acid]
10oz Sal Ammoniac [ammonium chloride]
put in gradually. set warm by the Fire in a vial - pour the solution into a Bottle or Basin of water, & precipitate with Copper in small plates
7 Brown Gold continued.
Another Process
Amalgamate Gold with Mercury. Triturate[grind to a fine powder] it a long time with Saltpetre [potassium nitrate] in an Agate Mortar; then dissolve the Mercury & nitre[saltpetre] with weak aqua fortis, & the Gold will precipitate.
Or
Solution of Gold in Aqua Regia, precipitated with Mercury
Or
a Solution of Roman Vitriol [copper sulphate] precipitates Gold from Aqua Regia
Or
A solution of vitriol of Mars [iron sulphate]
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continued
The Recipe for making brown Gold in the Treatise at the end of Art de Vinini is very good; I translated it for Mr Rhodes. he has tried it, and thinks there is no better method of doing it.
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Bronzing
Lay Dr Turners brown varnish on (No 10) the same as for gilding; then mix some of your Bronze powder in a Saucer with a large proportion of Lamp black [a pure carbon pigment unaffected by acids], both dry: When the varnish is of a proper dryness for gilding lay this Powder on plentifully with a large Camel hair or soft pencil. The pencil should be about as large as the end of your finger; after this warm the vases; but they must not be much warmer than a Bloodheat. When dry, rub them well with a hard Brush; dry them with a gentle warmth and they are finished. This is the fine antique Bronze. If you would have any part seem as if it was rubbed off to the Brass, lay a very little of the Bronze powder alone upon a prominent part before you lay on the mixed powder. The powders require no nicety in the mixing; the finger and Thumb is sufficient; and it should not be mixed too fine. The pieces should never come very near the fire, a strong Head, or a Stove would spoil the work.
W Wedgwood from Parkers Practice
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Uses for vases; & Articled to make.
Pot Pouris with pierced Tops, & a close cover falling upon a ledge within
Essence Pots
Lamps upon Tripods &c.
Candlesticks - with inverting nozzles - with ornamental nozzles on the Shoulders -
with several nozzles springing up thro' a silver plate like one at Lady
Shelbournes - and or Tea Tables, slender
Rich Ewers for side boards Goblets & Rummers
Cisterns
Watch stands
Cases for Chimney & Organ clocks
Gold cases to ornament Looking Glasses or Pebble vases
Tea Kitchens
Tea Canister vases
cases for Flower pots
Salts - in black
Tiles for Stoves
Stover recommended by Sir Jno Goodrick.
Mem. the German stove sent to Mr Banks too large & heavy
Sir Jno. very much approves the Swedish Stoves; but the Risque of firing large pieces with us is too great; & we think they might be imported much cheaper than we could make them
Hilts of Swords to be polished
Nobs(sic) of door Do.
Buttons for Coats & Hats
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pages 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Blanks or small extracts from Poetry.
Quoniain et sic Gentes nobilitantur, Pliny Lib. 35. Chap. 12.
speaking of Manufacturers of Earthen Ware.
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To prepare Wood or Plaister for Moulding
Melt Bees Wax, then dilute it with Oil of Turpentine while it is hot. Then brush the vessel over with this mixture & rub it in. It sinks into the wood or plaister, & leaves no Thickening upon the Surface.
Blue colour
Exp. 3 parts sprinkling Smalts 1/6 p lb[pigment made from
pulverised glass coloured blue with cobalt]
1 part Zaffer [an impure oxide of cobalt used in the making of
smalt and also used in the making of blue enamel]
Flux
Potash of nitre equal parts [potassium nitrate]
¼ Flux to one part of the Colour
This is a fine colour for edging Queens Ware; but fluxes still better on a Biscuit Ground.
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Enamel Kilns & other Chemical Vessels
April 1770
An enamel Kiln made st Chelsea of Pipe Clay and Sand about 1 of clay to 2 ½ or 3 of Sand about 5 feet high 2F: 6I Diameter 2 ½ Inches thick - cracked & burst all to pieces before it was near Red Hot. the Composition was bad and the fire applied too hastily.
May 22 1770. Have fired 28 painted Etruscan vases, and a few flower pots in an Iron Kiln this Morning, the first firing here. The fuel, Wood. We kindled the fire about 8. In 2 hours the Inside of the Kiln & all the vases were quite Red; this Heat was kept up and increased about an hour, and then the fire was pulled out, as the Tryal(sic) appeared to be sufficiently fired.
June. Made another Enamel Kiln of pipe clay, and Glass House pots coarsely pounded. It stands very well, and is in all respects a good Kiln
We have since made several good Enamel Kilns of different sizes, by a Mixture of the old Kiln coarsely pounded and sifted, and as small a quantity of fresh well tempered pipe clay as the burnt pot powder could be mixed up with to stand in form to be burnt. About 3 of founded pots, to 1 of fresh Clay. Mr D'Antie in a Memoir mentioned in the Chemical Dictionary under the Article Vitrifycation (sic) , has determined that the proportion of the old to the new Clay should be as 4 to 5: which I apprehend would shrink very much, and that the proportion mentioned above would be much better.
Vid. Potts Treatise on the manner of making Chemical Vessels.
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Chemical Vessels continued
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Common Brick Clay & Horse Dung make an ordinary kind of Crucibles
Clay mixed with Marle(sic) [soil comprised of a mixture of clay and carbonate of lime - usually used as a fertiliser], or metallic particles of any kind, are not fit for crucibles; in general all Clays that ferment with Acids are unfit for this purpose.
The whitest clay is generally the best for this use; that particularly called Pipe Clay.-
These Clays ought &c.
As Torres, pour laplupart dorvient etre premierement sechees, ensuite lattues avec un Maillet, a fin que les pierres les plus grossieres se separent de la masse &re soient pas reduited en poussien.
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Pages 60-103 are yet to be transcribed. These pages feature results of a lot of experiments in the manufacture of pottery carried out when a young James Caldwell worked for Josiah Wedgwood and Thomas Bentley in the early and mid 1770s.
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On the 1st. day of January 1791 commenced my connection with Mr Enoch Wood in the manufactury of Earthern Ware & a new set of Works were soon after begun to be erected.
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1791
Miscellaneous Observations Expers. &c.
15th Dec 1791.
No.1. Is a piece of Quartz procured for me by Mr. More, the Secretary to the Society of Arts and Sciences, through the Intervention of Mrs. Bentley, & received by me the 14th Decr. 1791. The specimen was said by the person from whom it was obtained to be a foreign one, & he informed Mrs. B. that there was no English Quartz. The name "Dominica" is marked upon it. There is reason to believe, however, that Quartz is met with in Derbyshire, where it is called Quartz Spar, or Quartz Chrystal(sic); though all the Specimens which I have yet been able to procure, by no means correspond in Appearance or Quality with this sent me from London. The . . .[Cutler] in the common culinary Fire as well as in a much stronger Heat crackles & flies, & burns to a dirty brown, whereas the former stands the fire without flying & is of a most beautiful Whiteness, both before and after it has undergone the Heat. Mr More says that there are large Quantities of Quaztz(sic) [quartz] in Wales, and that in the Island of Anglesey there is a Rock of it. In this I am induced to believe that he is right, from a very rough & bad specimen which I picked up myself in October last, off the common Turnpike Road, at the Calemel Mines, near Holy Well, in Flintshire. This specimen is so strongly impregnated with Metallic Substances as perhaps to be utterly unfit for the purpose of Manufacture, but I make no doubt but that much fairer Specimens might have been procured at the same place, had I taken time to look
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for them, and it is extremely probable that there are large Quantities in other parts of the Country less impregnated with Metals. On putting this Stone into the fire, it neither crackled nor flew like the Spar; and on taking it out, after suffering it to remain red hot for about ten Minutes, I found a number of parts in it equal in Lustre & Whiteness to the Quartz, & the colour of which on a comparison could scarcely be distinguished from the other. The Metallic parts even with this Heat had the appearance of being vitrified, and I should suppose might by means of a much stronger be either dissipated or consumed so as to leave the Quartz . . .[pure] and fit for use. But this; I propose to try, by exposing it to the greatest Heat I can obtain at the Manufactory.
No 2. Is the Quartz from London after having stood about 10 Minutes red hot in the common culinary fire.
No. 3. Is Derbyshire Spar.
No 4. Derbyshire Spar after having under gone the Heat of the Ovens at the Manufactory.
No. 5. The Specimen before mentioned to have been picked up near Holy Well.
No 6. The same after having been kept red hot in the common fire about 10 Minutes.
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1794
August 31: On this day I returned from Nantwich, where I had been since Thursday last for the purpose of avoiding the Hurry necessarily attending a removal from one Habitation to another, and took possession of our Dwelling at Linley Wood. The pains that had been taken to provide for my comfortable reception was the first consideration which struck my mind, and called forth all that lively gratitude and affection, which never fails to animate our Hearts, on receiving proofs of Kindness and attention from those whom we esteem & love. A spontaneous prayer to the Author of all Happiness proceeded from my Lips, that she, my Eliza, the Source and partner of all my earthly Bliss, might here herself enjoy, those pure and perfect pleasures, which to refined & virtuous Minds a Country Life is so fitted to afford, and for which in the bustling scenes which we have quitted she had expressed many an ardent wish. Not for herself alone, but equally for me. For me, who through ten years
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1794
Septr, Saturday 20: The Morning very stormy & wet. Spent the greatest part of it in Business. & writing opinions upon two Titles. Read the life of Drake contained in a Volume of Miscellaneous & fugutive pieces, of which I believe Johnson was the Editor, & Writer of this Article. Curious fact related in it of Thomas Doughtie, who having been sentenced to Death for a conspiracy against the
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[Page heading] September
General, & having his Choice offered him of either being executed on the Island, set on Shore on the Main Land, or being sent to England to be tried before the Council, after a days consideration, chose the first; and being . . .[astisrelated], obstinately deaf to all persuasion, and adhering obstinately to his first Choice, after having received the Communion and dined cheerfully with the General, was executed in the afternoon, with many signs of Remorse, but none of Fear.
In this Book is the following passage; "This perhaps a just Observation, that, with regard to outward Circumstances, Happiness and Misery are equally diffused through all States of human Life. In civilized Countries, where regular Policies have secured the Necessaries of Life, Ambition, Avarice, and Luxury, find the Mind at leisure for their reception, and soon engage it in new pursuits; Pursuits that are to be carried on by incessant labour, and whether vain or successful, produce Anxiety & Contention. Among savage Nations, imaginary wants find, indeed, no place but their strength is exhausted by necessary Toils, and their passions agitated not by Contests about Superiority, Affluence, or Precedence, but by perpetual Care, for the present day, and by fear of perishing for want of Food" p. 211.
Sunday 21: Read for the first time the Service which I had compiled, or rather extracted, for the use of the Family, from a Book entitled the Universal Liturgy, printed for Millar in 1761.
[rest of page cut off]
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[Page heading 1796]
[Transcribers note: Some entries on this page are simply numbered 1, 2, 3, etc I have rendered this as 1st. 2nd. 3rd etc in order that the days stand out. Where a day of the week has been given I have included it as given.]
April, 9th: Returned from Chester.
10th : At home. Sunday. Mr Blunt came in the Evening. Conversation on Catholicism. Excellency of that of the Church of England maintained by W. B. Chiefly on the ground of the precision & clearness with which it enforces the moral duties. This the chief thing for Children. Idea of God merely a matter of faith. But g. if such a Catholicism as Houghton's not preferable, by giving more comprehensive ideas of the Deity, declared from his Works &c. & thinly filling the mind with more sublime ideas of his powers & Goodness & by that means, hither his passing it for the observance of his Laws.
11th: At home. Unwell. Winds cold. north & north west. Turned two Cows out into the Croft at the Farm. One cost £8.8.[8 guineas] the other £6.7.6.
12th, 13th, 14th: At home. Unwell.
15th: Hannah set off to Birmingham
16th: Set Soot upon some of the Rushes in the Meadow. Agreed with Stringer for the Chimnies at 2 Guin. Pr. Annum.To be swept as pften as required.
NB. The rushes were not mown before the Soot set on. Observe carefully the result of this process.
17th: Sunday
18th: Monday. Newcastle Concert. Returned home. Turned 12 Sheep & 4 lambs into the Large field.
19th: Engaged with Mr Tomlinson previous to the general Meeting
[Rest of page cut off]
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[by deduction this is part of the entry for Friday, 22nd April]
its members the opponents of Mazarine, were called Frondeurs. As every thing was of late, a la ballon; so soon after that distinction was adopted Bread, Hats, Gloves, Handkerchiefs, Fans, Trimmings, - every article, in short, of use of luxury, was made a la mode de la Fronde.
De Bitz; Memoirs, Eng. translation. Vol 1. p. 437
Saturday 23: At home. Mr Blunt came to dinner. Walked in the afternoon to Alsager, to see the improvement in the Meadows. Fine Evening.
Sunday 24: Read one of Pyles Sermons. Plain, rational discourses well adapted for the use of families.
Monday 25: At Newcastle & Burslem. Met Mr E. Mayor at the Calter place by appointment & also called upon Mr Poole. Long conversation relative to his affairs & the reference with Mr Edleston. Returned home to dinner. Mr Blunt came in the Evening accompanied by Mr Bent. Conversation on Mrs Blunt's case. Comsumption & its proper treatment. The high system strongly recommended by Mr Bent. Bark, animal
food & nourishing diet not excluding a little ale or wine to be taken whenever the fever off, & the patient felt an inclination for food. Not to consider any symptoms as marks of fever except chilliness & succeeding heat. Emetics to be taken every morning on waking. From 6 to 20 grains of Ipecacuanha [root of a S. American shrub used as an emetic or purgative] as the patient finds requisite so as to procure gentle vomiting once or twice. The exercises of swinging to be taken moderately. Beneficial by accustomising the patient to currents of air & thereby preventing the liability to be affected by changes.
Tuesday 26: At home. Mrs Blunt began the system recommended by Mr Bent. Much better in the Evening. Mr Wood dined. Mr Blunt came in the Evening. Turned Changeling & the roan horse out for four or five hours. Fine day. Warm & dry.
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[Page heading] May
Taxes on Manufactures particulary injurious by requiring a larger Capital to be employed: By exposing the Secrets of the Manufacture in the collecton of the tax - and by giving the less scrupulous or such as practice any fraud or coersion in respect to the payment of the Tax an advantage over the honest & fair Trader.
[heading] March 1797
Tel homme a du gont pour l'Architecture & sait depiner, il fera tres bien le plan & le dessein deinpalais; faites le . . . executer, s'il ne exait la coupe des primes & sil ne exait apeir ses fondemens, tout edifice s'ecrouler bientot,
Avant propos. Reveries de Comte de Saxe
18th: At home. Gardening. Morning milder. Writing lessons. Sowed some of Pritchetts seeds. Neopolitan & Sardinian Brocoli; Vanderglins Borecole [Kale - from the french Du boerenkool, peasants cabbage]. Florentine Lettuce, Barcelona Lettuce & common coss(sic) Lettuces.
[Transcribers note. The following days and dates, which are transcribed as given, appear to give April 31 days!]
April 25: At Newcastle. Took the oaths as Deputy Lieutenant with Mr Mainwaring & Mr Headman.
April 26 : Mr & Mrs Lawton dined here. Heavy rain all day.
Wednesday 27: Turned 14 Sheep into the field before the House. Also 13 Gs. at Leek fair the 18th from which time they had been on the Stubble & Wheat. In the Evening changed them to the high grounds.
Thursday: At home. fine warm day. drawing, writing &c.
Friday: Do. busy in Accounts. Do. Do.
Saturday: Do. received at night some Mackerel by the Mail coach, which on being taken into the dark presented a most beautifully luminous appearance. The paper which had brushed them also produced the same effect and appeared to be flakes of an extremely fine blaze.
Sunday: At home. fine warm day.
May
Monday 1: At home. Cold. Hail & rain. Wind N.W. Alcock did not come. Busy in accounts.
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[Transcribers note: Some entries on this page are simply numbered 1, 2, 3, etc I have rendered this as 1st. 2nd. 3rd etc in order that the days stand out. Where a day of the week has been given I have included it as given. Also note that the page is headed 1796, however May 2nd was a Monday that year hence if the days are correct this should be 1797]
[Page heading]1796
Tuesday 2: At home. Wet.
Wednesday 3: Mr Wood came. went with him to the flint Mine. he staid to dinner & went home in the Evening. Long conversation on the subject of the Manufactory & the reduction of prices lately adopted. Weather showery but warm & pleasant . . .
4th: The extreme wetness of the weather prevented my attending the Deputy Lieutenancy Meeting at Trentham for the Muster of the provisional Cavalry. Engaged all morning with the Children's Musick, writing & accounts.
5th : At home. Do.
6th : At Burslem. carried Eliza on the brown Mare.
Sunday 7: At home. weather still cold.
Monday 8: dined at Butterton with Eliza. Mr Skerrett came. staid all night. At home.
Tuesday 9: Miss Stamford returned from London.
Wednesday 10: Do. Mr Skerrett returned this morning.
Thursday 11: Do:
Friday 12: At Burslem. Colliery business.
Saturday 13: Mr Blunt came. Staid all night. turned two cows out into the croft. One cost £10. the other 6 & 14 sheep into the field before the house.
Sunday 14: At home. Much rain all the last week, but the latter end dry. wind N.E.
Monday 15: At home. Engaged with Alcock &c.
16th: At home. Do. Violent rain with Thunder & Lightening.
17th: At home. still wet. but mild & warm.
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[Page heading] 1798
May 1st: Attended at meeting at Alsager relative to raising a volunteer Corps. Adjourned to Tuesday 8th.
Turmed out 2 cows into . . .[Trinocks] Land. Cost £22
2nd:At Newcastle. Slept at Mr Fletchers. Musick.
3rd: Went from Newcastle to Burslem. Attended meeting relative to raising Volunteer Corps. Mr Skerrett came to Linley in the Eveng.
4th: At home. Afternoon Trout fishing.
5th: Do. Angled with Mr S in the Bath Pool but no success.
6th: Mr S left us in the Eveng.
7th: Attended the Annual Meeting of the Trustees of Alsager Church for the first time since any being chosen a Trustee in the room of the late Rd. Wilbraham Borth Esq.
8th: Attended Meeting at Audley for raising a Volunteer Corps adjourned to Wednesday 16th at Betley.
9th: Attended Meeting at Odd Rode for the same purpose.
10th: The Willetts came.
11th: At Burslem.
12th: At Bastwick House. Fishing.
13th: Sunday
14th: Attended Lietuenancy Meeting at Trentham.
15th: The Fletchers with Mr Swinnerton & Mr Wm. Sneyd dined.
16th: At Betley. attended Volunteer Meeting which was my . . . when a Corps was agreed to be raised. Myself Captain. . . .[T or ?J Landford] Halsall & Handright Lieutenants.
17: At home.
18: 14 Sheep & 4 lambs from Leck fair cost 16:7
19: At Barlaston met Mr Mainwaring Capn. Mainwaring & Rogers.
20: Went to Betley relative to the Volunteer Corps.
21: At home.
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22nd: At Newcastle
23rd: At home. Messrs. Yates & Kiding relative to Carters business.
24th: Do. employed in making close walk through the lane. Mr Wood came.
25th: Do. Do.
26th: At home
27th: At home
28th Newcastle fair. bought a cow. dined at Mr Admams with Mr Sneyd. Saw the two O'Connors on their road to Ireland.
29th: At home. weather very dry. Wind N.E.
"However some Men may declaim, there was a time when the founding of Abbeys and Monastries was the most political method by which the monarchs of Europe could introduce civilization amongst the barbarous subjects. And however ill adapted to the present times, that old monopoly, the institution of corporations, was at one period highly political, and absolutely necessary to support infant commerce against the surrounding oppressions, and uncommercial spirit of the feaudal system." Portuguese Asia. Int. to Mickles Lasiad.
As to the reform of Parliament, I think Mr Pitt has discharged his promise, and the very reasons which have provoked some of my Brother Reformers, as with me the strongest motives for admitting his sincerity - To expect that the minister of a great, and above all a corrupted state like this, should calmly and deliberately demolish the whole frame of government for the sake of making an experiment, is betraying a lamentable ignorance of human nature. I am not myself such a child as either to expect or wish that all government should stand still in such a wonderfully complicated system of Society as our own, in order that two or three reformers may try their skill in greasing the wheels.
Life of Day p 68
As to myself; I am no more ashamed of supporting a
Page 120
good than of opposing a bad government; both kinds of contact must alternately flow from the same spirit, and in this, like everything else, the last and wisest conduct is placed between the two extremes.
Ibid.
The author of the above work (Mr Keir) speaking of Mr Day says "His maturer reflexion(sic) also suggested to him, that good and evil were so blended in human affairs, that one arose often inexpectedly from the latter; that governments were sometimes obliged, by the prejudices of the people or by the interests of individuals to withold part of the good which they wished to accomplish, and to permit evils, the correction of which would be followed by some still greater evil; and he accordingly became more indulgent towards men in power for the little good which they generally effected." Ibid p.70
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blank
Page 122
[Written sideways in the LH margin and subsequently overwritten by the date below]
as I know to be the case If these effects have by one particular succession of Causes & effects been produced, why may not the same or similar effects be produced any time by the operation of the same or similar causes, or by further & . . . . . . exercise of Almighty power?
vid. Beatties Evidences of the Christian Religion.
[Page heading] 1799
January, Monday 21: I this day attained the age of 40. Horae quidem cedunt et dies et Mensis et Anne; sed praeteritum tempus nunquam revertitur, necquid sequator sciri polest.
There was a time, when the matter which composed my body was as void of life, as it will be when it has lain twenty years in the Grave; when the elementary particles whereof my eye is made up, could no more enable a percipient Being to see than they can now enable me to speak; and when that which forms Substance was as . . .[mint] as a . . .[Form] yet now the first lives, the last moves, and by means of the second I preceive light & Colours.
Tuesday 22: At home. Drawing. Resumed the Reading of Saleys Evidences. Mr Penlington on his affairs.
Wednesday 23: At Cobridge on the reference of the Case of Parr & Robinson. Called at Burslem. Experiments on the application of Metallic Glazes going in with fair appearance of Success. Severe, snowy day.
Thursday 24: At home. Engaged in ordinary occupations.
Friday 25: Mr Penlington & Mr Collison on their affairs. Mr Edwd. Kirling. Received a letter from Mr Ward relative to the further progress of the Glazes.
Saturday 26: Went to Burslem. Engaged all morning relative to the metallic Glazes, adjustment of Colliery disputes &c. Examined old witnesses relative to Sr. Thos Fletchers claim to a cottage on Coalpithill.
Sunday 27: At home. Paley
Monday 28: Do. Alcock.
Tuesday 29: Burslem. Metallic Glazes. Experiments promising Success considered of a Patent. Writing long letter with a state of the Case to Peake.
Wednesday 30: Burslem again. Same business.
Thursday 31: At home. Adjusting Accounts &c. Mr Cox. Britain relative to the Cottage. Severe weather. Snow and wind.
February, Friday 1:At home. Storm of snow & wind with severe frost.
Mr Colquhoun in his Treatise on the Police of the Metropolis computes that the property & money in constant Transit within it, in the course of a year is 170 Millions. That there are 115,000 persons who support themselves in and near the Metropolis by pursuits either criminal, illegal,
Page 123
Feby. 1799
or immoral. That the interchange of property by means or Gaming is no less than £10,460 annually. He says in a Note. "the Gambling and Lottery Transactions of one Individual in this great Metropolis, are said to be productive of from ten to fifteen Suicides annually." He concludes his Book with the following Observation.
"The depredations committed will cease to be a matter of Astonishment when compared with the vast property that is constantly afloat; and on the whole, the wills, are, perhaps, not to be imputed so much to the increased or general depravity of the human character, as to the deficiency of the Laws; in not advancing pregressively in the means of prevention in proportion to the introduction of Luxury, and the additional temptations which the influx of wealth, and the intercourse of Commerce occasion in every country." p.441. 5th Editn. 1797
Saturday 2: At home.
Sunday 3: At home Mr John Gurnett. Severe frost.
Monday 4: Do. Do. & Alcock Do.
Tuesday 5: Do. Blunt. drawing Do. Bessy came
Wednesday 6: Do. Do. Do.
Thursday 7: Do: Do. with snow
Friday 8: Do. Violent wind & snow
Saturday 9: Do.
In Arthur Youngs view of Suffolk Agriculture lately published is the following "Account of the number of inhabited houses, servants, horses, and carriages, as assessed to their several duties in England & Wales in 1796."
[Transcribers note: The columns of the following table have been vertically ruled and the headings of the subdivisions of the horses and carriages columns entered vertically. The totals are ruled off.]
ServantsHorsesCarriages
For pleasure For HusbandryFour wheelsTwo wheels
Houses under 6 windows354,391
From 7 to 10 Incl160,084
11 to 15 do. 61,473
14 to 19 do. 61,356
20 to 24 do. 19,898
25 & upwards 31,642
699,84456,850178,784900,70019,07024,305
Sunday 10: At home. read the usual service. Fine mild day & thaw
Monday 11: Do. Drawing &c, Tempestuous Night & heavy fall of snow. received Peakes opinion on a patent for the metallic glazes.
Tuesday 12: Do. In the 51st Edwd. 3d. (1377) it was found that the Population of England & Wales amounted to about 2,092,978 souls, in 1483 to about 4,688,000; at the revolution (1688) about 6,500,000 or 7,000,000, and at present (1787) probably to near 8,000,000.
In the year 1377 the population of London was found by enumeration
Page 124
to be 33.000 souls, and that of Westminster 10,000
In 1588, the Navy of England contained 31,335 Tons and 15,272 Marines
In 1688101,032 Tons & from 30 to 45,000 Mariners
In 1781422,760 104,978 Marines
At the end of the reign of Chas 2d. Poors rates amounted to &665,302 in 1776 to &1,566,804
During the last four years of King Williams reign, the revenue of the Post Office amounted on an average to £83,319; and arose by a gradual progression, till in the year 1784 it amounted to £452,404.
vid. Chalmers's Estimate of the Comparative strength of G. Britain published in 1786, a Book which from the number and importance of the facts which it states, should be read by all political Speculators, particularly such as incline to the gloomy and desponding notions of the late Dr. Price and his Followers. W.C. has been at great pains to prove by a variety of examples that nothing deserves to be so little relied upon as the opinions generally disseminated by political writers concerning the prosperous or unprosperous state of the Manufactures & Trade of the nation, at the time of the publication of their works, since it appears that many men of great character & eminent abilities have frequently represented the nation as being in an uncommonly declining state at the very moment when (as W.C. contends) it was enjoying an extraordinary degree of prosperity. Herrenschevard in his discourse on Population for instance states it as a notorious fact that since the loss of America our trade thither & consequently our manufactures have greatly & alarmingly declined, and yet W.C. shows that in the year 1771, 1772, 1773 our average exports to the American Colonies amounted to the value of £3,064,843 and in 1784 to £3,359,864. So easily may Men believe what they have preconceived should naturally come to pass.
Vid the Monthly Review of this book, March 1787.
Wednesday 13: At home. Thaw. Mr Wood came to dinner.
Thursday 14: Do. Do. Mr Wood - busy in various small experiments on the metallic glaze - Drawing &c.
Friday 15: At home. Mr Wood went early.
In length
The Duke of Bridgewater Canal27 Miles
Grand Trunk all100
Staffordshire & Worcestershire (Canal to the Severn)46
Page 125
Coventry Canal37Birmingham22
Oxford87Fazely17
Leeds & Liverpool100Erewash12
Thames & Severn with the Stroud37Stourbridge Dudley Droitwich18
Monthly Received178
Sea Freight of Clay to Liverpool11/6Freight by Canal9/.
Crates to Liverpool 2/6
EstimateMiles long}
Rochdale Canal£291,9003 1½} Fulton on Canal
Ellesmere Do.£400,00057} Navigt. published
Kennet & Avon Do.£420,00070} 1796 p. 27 Note.
Grand Trunk in Do.£500,00090}
Leeds & Liverpool£800,000129}
The Speaker of the House of Commons, Mt Addington, observed in his Speech in the House of Commons on the Union with Ireland on Tuesday last that "full two thirds of its whole population are Catholics, and yet eight tenths of the prosperity of the Country are rested in the Protestants, who alone are eligible to trusts and offices under Government"
Vid. Star of Wednesday the 13th inst.
Saturday 16: At home. On this day died my old and worthy friend Janus Robinson, after a long tedious illness. He was one of the first persons with whom I formed a friendship on my entrance into life, which I date [rest of line cut out]
on July 1777. From that time the most perfect intimacy subsisted between us: nor for a period of nearly two & twenty years did the smallest crossness or misunderstanding ever raise betwixt us. Great good sense, coupled with sterling honesty & a peculiar frankness & kindness of manners commanded the respect & . . . they secured to him the affections of a numerous and respectable circle of friends & Acquaintances by whom he is deeply & deservedly lamented. He fell a Martyr to a glandular Complaint contracted by the preparation of Cobalt a material branch of his business.
Mr Wm Bent & Mr Blunt dined at Linley. The former coming to consult me on the Brewery Concerns.
Page 126
Sunday 17: At home. Spent as usual. bought a black cow from Waldlate.
Monday 18: Heavy Snow. Alcock however came & Mr R. Skerrett.
Tuesday 19: Fine mild day. Began plowing(sic) the . . . . . .[hanky pail] in the Hollins Ground. Revd. Mr Salmon on his affairs with Mr Penlington.
Wednesday 20: Mr. Skerrett & Major Skerrett came here.
Thursday 21: At home with Do. Mr R Skerrett dined.
Friday 22: At Newcastle with Do. dining with Mr R. Skerrett.
Saturday 23: Mr S & the Major returned to Nantwich leaving us all much pleased with the latter. Mr Wm Bent. Martha & Blunt Bilkely & Best. This day agreed with Wm Dale for a new lease of 9 yrs. of the Alsager Estate at £250 clear
Fon mihe res, sed rebus me submittere conor.
Mr Josiah Potts came in the Evening.
Sunday 24: Mt Potts left us after dinner. Bone dust best applied on cold grass Land. About 30 Bushels per acre, laid on in the Spring, about the middle or later end of March.
Monday 25: At Burslem. Alcock. Received & began to read the Jesuits perspective, recommended by Mr Barber.
Tuesday 26: At home. James Wright came. Valued the Ash proposal [beginning of next line cut out] Eliza &c went to Newcastle.
Wednesday 27: Eliza &c returned with Miss Willett.
Thursday 28: At home. Ordinary occupations.
March, Friday 1st: Do. Do.
Saturday 2: Do. Do.
Sunday 3: Do.
Monday 4: At Newcastle relative to the redemption of my Staffordshire Land tax. From thence to Longport & Burslem. Came home to dinner. Alcock.
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[Transcribers note: Dates transcribed as written in the diary. Numbered days do not run consecutively - no 9th - correction by JC occurs on page 128]
Tuesday 5: At Nantwich. Major Skerrett. Land tax &c.
Wednesday 6: Returned with Major Skerrett to Linley. An amusing & instructive Ride the Conversation turning on Tactics engineering &c.
Thursday 7: Thursday at home with the Major
Friday 8: Miss S & the Major & Bess went to Nantwich.
Saturday 10: Saturday at home. Blunt dined. much Conversation. returned with Miss Willett with them during her stay at Linley I had had a great deal of interesting Conversation relative to her intended marriage with Mr Turner.
Sunday 11: At home. Capn. Sneyd came after dinner but staid & spent the day engaged to attend on Wednesday sennight to swear in the Burslem Volunteers as a Deputy Lieutenant.
Monday 12: At home. Alcock.
Tuesday 13: Do. Mr Cox.
Wednesday 14: Do. Mr Jos. Wedgwood - various matters. much Conversation Mr McIntosh's Lectures &c the General Change in the public Opinion on French politics &c. &c.
Thursday 15: Walked to Newcastle with Eliza, dined & stayed at night at Mrs Willetts, arranging various matters for them. Messrs. Chalkely, Spode & Tomlinson relative to the appointmt. of Commercial Commrs. for the Potteries under the . . .[marine] Bill. appointed to meet again on Saturday at Newcastle. Mr Jos. Wedgwood . . . tea & spent the evening with us at Mrs Cox.
Friday 16: Returned home
Saturday 17: At Newcastle agreeable to appointmt. From thence to Wolesley bridge with Mr Spode to speak to Mr Sparrow of Bishton relative to the Nominat. & appointment of Comm. Commr. & returned home at night.
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[Transcribers note: Dates written as entered in the diary. Note correction to numbers from 24th.]
Sunday 18: Mr Wood came to dinner. Staid all night.
Monday 19: Heavy Snow. Mr Wood returned. Alcock. Miss S returned from Nantwich with A.C.
Tuesday 20: At home.
Wednesday 21: At Bradwell dining with Mr Wm Sneyd. From thence to Burslem attesting the Volunteer Corps, as a Deputy Lieut. returned home at night.
Thursday 22: At home. usual occupations.
Friday 23: Do. Do. laid the Bone & Hair Dust had from Birmingham on the Land in the front of the House.
. . .[Sewed] by hand.
Saturday 24: At Newcastle. Eliza Miss S & I dining at Mr Sparrows. The Willets Leut. Gibson Mr Bent.
Sunday 24: At home
Monday 25: Stone Navigt. Meeting.
Tuesday 26: Do. Genl. Assembly. returned home at night.
Wednesday 27: At Burslem. received by express intelligence of the death of old Mr Crompton of Chorley who died the night preceding in consequence of falling near the fire by which his feet & legs much burnt.
Thursday 28: Miss S & I set off for Chorley. Stopped all night at Knutsford.
Friday 29: At noon arrived at Chorley Hall found the Dr &c.
Saturday 30: Attended the funeral &c. Dr. Taylor, his Son Robt. & JW Pilkington dined.
Quid, quoque et cui dicas, caveto.
Sunday 31: Miss S & I went to Revington drank tea with Miss . . . returned at night Miss S staid at R.
April, Monday 1: Left Chorley Hall. took up Miss S at Revington & arrived at home at 8 o'clock at night. Bent . . . . . . that the Pools would run Clear,
Tuesday 2: At Burslem &c relative to the income Bill & the appnt. to be delivd. in. For several days past the wind has been uniformly in the North east, most severely cold accompanied with Snow in Sleet & hard frost so as to prevent the least appearance of vegetation.
Page 129
and the Country every where having the appearance of the month of January in a severe winter. Straw & Hay very scarce & dear. The former 4 or 4/6 p Cw. the latter 5. Joshua brought home a Cow for feeding Cost 8 Gnes. Mr. Dale, Waller the . . . [spor] &c
Wednesday 3: At home much engaged in settling Income so as to deliver a Statemt. under the Act. Severe cold day, with wind. Frost still continuing.
Thursday 4: At Newcastle & Burslem. Eliza & 1 dined at the latter place having left Miss S at Mrs Willetts. Returned in the Evening. Mr Fritch. Severe cold with Sleet. Settled the return under the Income Bill.
Friday 5: Weather so extremely severe this morning with wind & snow that Mr F detained some hours. Snow before the door & in some part of the Ground drifted from 3 to 4 feet deep much engaged in completing my private return under the Income Bill which I returned to the Assessor this day.
Saturday 6: Mr Blunt dined. Recd. from Mr Jos. Wedgwood Mr McIntoshs discourse on the Study of the Law of Nature & Nations, Much conversation with Mr Blunt.
Sunday 7: At home. Service &c as usual. Read Mr McIntosh's Book which meets my unqualified approbation as it seems admirably adapted to restore good sense to Politics, instead of these wild theories & fantastic though imposing speculations which have so long bewildered the undertakings, and disturbed the peace & safety of Mankind. The sentiments expressed in this book are literally those which I have myself invariably entertained & firmly & unequivocally expressed through the awful period of the French Revolution: believing, both now & always, that fact & experience are the only sure guides in the application of Philosohy & Law to the regulation of human affairs;
Page 130
and that the business of a Legislation consists, not in the framing new & visionary systems, but in the just adaptation of General Laws & principles to particular cases, circumstances, & situations.
Monday 8: Snow. At home. Alcock. Musick as usual.
Tuesday 9: At Newcastle. Basford. Hanley & Burslem. At Hanley on account of the rejection by the Grand Jury of the application for Comml. Commrs. made by the Pottery, & the correspondence which had passed between Mr Sparow & myself on the subject; in consequence of which the Sherriff had at Mr S's request advertised another Meeting to be held on Friday next; when it was determined that some leading Gentlemen out of the Potteries shd. attend such Meeting.
Wednesday 10: At home. Very wet. Mr Bent.
Thursday 11: At home.
Friday 12: At Stafford with Mr Wilson Mr Chatterley & Mr Tomlinson. attended Meeting when the appointmt. of Comml. Commrs. given up unless appointed for other parts of the County: as it might subject the Pottery Commrs. to act for other manufacting parts.
Saturday 13: At home. receiving Mr Penlongton's rents. engaged with the Tenants & him all day.
Sunday 14: At home as usual.
Monday 15: Do. Alcock. Heavy Snow this morning for Act. per . . . [Low]
Tuesday 16: Do. Began ploughing again in Mrs Johnsons Land. Fine mild day.
Wednesday 17: Dined with Captn. Sneyd at Bradwall. R Williamson. From thence to Burslem swearing & attesting the Burslem Volunteers. Longport.
Thursday 18: At home.
Page 131
Friday 19: Mr Wood & Mr Thos. Wedgwood. The latter relative to giving up Deeds belongong to one Hall. when I appointed to meet Mr. Poole Atty. at Burslem on Friday next. Miss S & Lissy set off this morning for Birmingham on their way to London.
Saturday 20: At home. Mr Blunt dined & staid at night.
Sunday 21: Do. Being unwell Eliza read a Sermon to the Servants. Mr Cox.
Monday 22: Do. Alcock.
Tuesday 23: At Burslem agreeable to appointmt. Agreed with Mr Wood to go to Cornwall & Devonshire.
Wednesday 24: At home.
Thursday 25: At Newcastle relative to paymt. of for Land tax Dr. Thos. Fletcher relative to Britains Cottage refered to my determination & various other matters. Began sowing 4 Acres in the Hollins Ground but stopped in the afternoon by rain & wet.
Friday 26: At home.
Saturday 27: Do.
Sunday 28: Do.
Monday 29: At Burslem. Sir George Youngs service sent away returned to dinner. Alcock. Miss Potts & Miss Willett returned with Eliza from Newcastle in the Evening.
Tuesday 30: At home.
May, Wednesday 1: Do. Mr Wood relative to various matters.
Thursday 2:Do.
Friday 3: At Nantwich with Eliza. Mr Skerrett signed the Bond in Comptons admon. returned in the Evg.
Saturday 4: At home. began sowing Mrs Johnsons field. cold dry morning. Oats at Nantwich 4/10. Wheat 12/- Hay 10/- p. Cwts.
Sunday 5: At home.
Monday 6: At Alsager Heath attending annual Meeting of the Trustees of Alsager Church. Mr Twiss Mr Rowley & myself. Continued sowing though rain in the morning but dry afternoon.
Tuesday 7: At home. finished sowing oats & began sowing Grass seeds but prevented by rain.
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Wednesday 8: At home. unwell with a Cold. Much rain but mild & growing day. Sold Mr Johnson of . . .[Forlow] 12/3 cw at 9/- but the running price 10/-.
Thursday 9: Do. Alcock
Friday 10: Do.
Saturday 11: Do. Fished the Pool at . . .[Torhads]. In the Evening Mr Skerrett from Nantwich relative to the purchase of Lands at Nantwich behind the House. Finished sowing grass seeds.
Sunday 12: At home. Mr Skerrett returned in the Evening.
Monday 13: Do. Blunt came to breakfast. Alcock. much Conversation relative to the Dispute with Mr Hollins concerning the . . .[organ] Salary. when I fixed to go to Newcastle on Wednesday to endeavour to settle the matter. Joshua bought a Cow at Congleton fair.
Tuesday 14: At Burslem. Mr Wood & Mr T Wedgwood returned with me to dinner.
Wednesday 15: At Newcastle engaged with Hollins & Alcock. returned to dinner.
Thursday 16: At home
Friday 17: Do.
Saturday 18: At Newcastle with Eliza signing Bond &c. in the Prorogation Court in Cromptons admon. Drank Tea at Martins
Sunday 19: At home. Fine Day. Began reading Lord Clarendons History.
Monday 20: Do. Alcock. Fine day but heavy showers. wrote to Mr Jos. Wedgwood amongst other things to thank him for McIntosh's Book of which I expressed myself as follows
"Permit me to take this opportunity of thankng you for Mr McIntosh's Book which I have read with singular pleasure. It appears to me, indeed, to display throughout the happiest union of spendid talents with sound judgement and extensive knowledge, nor do I know how to form a better wish for the Author or the Public, than that he may live to execute in all its parts the noble, useful and reasonable work of which he has here given so beautiful and masterly a sketch. To one I must confess, it could not but afford peculiar gratification to find the same leading principles of morality & Politics which I have invariably held and endeavoured to act upon thus forcibly vindicated and also greatly expressed; as well as such
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truly critical justice done to those Authorities from whence I have derived whatever little knowledge of the Subject I myself possess, and to whom I must always look up as the "Great Masters" in that Science on which depend the Order and Happiness of the World."
In page 25 Is not superficial Sciologist a Redundance?
Began setting potatoes for winter crop in the Store.
Tuesday 21: At home. Cold windy day.
Wednesday 22: At Newcastle on Alcocks business. From thence to Burslem. Rolled the great Meadow.
Thirsday 23: At home
Friday 24: Do. Messrs. Gibson Sneyd Sparrow Bent & Blunt dined. Remarkably high wind & cold.
Saturday 25: At Newcastle again relative to Alcocks business. Returned to dinner. Miss Willett & the two Miss Sparrows dined. Mr Wood also came. Much Conversation with him.
Sunday 26: At home
Monday 27: At home
Tuesday 28: Took Eliza to Burslem in the Afternoon in the Chair.
Wednesday 29: At Do. to Newarth to meet Miss Stanford & Lissy on their return from London. Drank tea at Mrs Willetts.
Thursday 30: At home. Turned out 5 feeders & 2 milkers into the Barkey field under the Wood. Mr Fritch.
Friday 31: At home
June, Saturday 1: At Newcastle
Sunday 2: At home.
Monday 3: At Newcastle . . .[??executing] Bond in Cromptons Admon. Returned to dinner. Alcock.
Tuesday 4: At home engaged in preparing Articles &c previous to the Marriage of Miss Willett with Mr Turner. Cold Stormy day.
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Wednesday 5: Miss Harwood Ann & Bessy came from Nantwich. Mr Turner Miss Willetts & Mrs Holland also dined. Engaged in settling Mr Turners affairs.
Thursday 6: At Burslem. Took Bessy in the Gig. fine day. Changed the Feeders in the field before the House.
Friday 7: At Newcastle on act. of Mr Turner & Miss Willetts. Atty. Mr . . .[Tryboyne]
Saturday 8: Do. Attending their marriage. They set off from the Church for Newcastle upon Tyne. Returned early to Linly. Mr Blunt dined. This is the 15th anniversary of the happy union with my Eliza. with what
[sentence not completed and space left]
Sunday 9: At home. Read the service as usual. In the Evening took Miss Harwood in the Gig as far as Wentheath. fine Evening.
Monday 10: At home. Alcock. Began draining the smaller hanky field in the Hollins Ground & setting Winter Potatoes.
Tuesday 11: At home.
Wednesday 12: Do. Mr & Mrs Wood dined & returned in the Eng. Mr Thos Garnett came to dinner & staid all night.
Thursday 13: At home.
Friday 14: Do.
Saturday 15: At Burslem. Fixed with Mr Wood who had had a slight return of his Rheumatic Complaint to go to Burslem on Tuesday 25th.
Sunday 16: At home.
Monsay 17: Set out with Eliza . . . Lancashire on Acct. of the Admon. of the effects of the late Mr Crompton.
Wednesday 19: Returned home & brought Miss Noble along with us having settled every thing amicably with Mr. C. Long political Conversation with Mt Duckworth of Manchester
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Thursday 20: Mr & Mrs Shepherd & Miss M Nicholson with Master Wakefield arrived in the Evening. changed the feeders into the wood field.
Friday 21: At home engaged with the party.
Saturday 22: At home. Mr & Mrs S &c left us in the Morning.
Sunday 23: At home. Peas. I this day observed in pod.
Monday 24: At Newcastle on various matters. In the afternoon Mr E Keding.
Tuesday 25: At home
Wednesday 26: Do. In the afternoon at Burslem.
Thursday 27: At Burslem
Friday 28: At home.
Saturday 29: Do. Sir. Tho. & Lady Fletcher & family with Messrs. Gibson & Bent dined. pleasant day.
Sunday 30: At home. Changed the feeders & milkers into the field before the House.
July, Monday 1: At home. Miss Watkins came. This day we heard the cuckoo at about ½ past 6 oclock in the Evening. Still warm night with the appearance of Rain & Thunder.
Tuesday 2: In the morning called upon Mr Watkins at Willock. Alcock & his son. Mr Wood & Mr T Wedgwood dined. Mrs Morris &c in the afternoon - much pleasant musick.
Wednesday 3: At Newcastle Races. dined at the Crown. In the morning at Butterton.
Thursday 4: Do. Dined at the Roebuck
Friday 5: Friday Mr. & two Miss Wood dined - got potatoes for the first time. singular Instance of the lateness of the Season.
Saturday 6: At home. Spread more lime on the Hollins field - fine showery weather.
Sunday 7: At home.
Monday 8: At home. Alcock.
Tuesday 9: Set off for Birmingham. On horseback to Stafford.
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[Transcribers note. 1 week omitted]
Tuesday 16: Returned home from Birmingham leaving Eliza & Miss Stamford at . . .
Wednesday 17: At home. found the men had begun draining in the Hollins Ground. fine & dry but appearance of more rain which had fallen here very heavily for some days past.
Thursday 18: At home. much rain.
Friday 19: Do. Alcock
Saturday 20: Do.
Sunday 21: Do.
MOnday 22: At Newcastle
Tuesday 23: At home. Began make alterations with Farm yard. & enlarging the water
Wednesday 24: Do. engaged with workmen &c.
Thursday 25: Do. Mr Blunt. sold two Cows to Hockenhill for £31.10.
Friday 26: At home.
Saturday 27: Went to Rudyard Vale to look in the Reservoir. Mr Wood Mr Collins & Mr. Blunt. Messr. W & B. dined at the George. Leek. On my return found Peake who had come early in the day. began to seed the Clover.
Sunday 28: At home.
Monday 29: Do. Rain.
Tuesday 30: Mr & Mrs Wood & Miss Grainger R. Robinson & T Wedgwood dined at Linley Wood. Fine day & a very pleasant party. Delivered to Mr Robinson out of his Deeds Mr Blurtons Undertaking to . . . . . . an Assignmt. of a term of years in the Estate purchased by him.
Wednesday 31: At home mowing.
August, Thursday 1: At Burslem. Mrs & Miss Wedgwood & Mrs & Miss Willett dined Mrs. W & Mrs Wedgwood & Miss Wedgwood staid all night. At noon instant Storm of Hail & Rain with Thunder.
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Friday 2: Mrs Wedgwood &c staid to dinner & left us in the Evg.
Saturday 3: At home. In the Morning fishing in the Bath Pool violent rain.
Sunday 4: Do. Rainy afternoon.
Monday 5: At Sandbach attending Meeting of the Commr. of Linley Lane Turnpike. Dined Col. Frost Mr Salmon &c. heavy rain in the afternoon with Thunder.
Tuesday 6: At home. Fine morning. Spread . . . the Clover. Engaged to go to Burslem, but prevemted by the rain in the afternoon. Mr Peake Miss Noble & Miss S went in the Carriage.
Wednesday 7: At home. Alcock.
Thursday 8: Do. Sold the white Heifer for £16 to Barker.
Friday 9: Do.
Saturday 10: Do.
Sunday 11: Do
Monday 12: Do. Alcock.
Tuesday 13: Do.
Wednesday 14: Took Peake to Stone on his way to London to which place he was obliged to return. Returned home in the Evg.
Thursday 15: At home.
Friday 16: Engaged all day at Talk as Foreman of the Jury at a Copyhold Court passing Childs . . .[Jarndes] &c found a verdict that double fees are not payable at special Courts. Mr Wood came in the Evg. to forward to Bicton.
Saturday 17: Detained at home by a violent storm of rain & wind all day the weather more resembling in every respect Novemr. or Decemr. than August. Maid did not arrive at night.
Sunday 18: Set off with Mr Wood for Buxton
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[Transcribers note. 2 weeks omitted]
Saturday 31: Returned from Buxton. During our stay at which place we had only one day without rain. This day the wind & rain were so violent that between Buxton & Leek we were apprehensive that the Chaise would have been blown over.
September, Sunday 1: At home. fine day but a slight shower in the Evg.
Monday 2: Do. Alcock.
Tuesday 3: Went to Congleton to meet Mr Buchan, with whom I had formed an Acquaintance at Buxton & who came to spend a day or two at Linley. Returned with him in the Chaise to dinner.
Wednesday 4: At Burslem with Mr Buchan. fine day & busy mowing.
Thursday 5: Mr Buchan returned to Buxton. Engaged in the Hay.
Friday 6: At home busy in the Hay
Saturday 7: Do: Sold 2 Cows to Lander for £29 one cart £5.5s the d. £8.8s.
Sunday 8: At home. Dr. & Mrs Crompton Miss Crompton & 3 children arrived in the Eveng.
Monday 9: At Sandbach attending Turnpike Meeting pursuant to adjournment. fine day & busy in the Hay.
Tuesday 10: At home. finished the Hay harvest, which terminated finely & favouably.
Wednesday 11: Dr. Crompton left us on his journey to Derby.
Thursday 12: At Burslem with the Ladies. Retd. to Dinner.
Friday 13: At home. Mrs Crompton & family leave us tomorrow. Every day's experience & observation, concur with that Father of Judgment which I possess (whatever it may be) in leading me to consider as above all things most injurious to social happiness that spirit of it be wanton & licentious Innovation which quits time & fundamental principles in order to pursue fantastical & visionary schemes of reformation &
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singularity.
Saturday 14: Mrs Crompton &c left Linley. fine day.
Sunday 15: At home. fine day.
Monday 16: At Newcastle fair - purchased 2 cows. Mrs Skerrett came.
Tuesday 17: At home. Mr Skerrett.
Wednesday 18: At home. engaged in the morning by appointment with Mr Harssells relative to his Sons intended Marriage. Lissy & Mary went to Betley.
Thursday 19: At home. Mr Funaley
Friday 20: At home. Alcock
Saturday 21: At Burslem
Sunday 22: At home.
Monday 23: Do. began cutting oats.
Tuesday 24: Do. Mr Skerrett retd. to Nantwich
Wednesday 25: Do. busy in the oats
Thursday 26: At Burslem. Mrs Skerrett & Eliza
Friday 27: At home. Mr Cox was to have dined but did not come
Saturday 28: At home. Mr Blunt with his pupils Mr Norriss & Mr Brazier & Mr Wood & Mr R Skerrett dined. wet morning.
Sunday 29: At home. cold damp day.
Monday 30: At Newcastle on various matters. began again cutting
oats which the unfavourable weather had stopped.
October, Tuesday 1: At home.
Wednesday 2: Mr & Mrs Watkiss dined.
Thursday 3: Musick. Mr Alcock Frith Bugnall & T Alcock
Friday 4: Mr & Mrs Sherett & Miss Noble retd. to Nantwich
Saturday 5: At home
Sunday 6: Do.
Monday 7: Do. Alcock
Tuesday 8: Mrs & Miss Peake arrived with whom engaged for some days.
[Transcribers note: several days missing]
Sunday 13: Mrs & Miss Peake left us.
Monday 14: At home. Alcock
Tueadsy 15: Went to Stone to adjourned General Assembly.
Wednesday 16: Returned from Stone.
Thursday 17: At home. Miss Wood came.
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Friday 18: At Newcastle on Mr Tho Baddeleys affairs. Finished carrying wheat. dined at Mr Gilberts with Mr Lawton. violent rain at night.
Saturday 19: At home. Mr Wood. staid all night relative to Railway &c.
Sunday 20: Do.
Monday 21: Alcock. Mr & Miss Woods left us.
Tuesday 22: Dr Cromptons family arrived with Miss Wakefield on their return from Dorchester.
Wednesday 23: Out all morning shooting with Dr Crompton. who killed 3 brace of birds. fine day.
Thursday 24: Dr Cromptons family left us. Delivered to the Dr. Mr Gen. Taylors . . .
Fruiday 25: At Burslem with Miss S. Railway in great forwardness.
Saturday 26: At home. engaged receiving Mr Penlingtons Rents, Mr Penlington with Mr Blunt his pupils Mr Brogan & Mr Jessop dined.
Sunday 27: Do. My friend Hassall arrived at noon.
Monday 28: Do. Engaged with Hassall. Alcock &c.
Tuesday 29: Went with Hassall to Burslem. Mr Wood returned with us to dinner but left us in the Evening.
Wednesday 30: Hassall left us on his return home. engaged with Mr W Hassells relative to his intended Marriage, sealing proposals &c. &c.
Thursday 31: At home. fine day. busy in the fallow ploughing & preparing for sowing wheat. Mr Fritch.
November, Friday 1: At home indisposed. Wet day which stopped sowing Wheat. Sent Mr Martin Mrs Wilkiss's Deeds in Mortgage to Miss Crompton which I had received from her.
Saturday 2: Very wet morning which prevented my going to Bagnall as I had appointed to with Mr Davenport & Mr T Sparrow to ascertain the damage done to Mr Val. Close by the late breaking down of the Reservoir. Engaged all day in looking over & arranging Letters papers &c.
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Sunday 3: At home. At night very high wind.
Monday 4: Do. Engaged in arranging papers &c. A Hare this morning came curiously into the Kitchen where the Servants were at Breakfast, & being pursued by the Grey hound (Catch) which happened to be lying by the fire was killed by her at the entrance into the wood. Sent it by Stamford to Mr Wood. Day so wet that little progress could be made in the sowing wheat & getting up potatoes. Alcock did not come.
Tuesday 5: Do. Day so wet as to prevent sowing &c. In the afternoon Mr Martin sent by Mr Jones the princl. £500 owing on Mortge to Miss Crompton from the call Mr Watkiss. Began writing a few observations on the use of Perspective as applicable to the common purposes of drawing, for the benefit of the Children.
Wednesday 6: At Newearth to meet Mr Davenport relative to the Navg. Business. Finally settling Miss Cromptons &c. Eliza took three Children Ann Emma & Louisa to Mr W Bents in order to take the Measles.
Thursday 7: At home. dry cold day. engaged all morning writing Letters &c.
Friday 8: At home. Do.
Saturday 9: At Newcastle attending meeting of Mr Close Mr Robinson & Mr Thos. Sparrow & others settling damages sustained by means of the breach in the Bignall Reservoir. all day.
Sunday 10: At home. As an add. proof of the extreme & singular inclemency of the late season I this day got a . . . [Mospark] Apricot off the tree at the farm which was not yet ripe.
Monday 11: At Burslem. Railway proceeding well. so far finished as to admit of Coals being carried to the works. returned to dinner. Alcock.
Tuesday 12, Wednesday 13, Thursday 14: At Stone attending meeting of the Navgn. Committee but a sufft. number did not attend. Engaged there all day on Wednesday. dined & spent the Evening with Mr Robinson. engaged in perusing various Navgt. papers &c. particularly in relation to the proposed increase in the Salaries of sevl. Clerks. On Thursday Morning went to Sandon relative to a division of the wine &c. belonging to
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the Archery Society, which was done. Mr Sneyd of Barrow Hill Mr Edwd. Sneyd of the Forest Mr Chas. Wolsley Mr Blount Mr . . .[Someruiler] & self attended & dined. Returned home in the Evening. Remarkably fine day: so much so that we . . .[bowled] 2 hours before dinner.
Friday 15: At home fine day. Sowing wheat. Engaged in the afternoon with Wm Dale & Mr Tho. Baddely of Newearth on his late Mothers Affairs.
Saturday 16: At home. Fine dry Morning.
Sunday 17: Do. Mr Wood came on the afternoon & staid all night.
Monday 18: Do. Sowing Wheat. Mr R Skerrett atty. Emma.
Tuesday 19: At Newcastle on various matters particularly relative to the Building erected by Mr Ger. [George] Wilkinson on land belonging to the Subscribers to the Theatre.
Wednesday 20: Fine day. Mr R Skerrett dined. Emma broke out with the Measles. In te Afternoon engaged at Talk on the Hill with many of the neighbouring farmers relative to stopping the depredation which had been lately committed by persons unlawfully sporting &c. Formed a small agricultural Society to meet the first Wednesday in December & the first Wednesday in June at Talk on the Hill, Alsager, & Lawton alternately.
Thursday 21: At Newcastle with Miss Stamford. Fine warm day.
Friday 22: At Newcastle attending a Meeting of Subscribers to the Theatre relative to Land belonging to them which Mr George Wilkinson had built upon & various other matters. Cold foggy day.
Saturday 23: At home. In the evening Mr Josiah Potts came.
Sunday 24: Do. Mr Potts left us after dinner on his return home. Mr Broad & Mr Smith junr. relative to the Assignmt. of Mortgage from Miss Crompton of the late Mr Watkiss Lands in Congleton, which they took with them.
Monday 25: At home. Slcock & Mr R Skerrett. Engaged at Morning writing sundry letters &c.
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Tuesday 26: At Trentham attending Deputy Lieutenancy Meeting for receiving Rents & hearing appeals in the old Militia. Stopped at Sr. Tho. Fletchers who went & returned with me. Fine mild day.
Wednesday 27: At home. fine day. Got 3 strawberries in the hedge in the garden not ripe.
Thursday 28: At Burslem in consequence of information recd. from Mr Wood of a riot amongst the Colliers. From thence to Newcastle & to Burslem again when it was determined to call a Meeting on Saturday to consider of the propriety of an application to the Lord Lieutenant relative to the appointmt. of some acting Magistrates.
Friday 29: At home.
Saturday 30: At Burslem attending a Meeting when it was determined to petition the Gentlemen in the. . . . . .[Light..hand] who are nominated in the Commr. of the Peace to act & I was desired to prepare such particulars & make the application.
December, Sunday 1: At home. fine mild day.
Monday 2: Do. Do. Children so much indisposed with the Measles that Alcock did not come.
Tuesday 3: At home engaged in the farm &c. fine mild day.
Wednesday 4: Dined at the Swan Talk on the hill. Meeting of agricultural Society. The following Recipe produced by Mr Cox for making bread with the raw[?poor] corn of this wet season, & which had compleatly(sic) answered
Lay your flower(sic) in Leaven the night before it is meant to be baked. Boil the water you mix your Leaven with & let it cool before you mix in your Leaven. Then to every measure of wheat you intend to bake take half a pound of allum. Boil it til it is dissolved. Then make a hole in the flour and pour it boiling into it & mix it as you would a Leaven. Let it lie til you are going to knead your dough. Then rub your allum & leaven well amongst your flour & have ready as much water boiling as you think will make your dough which pour on your flower(sic). Be sure of the boiling. Knead it stiff and work it very well. Make your loaves not too large and through the middle of each loaf make a large hole and be sure it is quite through. Put the loaves in the Oven but take care that they do not touch one another.
[Transcribers note: Leaven is a substance added to dough to produce fermentation - a form of yeast. Good, freshly ground flour would not normally need as much yeast as is being recommended.]
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Thursday 5: At home. fine mild day. Engaged with Wm Beardmore for the new Road.
Friday 6: Do. Began alteration in the road.
Saturday 7: At Burslem. Glaze discovered for Porcelain Ware without the use of Lead.
Sunday 8: At home.
Monday 9: Do. fine mild day.
Tuesday 10: Do. Do.
[Gap left clear]
Wednesday 25: Set off for Nantwich. The time from the 10 to this day spent amost entirely at home in writing adjusting various Acct. &c.
1800
January, Sunday 5: Returned from our anual visit to Nantwich. Found a Letter from Mr Barker whom we expected tomorrow, informing us that he will not fulfil his engagement on account of the Gout with which he was then confined. James Hill came to his place on Thursday last. Fine mild day.
Monday 6: At home. Alcock did not come. Engaged greatest part of the day in settling the last years Accounts &c. Passed Beardmores Accounts relative to the Highways he having served the office of Surveyor for the last year.
Tuesday 7: At home. Engaged in Accounts &c. Alcock & his son, Musick.
Wednesday 8: At home.
Thursday 9: Do. Received information from Mr Wood of the discovery of a Clay in Lord Staffords coal mines peculiarly fine for the manufacture of earthen & porcelain wares.
Friday 10: At Stone attending Navgt. Committee Meeting for the purpose of raising Salaries of the Officers employed.
Saturday 11: Returned from Stone to a late dinner. Mild day.
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Sunday 12: At home.
Monday 13: At Burslem. Alcock did not come.
Tuesday 14: Dined at Mr Watkiss's at . . .[Whidrok]. Mr. Mrs & Miss Twemlows of the Hill & Captn. Furnival. Returned late. Alcock came in the Morning.
Wednesday 15: At home. Thick foggy day. Engaged in writing, accts. &c.
Thursday 16: Do. Mr Danl. Haywood advising relative to the Title to Dwelling house in Burslem purchased from Jno. Lovett. Mr Wm Hasseles relative to Settlement on his intended Marriage. Drew Drat. of Conveyance from John Turnock of the Lands purchased from him.
Friday 17: At home. Me Wood came staid all night.
Saturday 18: Mt Wood returned home in the Morning after much conversation relative to Mr Turners patent & the new material. Engaged with the Labourers at the alterations in the grounds.
Sunday 19: At home.
Minday 20: Do. Alcock. staid all night. Heavy Snow.
Tuesday 21: Do. Having this day attained the age of 41.
Wednesday 22: Do. Engaged in the alterations in the grounds.
Thursday 23: Do. Received a Letter from J Peake acquainting me that his Marriage with Miss Budgen had taken place on Tuesday last. Cold stormy day with much snow which in the Evening turned to rain.
Friday 24: At home. Blunt came to dinner.