William Goodwin of Street Farm, Earl Soham.

Diaries dated from 1785-1810. Vol. I.. HD 365/1.

Transcribed by Mrs. J. Rothery of Earl Soham, August 2001

The following Miscellany of Occurrences Persons and Curiosities was began in the Year 1785 by Wm. Goodwin of Earl Soham Surgeon and is intended as an Universal repository and Chronology.

Extract for 1786

January 1^st 1786 This year has began with very severe weather -

3^rd Wind S.W. with the sharpest Frost I ever remember - Therm’r in the parlour was 18 degrees below freezing - wh is one and a half lower than last Year - a Teacup of water left over night in my kitchin - corner was froze up, as was that in my bird’s-glass -

5^th Wind S.E. much Snow has fallen to night, wh has soften’d the Air

Benedict -

6^th More Snow, with very high Wind at E. - Roads in many places unpassable - Several Persons have lost their Lives this week by the Inclemency of the Weather - A Woman was frozen to Death near Wickham and a Man at Ufford -

Jan’y 1786 Mark Lane

Stocks

3 pr Cent Consol 70 to 72

N. between the 3d and ye 10^th Therm’tr varied no less than 38 Deg’s

8^th Wind S.W. very Mild air, and a hasty Thaw wh. began Yesterday and have occasion’d very high floods

11^th Wind S.W. and a fine warm Day - attended the Funeral of Mrs Kersey of Charsfield who was buried at Debenham

12^th A Fine warm pleasant Day

17^th Very sharp Frost and Snow -

21^st Wind S. Air very mild with Rain

Jany’y 1786 How comes it, that even the Delicate and tender-Hearted…

(1/3^rd page)

Dr Aidin on the preservation of Health, says that Sea-Salt is a very principal cause of ye Scurvy and that a total abstinence from It, … (1/2 page)

25^th Wind S.W. very warm Air heard ye Thrush sing his first song of Love and Joy

Jan’y 27^th 1786 a remarkably warm fine Day which with the singing of Larks and Thrushes made It as pleasant as any Day in Summer, to be abroad; verdure excepted

30^th Very warm fine weather - Wind S.W. ... (1/4 page)

31^st Quite a Summer’s Day - Wind S.W.

Parliment met the 24^th for the dispath of ye Business of this Sessions

Jan’y 1786Dr Percival speaking of the Perceptive power of the Vegitable kingdom (after giving many instances from the Sensative and other plants,)…

It has been estimated, that our Globe contains 20-000 Species of Vegitables, 3000 of worms, 12.000 Do. Of Insects 200 Do. Of Amphibious Animals, 2.600 Do of Fishes, 1550, of Birds and 200 Do of Quadrupeds

Diamonds have mistakenly been suppos’d by naturalists… (1/2 page)

The Emerald, Sapphire, topaz hyacinth and Ruby are compos’d of…(1/3^rd page)

Alphabetical writing was the gift of God to the Hebrews, and not the invention of Man, as many vainly imagine -

Feb’y 1^st 1786 Wind S.W. very warm and fine

3^rd Wind W. blows hard, with Snow -

Guliclm. 2d. natus hesternus Die hor. Novem P.M. - (?)

More instances of Longevity… (1/3^rd page)

Ye who amidst this Feverish world, wd wear

A Body free of Pain, of Cares a Mind;…(1/3^rd page)

Doc’tr Bell ‘on the Physiology of Plants’, observe that ye principle of Live is universally diffus’d thro’ nature, but bestow’d in different degrees, and that the most perfect of an inferior Species…(almost 1 page)

An Observer of ye Weather says ye 3^rd of Jan’y last was 10 Deg. Colder than in the great frost in 1740 and six Deg. Colder than was ever before known in England

Feb 6^th 1876 The fine mild weather still continues and this in particular is like a summer’s Day - Wind S.W.

8^th & 9^th Wind high at W. with a sharp frosty clear air -

10^th Very fine and warm

791 Gentlemen and 271 Gamekeepers took out Licences this Year in the County of Suff’k for killing Game wh. makes together no less a sum than 2000£ for a short liv’d Luxury

Hay sells in London from 3.16.0 to 4.18.0. pr Ton -

The Spring or Grove upon this Farm was planted in ye year 1751 and now contains about 1200 Trees; N. (no note given)

15^th One of ye finest Days ever seen; all the Birds in harmony, Primrose full blowen, and butterflys on ye wing make us think of Summer -

Feb 17^th 1786 The fine mild dry weather still continues - Farmers are high busy planting Beans - We finish’d six acres ye 21^st -

Suffolk Butter now sells from 40s to 42/ pr Firkin in ye Country

Fat Calves at 8 weeks old have sold readily to the packers for London Markets, at two Guineas each -

21^st Wind E. blows hard and Cold -

Our Navy is now compos’d of 452 fighting Ships Frigates and sloops, of which 156 are of the Line; this acc’t includes those on, as well as off, the Stocks

It was prov’d in the house of Commons by the Exports and Imports for the Two last years, that our Trade with north America was now more profitable than Ever and likely to increase

Feb’y 1786 The total amount of the Game Licences from Aug’st 1 1785 is 50-260£

23^rd & 24^th Wind N.E. blows very hard and extremely Cold - Freezes sharp within Doors -

26^th Wind N.E. remarkably Cold and the ground cover’d with Snow

27^th Wind N.E. blows a Gale, very Cold with more Snow -

An Extraordinary Eel was caught on ye coast of Norfolk. It measur’d five feet ten inches in length, was nine inches thick, two feet round and weigh’d between 50 and 60 pounds -

The Crops of Barly have been very great in this part of Suff’k the last Summer, having produc’d from 10 to 14 Combs pr. Acre as likewise have the Tick Beans - I had 264 Combs of Barly off 24 Acres wh. sold at 12/ pr C

Expenditure from Jan’y 1785 to Do 1786…(Navy, army etc 1/3^rd page - very faint) Also margin note

Revenue and Ways and Means for 1785

March 2^nd 1786 Bound up with frost and Snow and more falling - Wind N.E. blows hard and has been more severly Cold the last 10 Days than any of the same number this Winter -

General Burgoyne’s new Comedy call’d ye Heiress, produc’d 1500 at Drury Lane in Six nights

Col. Owen’s celebrated Diamond that was offer’d some Years since to the Queen for 50.000£ had no more bid for It, lately at public Auction than 15.000 £s wh was refus’d

An Author speaking of the present Age say’s Effrontery, self sufficient Effrontery carries all before It, while "Patient Merit, with a down cast Eye

Looks on wonders at It and Starves"

March 1786 In debating in the House on the great Question of @Increasing our Fortifications’…(1/2 page)

5^th Wind N.E. ground cover’d with Snow and ye Frost very intense. Thermo Parlour 12 Deg. Below freezing

6^th Wind N.E. blows hard and the most severely Cold I ever felt - froze very sharp last night and affected our Pump for the first time.

March 7^th 1786 Wind N.E. very sharp frost and Snow falling. Ther. 9 Deg. Below freezing -

To hear patiently and answer precisely, are the great perfections of Conversation -

In consequence of publishing the Case of Mary Bradcock of ye Parish of Dalinghoe., (above mention’d) We hve collected upwards of forty pounds from a generous Public to her unspeakable relief -

8^th Wind N.W. a remarkable Cold night - Pump froze in backhouse but much Snow having fallen to Day the Air is soften’d - Great-Coats and boots - Snow and frost, Winter faces and Coal fires, form the present Scene -

10^th Wind S.W. a fine Day and frosty night

Mar 12^th 1786 Wind W. S.W. a general Thaw and very fine pleasant Day

15^th Wind W.S.W. a snowy morning and Cold - Saw the first Young Lamb to Day - Sow’d a pound of Cow cabbage seed in Garden -

24^th Wind S.E. fine mild Weather wh. has continu’d several Days

Yesterday intended going to Bury Assizes as an evidence in Cordy’s affair and got as far as Stow, but return’d unwell, from a relaxation of the muscles or paralitic affection of one side of my face wh. happen’d thid Day 7’night and I fear will continue -

Cordy’s Trial for a S-y upon his Wife came on this Day before the Grand Jury and Judge Nares - the latter in his charge said no woman could be evidence against her husband but for high Treason; therefore the Bill was not found

Mar. 24^th 1786 A Cause was tried between Jno Holden Esq of Aldbro’ plaintif and Mr Pells Kersey of framsden Def’t (?) The latter sold the former a Gelding for 30 Guineas that had but one Eye - Holden return’d him as unsound. Kersey persisted in keeping the money aledging his knowledge of his having but one Eye or He would have been worth 50£ - The trial lasted a considerable time and was obtain’d by the Plaintiff, as proof came out, of the defendant’s asserting the horse had no fault when He was selling him - The Judge observ’d, a wrong Idea prevail’d relative to the Law respecting Horse dealing; and said a Man had as much right to his price for a Horse wether sound or not as any thing else, provided He did not warrant Him. This Idea is universal amongst the first Lawyers

Mar 1786 Sinclair’s History of the Revenue proves, regular Parliaments to be of no longer standing than 500 years… (1 page including Henry 5^th income p.a. , mention of Monasteries, abbies and colleges)

Mar 1786 The Annual Amount of the Poor’s Rates for this Kingdom are calculated to be 3.000.000

The above Rates first collected in 1552

Authentic reports to the House of Commons…(1/2 page)

The new Episcopal Church in America have expung’d from their faith 19 of ye 39 Articles the Nicene and Athanasian Creeds and that part of our belief "He descended into Hell"

Mar 26^th 1786 Wind W. frosty Morning and Snows very fast this afternoon

27^th Wind W. a very severe frost and the ground cover’d with Snow

Mr Lampriere the fortunate holder of one of the 20.000£ prizes in this Lottery assign’d 16.000£ of It to pay off the arrears of Debts, from wh. He was discharg’d some years since, by a Statute of Bankruptcy - What a noble instance of true Honor!

28^th Finished giving Turneps

29^th Began mowing Old grass for fat Beasts being much distress’d for keeping

The Severity of the Weather has been such, as to decay the early planted Beans to so great a degree, as to occasion’d most fields to be replanted

March 30^th 1786 Wind N.E. blows hard and extremely Cold - Snow still lies under the Hedge-rows

Mr Pitt in a most masterly speech in the House, explain’d ye Ways and Means from a Surplus of revenue, to fund Annualy 1-000.000£ for the regular decrease of the National Debt and said such a Sum properly applied would pay off 400-000-000£ in a Century -

The people of great Britain are calculated at between seven and eight Millions, who pay yearly in Taxes 15 Millions and upwards making nearly about forty Shill’gs a head -

18 different Artificers are employed in making a Pin and They can complete 18.000 in a Day - If one hand made ye whole Pin He would not finish 10 in a Day

April (2^nd?) 1786 A very fine mild Day -

4^th A fine Day - began Sowing Oats

Was this Day admitted to the Soham Estate upon paying a fine of 40£ and 10G’s for the Steward’s fees - The fine was thus moderate from the friendship and moderation of the Steward as well as its being consider’d as the half of a purchase fine My Father being living - My Mother was permitted to wave Her Claim to admission, and of course sav’d a fine.

9^th Wind N.E. blows hard and very Cold with rain and hail -

Scandal flies on Eagles Wings while Truth like Time comes slowly limping after

12^th Began Sowing Barly

15^th Fine dry warm summer Weather

17^th Do. Do

18^th Wind N. very Cold and blows hard

April 1786

By an accurate calculation it appears that each individual Anually consumes (in Bread and provisions) half a bushel of Salt or 565 pounds weight, and that 8 millions of Persons in England and 2 Millions in Scotland will consume 5 Millions of Bus’ls yearly of this necessary article in their food only - The Duty upon the above at 5/ pr Bus’l amounts to upwards of 1.000.000£ annually, but little more than 270.000£ is actually receiv’d by Government, the remainder is all Smuggled -

20^th Wind E. blows very Cold - and continues dry -

22^nd Wind S.E. Dry and warm - finish’d Sowing barly - (21 acres) wh. now wants a Shower to bring It up -

Count Orginsky a very distinguish’d Polish nobleman now in London was lately possess’d of an Estate of 150.000£s pr. Annum - our present Duke of Bedford now about of Age has 72.000£ a Year besides money in the Funds

There is now at a Wine Merchants in London a Cask wh. holds 32.500 Gallons -

April 15^th 1786 Mark Lane

Stocks

3 pr. Cents Consol - 69 3/8

Hay up to 5£.5s.od. pr. Ton - Straw to 2.2.0 in London

April 1786 The Chinese (3 pages)

April 24^th 1786 Fine warm summer weather with a pleasant refreshing Shower

26^th a Charming warm morning with Rain -

27^th Wind N. blows hard and Cold, with misty Rain - N. heard the Cucko and Nightingale for the first time this Season on ye 24^th - Swallows arrived a week before -

A Cow with a Calf by her side 10 days old was sold by Auction at a public Sale at Cretingham last week for the enormous price of nine pounds fourteen shill’s - She was not the most extraordinary -

Cinchona or Peruvian Bark Tree Five Males to one Female - Several of these Trees were fell’d for other purposes into a Lake, when an Epidemic Fever of a very mortal kind prevail’d at Loxa in Peru., and the woodmen accidently drinking the water were Cur’d, and thus was discover’d the virtues of this Drug

April 1786 Hindostan…(2 ½ pages)

25^th Green Peas were this Day in Covent Garden Market sold for one Guinea a bottle and Cherries for Two Do. -

Died Dr. Conyers rector of St. Pauls at Debtford - He was perfectly well on the morning and preach’d at his People - his Text "Ye shall see my Face no more" after naming wh. He fainted, recover’d and went thro’ his Sermon, again fainted, and died in the Evening of a Paralitic Stroke

April 1786 The following is the calculation of Spirits Smuggled into Gt. Britain (1 page)

The following amongst others are given:

Note made that 13-573.000 Gallons seiz’d by Customs in 15 months

April 1786 Mohammed (2 pages)

April 30^th 1786 Wind N. very Cold attended with Rain and sleet -

The number of Houses in Ireland in 1672 was 200-000 - in 1786 as stated by the Duke of Rutland ye Ld Lieutenant, 429-759 - allowing 5 persons to each the number of Inhabitants will be about 2-800-000

May 1^st Wind N.W. a white frost but fine and pleasant -

2^nd Wind S.S.W. smart frost - froze in my backhouse

3^rd Wind S. blows hard and very Cold with drizzling rain - began mowing the bowling Green

4^th Wind S. a fine ground Rain fell to night - attended Court at the Lodge when Mr. W. Kirby took leave of Us, as acting Steward, by appointing Mr. Jno. Kirby his Deputy - The Generosity, Liberality, and Gentleman-like conduct of the former, hath endear’d Him to all that know Him.

May 1786 How various and opposite are the Tenets of Religion…(1 page)

May 1786 Thus speaks ye Magdalen -

e’er number’d with the Dead

Envenom’d infamy shall blast my name

While envious scorn, the balefull take shall tell

And feast upon the ruins of my fame

For what can purchase female honor flowen

Or buy the feelings of ye Spotless Maid?

Paris by a recent calculation contains 1.130-452 Inhabitants

Births in Paris last Year

Males 10-000

Females 9.844

Burials 26-059

9^th a Fine ground Rain -

11^th Wind S.E. more Rain

14^th 15^th 16^th Very Fine growing Weather -

Attended the funeral of Mrs Susan Pells of Cretingham, a maiden of 70, who died of a Dropsy - She had 1200£ at Interest, but was one of the most penurious Creatures every (ever?) recorded. She lodged in the same room where she kept Her Furniture, Coals, Wood. Provisions etc etc. wh. was never clean’d of 10 years

May 17^th 1786 Wind S. very warm and a fine Rain

Newspaper cutting re: boxing match between Humphreys and Martin at Newmarket Fought ye 5^th of May 1786

Martin was back’d by Cap’tn Hanger of ye Guards and in the Suit of ye Prince of Wales - He had never been beaten before; had fought the best Men in England and stood Two hours and a half at an Engagement - his guard was excellent, but his fort seems to have been tumbling down to avoid blows and laying his half minuet (minute?) whilst his Antagonist stood up; to counteract this manoevere, Ripshaw made a seat with his knee for Humphries; The battle was for 150 a side - Cap’tn Loyde for ye winner

May 1786 France in 1785… (1/3 page)

Blanchard in his 17^th Arial excursion from Donay in a high wind travell’d 96 Miles in as many minutes -

25^th Very fine Weather continues - to Day very Hot - great prospect for grass and spring Corns -

Beef and mutton uncommonly scarce and dear - The former sells in London Market at Smithfield at 6d pr. lb. By the whole Bullock, and prime pieces at ye same price at Ipswich.

May 26^th & 27^th Very Hot Days -

The late Elections for a Member of Parliament for Carlisle and Lancaster cost the Lowthers 40 thousand Guineas - and did not obtain a seat in ye House.

We complain of Taxes and increase our Luxuries - all the Shopkeepers newly return’d from London have Their Shops crowded with Customers for finery - one Man for fancy - Gowns - Aprons etc took 20£ one Market Day at framlingham in the Cross

The Prince of Wales’s Annual income… 1/3^rd page)

May 1786 A Man working in the Roads at Benacre found a Stone bottle containing 920 pieces of silver Coin, of Julium Caesar wh. by their date had lain 1500 Years -

29^th Assisted at an operation for the Stone on a Mr Cole of Charsfield - Mr Buck Jun’r extracted It, after a very tedious operation - much trouble was given by a Haemorrhage that ensued after the Patient was put to Bed - Notwithstanding the above untoward circumstances ye. Wound of ye bladder heal’d in 8 Days and the patient is out of Danger -

Newspaper cutting (Poem).

The above were written against the general Dissipation and want of Learning at Cambridge.

On back of cutting ref to Wm. Burrows late of the Angel St. Clements Ipswich taking on the Tankard. Also John Taylor - Cheap Linen Warehouse, on the Cornhill, Ipswich.

June 1^st 1786 Hot Dry and dusty

Newspaper cuttings: On the Necessity and Benefits of Exercise from Poems by Wm. Cowper, Esq

Dr Priestly finds by experiment ye following substances yield the anex’d quantities of Air…(1/3^rd page)

June 13^th 1786 No Rain since the 17^th of May and is now much wanted for Grass and Corn lands -

The Days for many past have been very Hot and the nights Cold and frosty-

A Bad prospect for Apples Plumbs and Cherries, a blight and Caterpillar having seik’d and destroy’d most of Their blossoms - the latter suppos’d to be occasion’d by the Locust-fly -

3000 Slaves have Died on board our African Ships of the Scurvy and bad treatment, since the last war; how man of these unhappy fellow-creatures have suffer’d and are still perishing by the relentless and cruel hand of barbnarous Europeans, falsly denominated Christians? -

14^th Wind N.E. and Cold -

June 1786 The musical festival at Westmin(s)ter Abbey on the 30^th last was grand beyond description - near 700 musicians the King and Royal family, foreign princes the nobility and most distinguish’d Gentry, form’d the wonderfull and enchanting scene - Handel’s Music - Dr Bates timeist, and Cramer Led the band - It began at 12 and ended about 4 o’cClock - 4000 Persons compos’d the Auditory

The great adulteration of wines imported into England, is carried on in Guernsey, wh. is the Magazine of the Wines of this Country’s Luxury This is chiefly effected by mixing low Spanish and French wines of six pounds pr. Pipe with Claret - Port and White wines, to wh. they add bad Brandy - The English Merch’ts keep Their wine - Doctors at Gurnsey as Agents on purpose -

June 1786 List of Gentlemen return’d from Preisdencies in the East Indies with the suppos’d quantum of Fortune they hastily accumulated… (1/2 page - mentions Rumbold, Barwell, Wynch, Monckton, Hastings, Spencer)

The Tea Trade at the India house is increase’d since the Commutation Tax from Six to fourteen Millions of pounds pr. Annum -

15^th a fine refreshing Rain -

17^th Do. Do.

The 3 grand musical Days in Westminster Abbey clear’d 10-000-G’s for Charitable purposes

June 1786 In 1315 Edward 2d issued a writ wh. made it penal to sell the best Ox for more than 24 shillings - a grass feed Do. 16s - a fat stall’d Cow 12s - a grass fed Do - 10s - a Fat Sheep with well grown wool 20d - if shorn 14d - a fat Hog of two years old 3s. 4d. - a fat goose 2d ½ - a fat Capon 2d - a fat Hen 1d - Two Chickens 1d - four Pigeons 1d - 24 eggs 1d -

A Fat Ox now sells at 5s pr Stone Mutton 5d pr bl - Fowls in the Country for about 4d1/2 pr bl, in London at least double - Pork 4d pr lb - Eggs 7 for 2d and yet our provisions are as cheap as they were in Edward’s Time considering the value of money Then and now -

Since the Act "restraining the Sale of captur’d smuggl’d Spirits" So great has been the quantity taken that the different officers have claims upon Government for 600-000£ as a compensation -

June 1786 St Matthew is suppos’d to have written his Gospel, about the year 60 or 26 or 27 Years after the Death of our Lord Jesus Christ -

About 300 Ships are this year employ’d in Greenland… )(1/3^rd page)

It cost Government for confining or transporting Convicts for one Year the enormous Sum of £31-299-10s -

19^th 20^th and 21^st Very Hot - a slight Thunder Storm with a fine Shower

22^nd and 23^rd Very Hot - began mowing Clover -

24^th A sharp Thunder-Storm and a fine Rain that will be of great benefit to our Corns and Grass

June 1786 The City of London pays £200-000m(annually) Duty on Coals -

Lord Archi. Hamilton’s fine Estate and Manors in Rendlesham, Butley and Leiston were put up last week in London for 51-400£ - N. only ye Leiston Estate sold - 10-200 ye price

Now living at Burton in Westmorland a Boy whose name is Jno. Pooley - He is only 8 years and six months old - weighs 9 st 4 lb and is five feet nine inches high - at Six Years of age he had all the marks of Puberty and has bee oblig’d to shave for two years past -

Mr Lambert resign’d possession of the Falcon to Mr. Block - Total coming in 203£

26^th Began Planting Cow-Cabbages and sowing Turnips -

27^th Weather continues very Hot - more Rain to Day

June 1786 The Revenues and Estates of the Corporation of ye City of London produce Annually 170-000£

In debating on the new Wine Duty Bill in the house of Lords…(2/3rds page)

Three pr. Cent. Cons. 74 and a fraction

June 1786 Jervis Matchem surrender’d himself to Justice to be tried on his own confession for a murder committed seven Years since in huntingdon-shire, being unable to live under the pangs of a Guilty Conscience -

Tippoo Saib Son and Successor of Hyder…

The Dress worn by Her Majesty on the King’s birth Day, including Diamonds and Lace was worth 150-000£ - Guards attended the Ladys house that made It up, to prevent accidents -

The East India Company’s Annual Territorial Revenue in Asia is 5.000-000£ Their present Debt about 10.000.000£ -

Advertisement? (Ipswich July 5^th 1786)

To the Nobility, Gentry and the Admirers of the wonderful Productions of Nature.

Just arrived, and to be seen alive, in a large Caravan in the Market-Place of this Town

The Surprizing Worcestershire Heifer six years old:

Being the most curious Production of Nature ever exhibited in this Kingdom.

This very surprising Creature has two Heads, four Horns, four Eyes, four Ears etc… One of the Heads, together with the Horns, represent that of a Bull and the other of a Cow…. (Cost of entry) Ladies and Gentlemen 1s, Tradesmen 6d. Servants 3d.

July 1^st 1786 Mark Lane

July 6^th 1786 Fine and hot Weather continues - finish’d getting up on the Cock and Stacks 20 acres of Clover and Grass in fine order - N. about 30 Hund. (?) Pr. Acre, nearly double the quantity of last Year -

Hatch’d a brace of Pheasants under a Hen - The eggs were forsaken on the 23^rd June and laid expos’d to the Air 10 hours and were extremely cold when put. Under Her

7^th Gather’d a mess of French. Beans - Wind S.W. with Rain

8^th Wind S.W. a ground Rain - planted more Cabbages -

9^th More Rain -

16^th The weather has been very warm all this week and a plenty of fine Hay made - N.B. now sells at Ipswich for 40s a Ton -

18^th Finish’d Haysale at Soham - very fine

July 1786 Ipswich Races produc’d very little Sport this year - The Company was small both on the Ground and in the Town - about 160 apear’d at ye Assembly only half their former Company -

Luxury Governor Hasting’s Lady on her return from India, waited on the Governess at ye Cape in an Undress worth 10-000£, and made an Apology for the ndecorum -

Rancid Salt Butter may be made sweet, by melting and sciming It and putting to It a piece of Toasted bread -

15^th Finish’d Sowing Turnips - Those that are up promise to do well -

July 1786 Sir Fopling’s Progeny now appear with bows of Ribbonds at the Knee and in their Shoes, tied in large quantities and with the most studied nicety - Twelve Buttons grace each Knee and long droping ringlets Their empty Heads, wh. require dressing 3 or 4 times a Day - a common Tradesman will pay six guineas a quarter to his Frizeuer

Ice Shops are now in full trade - Every Puppy must have his wine and even Fruit cool’d with Ice, or else ‘tis call’d monstrous heating -

Fox Hunting a Cause Gundrie agst. Felton (a huntsman) was tried in ye King’s Bench for a Trespass in persuing a Fox over his Lands and breaking Hedges - Ld. Mansfield and his Bretheren four for the Defend’t - Because ye Fox is a noxious animal and was not unkennel’d on the Plaintif’s Lands - The Law has made a Hare noxious, for spoiling Gardens etc.

July 1786 12.000 Copies of the Fashionable Magazine sold off in Two Days.

The Band of Music for Westminster Abbey cost this year 3-200£ The Builder’s Bill - 1-210£

The population of the American States…

21^st Wind W. very cold with drizzling Rain -

26^th Wind S.W. - very Hot and Dry; no Rain for 10 Days which has hurt the Rawings and feeding Lands - Began hoeing Turnips

Newspaper cutting re The Dunmow Flitch

July 1786 The Prince of Wales - (one page re extravagances - selling off various assets to "discharge the demands of his Creditors) Sold named horses of 7000£ which Cost 40.000£

July 1786 The Whale Fishery has been very successful this Year…(1/3^rd page)

Soham Fair was very Gay and uncommonly full this Year - Lambs more than usual wh. sold from 4/6 to 11/ pr Head - All the Drawers of Beer, got rid of It chiefly the first Day - 32 Sellers besides the Taverns - one Ginger bread Stall took 7 Guineas the 24^th

Ipswich Lamb Fair was very full containing 130.000 m(?) Lambs wh. sold from £5 to 16£ pr. Score and many left upon hand

July 31^st Wind S.W. with a fine Shower and cool Air - Turnips promise universally for a fine Crop

Whitbread the great London brewer return’d last Year 143.000 Barrels of Porter and is suppos’d to save five shillings upon every Barrel clear of all charges, making an annual profit of 35.000£ and upwards

Newspaper cutting: extracts from a MS in the possession of the Antiquary Society, dated 22^nd January, in the reign of Henry VIII.

Newspaper Cutting: Heading: Volunteers. 44^th (or East Essex) Regiment. Requirements given for those volunteering. Mention of Chelsea hospital..

Aug’st 4^th 1786 Attended Bury Assizes upon a Subpoena on Mr Cordy’s singular Case, His wife having presented a new Bill, for "an attempt to commit S----y and other misdemeanours" wh. being found by the grand Jury against Him, he apear’d to take his Trial, before Baron Skinner at ye Crown Bar. His Lordship not wishing to preside at such a novel doubtfull business, put the Matter off ‘till He could have the opinion of the rest of the Judges, ordering Mrs Cordy to take up all necessaries in Her Husband’s name till next Assizes

Newspaper cutting: The Bell Men of Ipswich, composed an Address to their Sovreign… handwritten note relating to same: Addressing the King having been the fashion on his escape from Mrs Nicolson, the above Skit was meant to ridicule ‘em.

Aug’st 8^th 1786 A Horse-Fair was held this Day at the Cherry Tree in Debenham for the first time - The novelty of the matter drew together many People and Horses. Oliver the keeper of the House is said to have drawn seven Barrels of Beer on the occasion - Sixty Years since a Horse Race and Fair was held hthere -

11^th Very Hot Sultry Air - a fine Shower fell this afternoon.

12^th More Rain - Wind W. - finish’d mowing 7 ½ acres of Oats

13^th Rain - wind S.W. -

14^th Wind S.W. a heavy Rain

15^th Much Rain fell to night and still continues - Wheats that are Cut and Shock’d are in danger of being hurt -

16^th & 17^th Rain Wind N.W. with hot Air

18^th &19^th Wind S. with drizzling Rain -

Aug’st 20^th 1786 Wind S. blows strong with a heavy cloudy Air and some Rain -

21^st Wind. S. with only a small shower of Rain - much of ye Shock’d Wheats were carried to Day and Those that stood in large fields receiv’d but little damage but such as were under hedges and in small inclosures are considerably grown -

Began Mowing Barly and shearing and carrying Wheat -

22^nd brown dry Day and much Corn carried

23^rd A Torrent of Rain fell in various spots as Bredfield Dalinghoe aetc but did not extend far -

Aug’st 24^th Wind W. and much Rain fell in the night - Air hot and Sultry

25^th slight Shower fell in the night

26^th a very fine Day and much corn was gotten up -

27^th A heavy Rain fell last night and more this Evening and night

A Receipt for black Water in Cattle

Take common Salt and Treacle each half a pint. Rock Allum 2 oz. Dragon’s blood half an oz. Oil of Vitriol half an oz. Mild beer two or three pints, mix and Dissolve and give for one Dose, wh. may be repeated if occasion requires at the end of 12 or 24 hours - N.B. The above Cur’d one of my Cows in a few hours -

Sep’tr 3^rd 1786 The last Week has been fineish and much Barly and Wheat gotten in - This morning Wind S.W. a white frost ‘till 8 o’Clock -

4^th Wind S.E. a great deal of Rain fell in the last night, but we have a fine Morning - The principal part of the Red & White Wheats are safely Lodg’d

9^th Harvesting has gone on briskly the last 5 days altho’ we have had frequent showers, but chiefly in the nights - a very high wind at S.S.W. but not equal to that the 6^th of this month of last Year - Finish’d Wheat Harvest (and Barly all but 4 Acres) last night and never got the corns inn, in finer order - Harvest Supper This Evening -

14^th an uncommon high Wind from the S.W. all Day and night -

15^th High wind continues and has blown down most of the Apples, bows off and some Trees down

Sep’tr 1786 How we have bound the Princes of India in chains, let the following Letter tell, - From his Highness Nabob of Arcot… (2/3^rd of page)

15^th Finish’d getting up 4 Acres of Barly in fine order, and concluded Harvest, all but Beans and Clover seed -

17^th Wind S.W. Gain last night - a fine Morning -

Sep’tr 1786 In large Societies Cold Ceremony’s leaden hand waves… (1/3^rd page)

18^th S.W. warm Air with drizzling Rain -

21^st a very fine Day as were the Two preceeding - carried my seed Clover off a fed crop -

24^th & 25^th Fine Days

26^th Wind W. with Rain -

27^th Wind W. Rainy afternoon and night

28^th Rainy Morning with warm Air

29^th Wind S.W. Rainy morning and a great deal fell in the night

The Indian’s Cure for the Bite of the Rattle-Snake, is equal parts of the juice of Horehound and Plantain, to be taken frequently in pretty large quantities, and the would to be dress’d with the bruis’d herbs

1500 Acres of Land in America purchased by the Father, is now worth to the Son 3000£ and cost but 30£, rapidly has the value of Land increas’d there -

Margin note: did Smith’s Tour in N. America

North America contains 56 distinct Tribes or Nations of Indians… (1/2 page)

Sep’tr 1786 In a Court, no Vice is so injurious as Sincerity; no merit, like Hypocricy. …(1/3^rdpage)

A Prayer…(1/3^rd page)

A Copper Plate is now Ingraving by order of the Bank, for B. Notes, each to be worth 250.000£ - They are for the India Company to pay Dutys -

Sep’tr 1786 of 100.000 Slaves purchas’d by Europeans 47.000 Die on Their Voyage and in Their seasoning, to the Climates they are carried to, besides the numbers that fall at Home in the Wars and conflicts occasion’d by this horrid traffic - O ye Christians forbear this inhuman trade or renounce the name. Of Jesus!

A violent Contest for a Member of Parliament took place at Norwich between Sr. Thos. Bevor. And Mr. Hobart nothing but Fighting, Drinking and Rioting was to be seen for many weeks previous to the Day of Election, on wh. 6000 Stqaves men were employ’d under pretence of keeping peace, who fell immediately to War with each other knocking down and even murdering their adversaries - Hobart was return’d, but a Scrutiny demanded - This Election cost 14.000£ and upwards for a Seat for little more than 3 Years

Sep’tr 1786 A woman died this month in Wales upwards of 140 years of Age -

Lately Died in north Wales…

The Cause of the Tides has lately been suppos’d to proceed from Electricity - An Electrified ball near a a bason full of Water causes it to Ebb and flow -

Government are about establishing a new Colony at Botany Bay…

Sep’tr 1786 Moral Phylosophy, Morality, Ethics…

On Happiness…(1/2 page) - also margin note

Sep’tr 29^th 1786 4 Gal. Ag. Junip in ye Chest

2 ½ Do of Sp’t Gallic -

It appears by accounts from France that 8000 Criminals pardon’d… (1/3^rd page)

The Pretender or as now more commonly call’d…

(Oct. 31^st) The Princess Amelia Daughter to Geo’ge the 2^nd now lies at the point of Death - She has sent Her superb set of solid Gold. Tea and Coffee. Equipage that cost 97.000£ as a present to the Prince of Hesse Cassel -

Oct. 1^st 1786 a fine Day as were the two succeeding -

4^th Wind S.W. with much Rain

5^th Rain all Day

6^th Wind S.W. Rain all Day -

7^th Wind S.W. blows very hard and much rain fell in the night

8^th Wind S.W. fine Day and wet night

9^th Wind S.E. fine Day and very rainy night

10^th Wind S.W. Rainy dull warm morn’g.

11^th & 12^th Wind W. with Rain night and Day -

13^th Wind W. a fine Day -

14^th Wind W. a smart Frost and fine morn’g

15^th Wind W. fine frosty morning -

16^th Wind W. Rainy Morn’g. fine afternoon carried a few Beans that had stood ye Wet

17^th Wind W. frosty night - Rainy morning

18^th Do. Do. Very fine Day -

19^th Do. Do. Dully foggy Morning -

20^th 21^st 22^nd Dry Days and frosty nights

23^rd 24^th Wind E. very fine Days.

Oct’r 1786 Virtue is "The doing good to Mankind…

Habits are such consequence…

A new Distillery upon a very large Scale is open’d at Wandsworth - Two Coppers hold each 1400 Gallons - They wet 140 Sacks of Grain Daily, and feed 1500 Swine -

Oct 1786 The wetness of the Season prevented us beginning to Sow Wheat till ye 13^th of this Instant

14^th Mark Lane

Stocks Three pr. Cents Consol 77 and a fract.

A New Commercial Treaty is just now agreed upon between Us and France…

During the Peace (previous to the fatal American War) the 3 pr. Cents were from 87 to 94 -

Oct. 1786 The Commercial Treaty between England and France…(good trade with France. Duty on various drinks reduced) (1 page)

N.B. Government finding It expedient have since the above further reduc’d the Duty on brandy and Rum - the former to 5/ the latter to 4/ pr. Gal -

The Hollanders have quarrel’d with Their Stadtholder…(nearly a page)

Newspaper Cutting: Dr Adair’s remarks on the shortness of human life.

Oct 24^th 1786 Weather now favors our sowing Wheat and getting in the Clover seed of mowen Crops, wh. appear unpromising -

25^th 26^th 27^th Wind W. and N.W. very find, dry and pleasant - nights frosty

28^th 29^th Wind E. and N.E. blows very Cold but continues dry -

In Prussia a Disease prevails amongst Their horned Cattle that has been cured by an equal part of Salt and Ginger pounded together of wh. a handful is given to a Beast twice a Week -

The Prince of Wales sold his last six Coach-Horses to the Duke of Orleans at 100£ each - His Creditors are call’d together by public notice and His Income vested in the hands of four Trustees to pay His Debts -

Nov’r 1^st 1786 Wind N.E. blows hard and very Cold - Dry weather still continues -

2^nd Wind West - morning Foggy with Rain -

3^rd Finish’d Setting Wheat - a find Day

4^th 5^th Wind W. mild Weather -

6^th Wind N. E. sharp frost, blows hard and very Cold -

7^th Wind N.E. blows hard and excessively Cold with hard frost -

9^th &10^th Mild pleasant brown Days

11^th & 12^th Brown Days with light Showers -

13^th Wind E. - very fine morning with frost.

14^th Wind E. fine morning and a smart frots

15^th Do. Do. Close Morn’g with a hard frost

16^th Foggy Morning -

18^th Wind E. cold Morn’g with Sleet

19^th Do. N.E. with heavy Rain -

20^th Do. Do. Rain all Day

21^st Wind E. dull Morning

22^nd Do. Do. Very fine pleasant Day

23^rd 24^th 25^th Do. Do. Dull Days with cold high winds

26^th Do. Do. Rainy Morning

27^th 28^th 29^th Wind. S.E. Foggy rainy Weather

30^th Do. W. Do. Do. Do.

Nov’r 13^th 1786 a General Mourning is Commanded for the Princess Amelia to begin this Day -

471.000£ was transferr’d at ye Bank… (1/3^rd page)

The Shoals of Herrings that Annually visit these Kingdoms is suppos’d to exceed the size of great Britain and Ireland -…

Mr Akerman keeper of Newgate is allow’d 682£ pr. Annum in lieu of his former Tap

The Commercial Treaty with France has already greatly enligen’d the Manchester, Sheffield and Staffordshire manufactories -

The Smuglers work’d Two Cutters last week - a Boat with 500 Tubs was overset, the goods and 5 men lost - The Contraband Trade has daily declin’d since Mr Pitt’s Commutation Bill and has receiv’d its death would in the new Treaty with France

Lady Strathmore whilst suing for a Divorce in Doctors Commons ags’t Her present Husband… was forcibly carried away…(1 1/4 pages)

Kidney Beans preserv’d Dry upwards of a hundred Years were macerated 2 or 3 Days, then planted and vegetated as if but one year old - Seeds of the Sensitive plant sent from India and 70 Years Old, did the same, and how long the living principle in seeds, may be preserv’d is difficult to say and wonderfull in the proof -

Africa was once the seat of the Sciences, Learning and Heroism and could boast a Library that excell’d all we are now acquainted with, being written in Letters of Gold, by Dissolving It in some liquid, a secret much esteem’d amongst the Antients, but now entirely lost.

Dec 13^th 1786 My old friend the Rev’d Loder Allen was this Day presented with the Living of Easton by Lord Rochford -

(2 pages)

Dec’r 4^th 1786 A Cutter loaded with Spirits was work’d on our Coast and all the goods sav’d by the Smuglers -

Mr Hull’s brown Horse Quibbler carrying a Boy of 4 st. and a half ran 23 Miles upon Newmarket heath in 57 minutes and 10seconds - much money was betted and many Gentlemen of the Turn were present - He was allow’d an hour to do it in. ‘Tis thought the greatest thing ever done by any Horse in England - Gimcrack bought by the late Mr. Wildman for 17 Guineas at Bever’s and sold after to the Duke de Lauzon, ran 25 miles in France in the same space of Time -

27^th a hasty Thaw with Rain

28^th Smart Frost and fine pleasant Day

29^th Frosty and pleasant Weather - no snow

30^th A fine frosty morning

31^st The Year ended with open agreeable weather and little frosty