good Health. The Success of this journey will in my apprehension, much point out the Life of my Son; the foundation now being to be laid either of Industry and Virtue or Vice and Sloth; nothing being surer, then as the Principles so will the Practice be; which has given me the great Circumspection in my choice of his Tutor who, I have Confidence will be more then ordinary careful over him; and so under the Protection of the Almighty Providence leave him to proceed.

Sunday 4th. Mr. Fox preach'd this afternoon, on these Words, viz: Search the Scriptures. After Sermon I was at Mr. Fox's; with him Mr. Pierce the Clergyman, Capt. Jacob Selfe, and Mr. Manks an Hour or more. Mr. Fox designing for Bath tomorrow where he has found much Benefit towards Recovery of his Health.

Munday 5th. Afternoon I made a visit to Bro: Selfe, who since my Absence has been overturn'd in his Chariot and much bruised in his Way from Nonsuch. Wednesday 7th. I went to Rhoteridge † in the Afternoon to see Workmen and speak wth my Tenant, else not from home.

Thursday 8th. I went this Morning to Bath to see my Mother, who when I came seem'd to be discontented wth, me for some Matters, yt. I thought I had deserv'd her utmost approbation in, wch, indeed gave me uneasiness during my Stay there and some melancholy thoughts, wch, were somwhat reliev'd by Mr. Fox, who came and tarried an Hour or more: I returnd in ye Even.

Friday 9th. This day I spent at Home, the latter part of it mostly wth, my Serv., who were taking into the Barn a small Wheat Rick in wch, the Mice had made sad Havock altho the same was but of last Yrs. growth. My Tenant Little assisting us was wth, me an Hour afterward.

Sunday 11th. One Mr. Thomson that is Curate at Poulshot preached this Morning on the Last Verse of the 28 of Job, where all my family attended.

Munday 12th. Afternoon Bro. Selfe, his Son Jacob and Mr. Robt. Smith of the Forest were with me some Hours-The Latter in Business and his Stay was not long. Our Talk concerning the publick was of the dissolution of the Parliam.. and the prodigious Bribery now made use of for new Elections, which vile Corruptions I fear are permitted by the Divine Power as a Scourge for our Wickedness, for what greater Punishment can befall a Nation yn to have the Legislature it selfe have its being from open Bribery and Baseness.

Tuesday 13th. After dinner I went to Devizes to have spoken wth. Mr. Sadlier who was not at Home, so had only the Company of my Tenant Hillman and return'd..

Wednesday 14th. Bro: Selfe sent to me this Afternoon to meet Mr. Jacob Selfe at his house to consult of some Matters relating to the Parish, and I tarri'd there talking of the Parish Business and other Matters till near ten.

Thursday 15th. All the day I was about my own Home, and in the Evening at the Request of my Neighbour Poulsom § was at his House where I bargain'd with his Son Jacob to serve me from our Lady-day next, in Place of Jno. Acreman at the Wages of £3 and Livery every year.

Friday 16th.

After dinner I went to Rhoteridge to see Workmen there
*Rev. Bohun Fox, Vicar of Melksham, 1697-1750.

+ Near Melksham. + Francis Sadlier, an Attorney at Devizes.
The name Poulsom is still found at or near Shaw.

*

and return'd to Melkesham to John Glasse's where were Bro. Selfe and the two Jacob Selfes, and in some little time after Mr. Jerom Awdry came in who is willing to serve the Office of Church Warden on our Request the next Year, to wch. Purpose we met and so consequently had much talk of Parish Business.

Saturday 17th. I was at Home all the day and Watty † came from Marlborough in ye Evening.

Sunday 18th. Mr. Pierce preach'd this afternoon on the 3 Verse of the 15th of Proverbs, all my family being present.

Tuesday 20th. My Tenant Gibbs was all ye Company I had wth. me this day who came in a little after my Return from a Walk to Daniels Wood. I

Wednesday 21st. Early this Morning I went to Beanacre and from thence wth. Bro: Selfe to Laycock, from whence we went with Mr. Talbot in his Coach to Marlborough to the 3 Tunns, where was appointed a meeting of the Gent. of the County to name a Person they thought proper to succeed Mr. Hyde in Case of his Death or otherwise declining to stand Candidate for this County, he being both antient and infirm. There was a considerable Number met at the Place appointed and being inform'd Mr. Hyde was indifferently well in Health at this time, came to ye Resolution that in either Case above mentioned Mr. Goddard of Swindon should be the Person to stand in his Place, after which we came back to Lacock and supp'd there, afterwards to Beanacre where also I stay'd some little time so yt twas near two before I came home.

Thursday 22nd. My Tenant Brookman and his Son in Law Fussell came hither last night, so yt. I could not speak with them 'till this Morning, and having discours'd our Business they went hence abt. 11. The rest of ye Day I was very private wth, my own family.

Friday 23rd. This day, saving attending the Church Service, was spent privately at Home.

Saturday 24th. I had but little or no extraordinary Business this day; only in the afternoon I discharg'd my Servt. Jno. Acreman, he being to leave my Service to-morrow.

Sunday 25th. I and my two Girles attended all the Divine Service both Morning and Afternoon. Mr. Fry preach'd in ye Morning on the 6 Verse of 24th of St. Luke's Gospel.

Munday 26th. Jacob Poulsom came yesterday to my Service, his Wages £3 per an. This Morning having Watty with me I call'd on my Mother at Bath who is now down in the Gout, and leaving him there went forward on my journy to Glaston; but the weather proving very bad, as much Rain and Hail with Thunder and Lightning, I took up my Quarters at Wells, and had with me (who I met by accident) one Stonage a Tyler, who does my work for me at Norwood, an Hour or Two.

Tuesday 27th. As soon as I could move from my Quarters I went to Glaston but first to Norwood,§ where my Tent. Brookman came to me and went with me to Glaston where I reckon'd with him and Seald Leases for the Estate for 7 Yrs. from Lady-day last, and having sever1. other Persons in Business, after Jacob Selfe lived at Place House, once the Residence of the Brounckers. He died 1730. The house has lately been pulled down.

+"Watty," Walter Smith, second son of the writer, born 1706.

The Daniels family removed from Melksham parish to Preshute, near Marlborough. Norwood Park, near Glastonbury, belonged to Mr. Smith; afterwards came to the Neales,

dinner I went to the passing the parish Acts., and after some Wrangling there where there is a great Cause for Complaint, I took Horse again and quartered at Somerton this Night.

Wednesday 28th. I took my journy as soon as I could in the Morning towards Catsly, and my Letter of Notice miscarrying was partly disappointed and I lay at Beaminster this Night.

Thursday 29th. At eight I left my Quarters and came to Doctr. Pollard's at Croscomb, and from thence went to several of my Tenants Houses but return'd to dine with the Doct, where I tarryd all Night expecting Mr. Symes, who by a Messenger desird my stay and that he would be wth. me in the Evening.

Friday 30th. After drinking a dish of Tea I took my leave of the family and lodg'd this Night at Shepton Mallett.

Saturday 31st. Having some Business wth, my Mother I call. at Bath abo*. noon and after little stay came Home at four, found my two Girles well and Watty and that in my Absence Martha Pitman had left our Service, and Mary

was come in her place at the Wages of £4 per an.

Sunday, April 1st. Mr. Pierce preached this afternoon on ye 36 and 37 Verses of the 10th of St. Luke's Gospel, and Sermon ended I was at Mr. Guppy's* wth. Bro. Selfe his son Jacob and Mr. Jacob Selfe of Melksham an Hour or more.

Monday, 2nd. I was about my own House all the day looking over my Affairs and had two of my neighbours wth, me to collect the Land and Window Tax, besides my tenant Little in the evening. Watty went to School.

Tuesday, 3rd. By Invitation I din'd wth. Bro: Selfe, where were Sr. Wm. Hanham,† Mr. Norris, Mr. Jacob Selfe and Mr. Methuen on whose Act. this feast was made. All that were married had also their Consorts wth, them. Doctr. Bave (of Bath) who was passing through the Village was with us some little time: Our chief discourse was of the Returns made for ye Parliam1. now choosing, and the vast and open Bribery made use of in all parts of ye Kingdom to yt. Purpose: and likewise of some of our parochial Business, Brewer the Lawer being wth, us in the Evening who is to manage a Tryal for this parish tomorrow at y Session: my stay was till about Nine leaving all behind me. Betsy went to Bath this day to see her Grandmother and stay some time there.

Wednesday, 4th. I went to Rhoteridge in ye afternoon and returned to Mr. Long's my tenant wth, whom I had Business and at my coming Home found Ed. Ferryman and another Person from or near Salisbury who held me in discourse good part of the Evening: ye other Man being a Butcher.

Thursday, 5th. I went to our Tenants at Littlecot ‡ and also called at Mr. Tuck's at Goatacre, and in my Way Home at Sandy Lane to have met a person yt. did not come: So came Home in the Evening.

Friday 6th. About 3 afternoon I walk". to Melksham where at Mr. Selfe's I met Bro. Selfe, his son Jacob and Mr. Methuen; we yt. were concern'd went to the Vestry and after some stay there return'd to our Company and had Mr. Fox wth, us for an Hour, and so to our Homes.

Saturday 7th. I was about my own Home all the day, in the afternoon Mr.

*The Guppy's were Melksham Clothiers; lived also at Sandridge, near Melksham. Richard Guppy married Margaret Selfe, They used the Arms of Cope, of co, Northamptonshire.

+ Sir William Hanham, of Neston, married 1717, Maud Norris, of Nonsuch, whose mother was Elizabeth Selfe. Mr. Methuen, of Bradford, (not yet of Corsham).

+ Littlecote, a farm at Hilmarton; (was sold 1856, at the death of Lady Neale).

Brooke's Son of Heddington was with me some little time in Business. Sunday 8th. Mr. Fox preach'd this Morning on 24th Verse of 16th Chapt. of Matthew's Gospel, where we all attended.

Munday 9th. I went to Rhoteridge in the Morning after Mr. Horton of Broughton had taken a dish of Tea with us, who came to talk with me of the Election of the County which is to be tomorrow for Knts. to serve in Parliam., and being return'd Mr, Jacob Selfe of Melkesham and he of the same Name of Beanacre, were wth. me in the afternoon on ye same affair.

Tuesday 10th. Early this Morning I took Horse for Wilton, call'd on Mr. Seymour at Seend and went wth, several of our Neighbours to yo place of Election, when appear'd no Opposition against St. R. Howe and Mr. Hyde, so they were declar'd accordingly; afterwards went to Sarum where dining only with our own friends and Relations at the Blue Boar, we when dinner was ended went to the Angel where ye great Company din'd, and there Mr. Goddard of Swindon was again agreed to be set up as Candidate in Case Mr. Hyde should faile, who was not able to appear at Wilton, and then spent the Evening wth. many Gent. at the Tavern.

Tuesday 25th. After dinner I went to Keevil to my old Servts. Rich. Dalmer, who had me to see a horse at a Neighbour's House; wch, having done I return'd to my own Home.

Wednesday 26th. This Morning I went to Bath to see my Mother in Law, who I find not to be at all well in Health. I pass'd away the whole Time with her and those in the same House, viz., Mr. Norris, &c., and did not so much as stirr from thence 'till I came Home.

Thursday 27th. This day indeed I was at Bath as is mention'd in the preceding Article by Mistake: and on Wednesday was at dinner at Bro. Selfe's wth. Mr. Methuen and Mr. Jacob Selfe besides his own family, and one Shorthose an Apothecary was wth, us some time in the Evening.

Friday 28th. I was at the Vestry this afternoon to receve the Overseers Acts, weh, are found to be very faulty and so not pass'd: afterwards wth. Bro. Selfe at Mr. Jacob Selfes about half an Hour.

Sunday 30th. Mr. Pierce preach'd this Afternoon on the 13th and 14th Verses of the 13 Chapt. of St. Jnos. Gospel. My Tenant Gibbs was wa, me at Shaw some little time after Sermon.

Munday, May 1st. This Morning early I set out for London, call'd at Nonsuch; and from thence to Sandy Lane where I took Place in the two days Coach and came to Newbury at Night.

Tuesday, 2nd. After a short time being in Bed we set forward on our journy and come to the Inn about nine where I could not get a Bed; so lodgd. at the Angel Inn behind St. Clements.

Wednesday, 3rd. About nine I set out about my affaires, was at Mrs Tuck's, and Mr. Selfe Norris's; call'd also at Mrs. Millner's Lodging who was gone out of Town, I din'd privately by myself and in the Evening entertain'd myselfe wth, a play.

Thursday, 4th. I was again wth. Selfe Norris, in Change Ally about my own Affair and at the S. Sea House and din'd with him. In the Evening I was wth. Mr. Jno. Thresher and Mr. Topps at the Tavern 3 or 4 Hours.

See History of Broughton Gifford and the Horton Pedigree there given, Wilts Mag., No. xv.

Friday 5th. I travel'd much about the Town in my Business, and in the Evening was at a Tavern wth. Mr. Josiah Diston,* Mr. William Lewis, Mr. Sadlier of Devizes, and Mr. Boucher to a late Hour.

Saturday 6th. I finish'd my Business in the Evening, took a Glass of Wine wth two of ye Gent. last mention'd and Mr. John Thresher. Sunday 7th. I was at Church twice, din'd wth, my Landlord, and in the Evening again at the Tavern wth. Mr. Hicks, Minister of Broughton,† the three Gent. last mention'd, and Mr. Henry Horton. There has been of late several irreligious Clubbs discover'd of which there is much talk, and indeed every one that I hear speaks of them wth, the utmost detestation as they duly deserve, such blasphemous Impieties having never been heard of and are not fit to be committed to paper. Several Persons of high Rank and of both Sexes are reported to be concern'd in them, the Governmt, has thought fit to issue a Proclamation for their Suppression which I heartily wish may have its Effect.

Munday 8th. After the same Manner as I came up I now set ont again for my own Home, and fortun'd to have pretty agreeable Company in both journeys. A Tradesman of Newbury, as he was riding between Maidenhead and Slough, either by an Apoplectick fit or disjoynting his Neck by the fall from his Horse, expir'd just as we pass'd by the Place. An Instance of the Uncertainty of Life and Monitor for our Behaviour in it.

Tuesday 9th. I took leave of my Company at Sandy Lane and call'd at Nonsuch, where were besides the family, Mr. Wallis, Mr. Lucas Selfe and Mr. Tho. Harnham, the 2 first mention'd came wth, me to Melkesham.

Wednesday 10th. 1 din'd at Beanacre wth, the 2 Gent. last mention'd and old Mr. Norris besides the family, also Mr. Jacob Selfe and his Bro. were wth. us, and all except the Clergy-Man who went away early, drank plentifully of Punch in the Evening, our discourse being of comon Matters and the Journy Mr. Wallis and Mr. Selfe are just now about to take to Rome, &c.

Thursday 11th. All the Gent. last mention'd din'd wth, me and also Sr. William Hanham, and our Living was much after the same Manner as Yesterday, I pray God forgive the Excesses.

Friday 12th. After Dinner I walked to Melkesham by Mistake, thinking a Meeting of the Parish to grant Rates for the Poor had been appointed as on this Day: So was wth. Mr. Jacob Selfe about an Hour and return'd.

Saturday 13th. All the Day I was privately at Home, Edw. Dick indeed was wth, me in ye Morning about an Horse, and after Dinner came Home, he having been wth, his Mast". Hele at Oxford.

Sunday 14th. Mr. Pierce preach'd this afternoon on the 8th Verse of the 5th Chapt. of ye Gospel of St. Matthew.

Munday, 15th. Mr. Long my Tenant was wth. me this afternoon.

Tuesday, 16th. Mr. Warne of Chippenham was here in Business just after Dinner; but I stay'd but a little wth. him, being just a going to Monkton Farley from whence I return'd in the Evening.

Wednesday, 17th. I was at Bath to see my Mother who yet is far from being

*Josiah Diston, M.P., Devizes, 1706, 1708, 1715.

+ There is reason for supposing that the Rector of Broughton, was nearly related to the learned Non Juror, Dr. George Hickes.

+ Norris of Nonsuch married a Selfe.