Six north country diaries - The MAN & Other Families

130
1718. July 22nd to 27th. Uncle changed his mind of my going to
Horseley and has sent for Mr. Mitford—I told him I was afraid Mr.
Cowper might expect me and perhaps would not be prepared—he
made light of that, as if there yvus no occiasion to give him notice.
Mr. Hall told uncle Kobert Grey was often fudled, when he said
he thought Robert o'-Grey had got a sup, etc., no occasion for telling
that, i^roceeds from his tatling humour, etc. Mother sent three
shirts and butter—sister has no money, but will work the gown's
price out in doing things for me. Uncle tells he had a cheese from
uncle Reed, who has had many better present for him. Bought
cod, when salmon cheap. Had no meat last week, but what was
bought Friday week—it's a shame to tell the condition, etc.
1718. Aug. 1st. Went to Newcastle—Fireworks at Newcastle^^z
from Whitefryar Tower—saw them distinctly at Whickham. Very
few or no illuminations at night, unless in houses where some of the
general officers were.
1718. Aug. 2nd. The Dutch have taken three islands belonging
to us, and killed 600 men—and yet, say some, our king will
not dare call them to an account, it is like the business of Aboyne.^*^
Baker and Shaftoe244 told of Mr. Smith to Colonel Lyddale, that
he had spoken disrespectfully of their family, and that he valued
their business no longer—there was one present Avho witnessed they
were never mentioned all the night.
1718. Aug. 3rd. Eachard's history245 commended by Dr. Ellison.
Uncle says he never heard it commended before—he flags in his
Roman History, the two first volumes only good—Dryden corrected
his first volume which' made it excellent. Collier's History246 not
good—tho he rubs up his witt, and lards his book with sententious
and quaint exjDressions in most pages.
1718. Aug. Ith. Whiston247 beholden to Simon Ockley^^s for
his interpretation of some Syriac words, etc. Dined at John Orde's
—had sago—he will give but 2,500/., etc.—the daughter that had
been described to me by uncle Robert was not there-—agreed to come
to "WTiickham.
-* '
The rejoicings may have been on account of the Quadruple Alliance
which was completed at London on the •22nd July, 1718, and guaranteed the
succession of the reigning families of Great Britain and of France. Cf. Haydn's
Dictionary of Dait^, ' Quadruple Alliance.
-" Amboyna in the Moluccas, where the Dutch massacred the English in
1623.
"**
Probably George Baker of Crook and Elemore Cf. Surtees, Durham,
vol. ii. p. 358. Shaftoe was probably one of the Shaftos of Whickham. Cf.
Surtees, Durham, vol. ii. p. 246.
-^"
John Eachard, D.D. His Wo7-l-s were published at London in 1714.
2"=
Jeremy Collier. Ecchdaatical History of Great Britain, 1708.
2" William Whiston (1667-1752) author of Short Vieiv of the Chronology of
the Ohl Te>itament, etc., etc.
'-"
Simon Ockley, author of The Conquest of Syria, Persia and Egypt by the
Saracens, etc., etc.