Six north country diaries - The MAN & Other Families

137
1718. Sept. 4tli. Went to Mr. Cowper's. Company there very
often says one of the servants. Dr. Bentley mucli respected aI)road,
they know only his learning—but we are prejudiced by his falling
out with his wife and such trivial domestic occurrences—very
remarkal)le his moderating at Dr. "Waring's act. One Lord
Willoughby is a divine. -"^
1718. Sept. 5th. Warwick town and church l)urnt not long
since—very tine now—exceeds Northampton. Sedgwick, -"'^ Stanhope,
and Hougliton-in-the-Spring, best livings in Durham. Mr. Howtson
neither carefull nor kind to his wife. Mrs. Simcoe—will not lett
out the child's money in his own name, etc. He had two suits when
he came, but not paid for—and no linneu— gott her money to pay
for 'em. Brags his place in Carlisle was worth 200/. per annum
Brig. Stanwix-"" turned him out because he had seized some wine of
his ; he waited three or four days to shoot him or stab him.
1718. Sept. 6th. Mr. Cowper and Turner came to us—he is a
great critick in architecture, etc. ; said this house was all blunder
and conundrum. Brother is to gett virginals for a guinea. He came
over to Rothbury about G. Storer—a guinea lost, and only he
handled it.
1718. Sept. 7th. Says that all's well enough so far with my
mistress, if I act my part well for the future. W. Wood is for the
school— proposes to go into orders, and to have 20/. per annum of
me, etc. Or go to uncle of Navestock, if his love-affair succeed not,
that he niav retire from the world, etc.
1718. Sept. 8th. Went to Harbottle Fair^'S—dined at Mr. Bell's
—Mr. Clennell sent for me to Mr. Alder's,2'9 etc. Uncle left me,
and., because I staid a little of Mr. Park, and was an hour or more
after him. he would scarce speak all next day.
1718. Sept. 9th. Mr. Clennell says he'll wash his hands of
Mr. Hall,-*^*^ will have nothing to do with him, nor contrilnite, etc.
he's too great with Mr. BelP^i—and so says Mr. Alder—uncle hi
effect called Bell brothei-—saying to him such as you and I should
not go to fairs, it gives offence, too secular, etc.
1718. Sept. 10th. Mr. Park told me that Mr. Lawson was enquiring
if it would be a match between Dolly and me—he swore by
his Maker, if it was, "since he has a good character, I'll make him a
bishop.' I told him it was a very material point to have one could
'-"'
Query, Hugh, fifteenth Baron Willoughby of Parham. Cf. Burke's
Extinct Peeraije, 3rd ed. p. 577.
'-"^^
Qiieri/, Sedgefield.
'" See p. 1.35, .lupra.
-•' '
Harbottle fair was, in days gone bj', the great event of the year in that
upland district.' Dixon, Upper Coqtietdale, pp. 195-196.
-'•'
For mention of Mr. Thomas Alder of Harbottle Peels, see Arch. Ad., 3rd
set. vol. V. p. 20.
•" Mr. William Hall, vicar of Alwinton, from 1719 to 1744.
-*'
Mr. James Bell, minister of the nonconformist church at Harbottle,
was buried at Alwinton, on tiie 1st May, 1736.