Six north country diaries - The MAN & Other Families

159
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nothing—Pray tell John Sim (?) to write aljout his son, and he that
is lit'ir to some estate in AUonhy. Pray pay Mrs. Dobhinson for my
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stockings—and my service— I've received your letter and Sir
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Christopher's, etc.'-^^^
1721. Dec. '2nd. The vineyard at Lord Salisbury's an excellent
thing—a high wall and slopes down and then another in half circles
in the midle, then a fine canal, then runs a river thro, round a
square platt and never overflows, and then a fine grove, full of birds,
nightingales, etc. Fine painting in altar-peice at Dunstable, etc.
1721. Dec. -Ith. Gott to Navestock — good fortune to find
Whickham people at Abridge, and so a guide to Navestock. My
uncle^^- will give me his living, if I'll reside, I said I would—it is
but 200/. per imnum. Uncle condemns brother's match, because no
money ready—he owes him 2,700/., and said he owed father money,
but would he confine his thoughts and projects—he is for setting
up a maker of anvils and an anchor smith. Uncle the doctor, said
he would be just like alderman Ridley, aiming at all things and
never rich, etc. Uncle blames the doctor for not coming to see
him—he knew he could not come to Oxon—seems to take it very
ill, etc. Uncle said Mr. Kay had made an ill sett^—the bailifs about
his father's house—had i or 500/. per annum, but all spent—a silly
good for nothing fellow—the uncle had left her about 150/. Mr.
Ray could smoak and drink stoutly—he said, when I told I could
smoak, but did not use it. He asked how long I staid at Rothbury
after uncle's decease, I said ten weeks or more ; but I had forgott,
it was four months. I sujjpose uncle the doctor had told him about
N.—for he had told him I was going to be married to Dr. Tod's
daughter—I said not— I had some thought of it, she being given out
a great fortune, etc.
1721. Dec. 5th. Uncle said brother's mistress was fitter for me
than him—he said little when I told him that Mr. Repington would
need send him some venison.—Little Jack challenges my horse and
says his uncle gave him it— I said it should be at his service. Uncle
has laid out near 1,000/. in building. I could not give such a state
of affairs between brother and aunt as inc[lose]d. Aunt took toll
of their meal, said I to uncle. Lord Wharton putt out an advertisement
describing Sunderland and offering 10 guineas reward to him
that would discover the man that made reflections on Loudon
Journal in the coffee house, he knew well enough, for he .saw
him, etc.
1721. Dec. 7th. Writt to Mrs. B. Repington— 'Pursuant to my
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promise, I will send you an account of my journey—had good
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journey to Coventrv', but made vaj self melancholy at night by
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Sir Christopher Musgrave of Edenliall, fifth baronet.
"- The Diarist's uncle, Richard ThomUnson, of Newcastle, afterwards of
London, merchant, seems to have settled at Navestock, where he is stated to
have been buried, circa 1726.
Abridge is on the river Roding, some four miles west of Navestock.