A blessèd visitation

8-9 July, in the year of our Lord 2022

Up, and all day with Mr. and Mrs. Dick, old and dear friends who come last night from Durham in time for supper, which we had of some prauns that I had, and paster and tomaters in a tin, and many spices that I had in my cupboard; and greatly contented for them staying in my house, though I must be on my best behaviore for they are holy, being vicars, though Mr. Dick hath made a retirement of his vicarage; and mightily joyed to sit late and chat, and remenice upon friends present and past. After breakfast took boots, and by Mr. Jones coach to the sea, where walked a good walk in a great sunshine, and to the rocks where St. Patrick wrecked up, and having hid in a cave for an uncomfortable night decided that enough was enough and so built a little church to live in, with some nice pews and a font, and Mrs. Dick took a selfy of us all along the way, which I did not like because it made me look like I have no shoulders. By five a-clock, home, and made for Mrs. Dick a negrony, she feeling short of a cocktale or two, and by and by Mr. R. Owen come and joined us in my garden; and thence all for supper to the White Fort Arms on white Fort street, where a fine supper and all very merry, with a dish of rissoto of lobster and a crisped mussle at the bottom merriting especial note; and Mr. Dick and Mr. Jones in a great debate upon the virtews of varietys of Scottish strong water; and after to Mr. Owen’s ho., for digestifs. The night warm, and my mind perplexed again by strange dreams, which it hath been since the Covey plague come.

 

13 July, in the year of our Lord 2022

Up, and enter all my Journall for the few days past, having in my mind the passages I should write, though it troubles me whether to continue it, for I fear my life hath gathered to itself a mediocritie, and none shall read of it with aught more than mild endifference. Today we ought upon the great Zipped Wire in the quarry, which was to be with Mr. M. Jones and his sister and her husband, though the Covey broke out with them, so to September, which is a great disappoyntment.