we were introduced to a genteel woman, who shewed us the house, in which we saw more rarities than I can recount; I shall therefore only remark, that on coming, away we gave her 2s. 6 d."
A great gap occurs here in the manuscript, many of the leaves having been lost, and when the diary is resumed, it is clear that things had not gone on well with some of the trustees and Master Gale, old Master Kent leading on the attack upon the schoolmaster.
"1758. Tuesday, 25th April.- I met the old man in the town, who, without any provocation on my part, or saying a word to him, loaded me with opprobrious language, and told me the report of the town was, that I was a drunken, saucy, covetuous fellow, and concluded with his Opinion, that I had neither good breeding or honesty. In answer, I disallowed the report the old man charged upon the town; I allowed there might be a little truth in my being covetuous, but as to drunkenness and sauciness, it was utterly false.
"May 6th.- I sent to Mr. Kine, of Ticehurst, the following letter:-
"'My dear Friend,- I was sometime ago told that the gentlemen of Ticehurst were intent upon fixing a salary for a charity school. If such a scheme should be revived, and it should be worth acceptance, I intend to make them the humble offer of my services, and I should be obliged to you to sound the minds of those Gentlemen you may fall in with, especially Mr. Medlicott and Mr. Noakes; who can tell but their estates are put into their hands for some such good purpose as this? It may appear odd to you, that, being the master of a school, I should seek after another. It is true I might save myself that trouble, if I could be mean-spirited enough to put up with all the indignities offered me by my antagonist, old Kent, a bare recital of which would fill a volume in folio. So far as you can be serviceable in it, I make no doubt but you will; should it ever be in my power to make good this kindness, I shall esteem myself happy in doing, it.
"'From, deare friend, yours sincerely.'
"10th.- Received a testimony of a death in our family
